Pro: Julian Wiemar's favourite thing to date is standing wild
"Camping: where you spend a small fortune to live like a homeless person." Okay, this saying is perhaps a little exaggerated, but when I set off in my van, I don't do it because I like living in ten square metres, but because I want to be completely independent and flexible. The moment I have to worry about availability, prices and check-in times at campsites, the appeal is lost on me. During the day, I usually don't even know where I'll be staying later, because the wind and wave forecast doesn't tell me until the evening before. Then I'm often so tired from surfing that I just want to switch off the engine on the way there and crawl back into bed.
A forest car park, for example, where I don't disturb anyone and vice versa, absolutely fulfils the purpose. I just make myself a nice coffee there in the morning and then I'm on my way to the right spot for the day. Should I one day become calmer when it comes to surfing and perhaps have a bigger van and family, my opinion will most likely change faster than I can look - and then I too will fall back on our Camping Special and relax in a nice spot by the water - while the satellite system on the roof goes out.
Contra: Tobi Frauen has already discovered some campsite gems
The thought of permanent camping ghettos full of garden-covered pitches and giant mobile homes with satellite dishes makes my skin crawl. Nevertheless, we almost always head for campsites in our van. The night is simply more relaxed when you know you're legally parked and there's no sudden knock on the door. What's more, it's almost impossible to spend the night in the really beautiful places: it's either expressly forbidden or excluded by height restrictions. And you can't leave your surf gear, bikes or small items in front of the bus either.
Campsites, on the other hand, are getting better and better in many places and have become much fresher and more individualised in recent years. With a relaxed vanlife style, they are bringing back at least a touch of the romantic freedom of camping. If you do a little research, you will often find very lovingly managed, natural sites - sometimes even without meticulous parcelling out, so you can always find a great spot. And quite simply, showering and washing up is much more convenient. And if you can get out on the water without having to pack everything and move the camper, the whole family is perfectly happy. For us, it's simply the better overall package than staying in a free-standing caravan!
What do you prefer - wild camping or camping site? Write to us at redaktion@surf-magazin.de
- Camping by the water: From bed to board - camping tips in Italy
- Camping right by the surf spot - the best places in Croatia
- Campsites for surfing - from bed to board in Denmark
- Campsites for windsurfers, wingers and paddlers in northern Germany
- Camping tips right by the spot: campsites for surfers in the Netherlands
Julian Wiemar
Editor surf
