Lake or sea? Created when land was reclaimed from the former Ijsselmeer, the Gooimeer and Veluwemeer are located between the province of Flevoland and Gelderland, which were reclaimed from the water. And since "sea" actually means "lake" in Dutch, the "Zuiderzee" became today's Ijsselmeer after the dykes were built. Because "sea" in Dutch means lake, i.e. inland lake. All clear? So the Veluwe and Gooimeer are actually inland lakes, and you will notice this clearly when you take your first involuntary sip of water due to the lack of salt content. The question remains as to why so many surfers from the west of the country travel to Holland every windy weekend to surf on an inland lake? Where else can you find a lake more than 20 kilometres long and several kilometres wide, mostly shallow, without waves, wind-safe and with a perfect surfing infrastructure? It is therefore not surprising that the most famous spot on Lake Veluwe, Strand Horst, is packed in the high season. But it's all the more surprising that just a few kilometres further on, at Gooimeer, it's almost deserted apart from a few Dutch locals and comparable spot conditions. Time to change that.
General information:
Wind, weather & neoprene recommendations:As is usual throughout northern and central Europe, a windy weekend in Holland is also linked to the passage of low-pressure systems. These develop over the Atlantic and then move eastwards. Most of the lows pass through in the winter months, but westerly winds are not uncommon in summer either. In addition, stable easterly winds regularly establish themselves between March and June, bringing the region's spots to life with sunshine - the sunniest month is in fact May - and tolerable temperatures. Air and water temperatures average 17-18 degrees in summer, so a short or 4/3 long sleeve is sufficient. However, when lows pass through, the temperatures can become cool even in midsummer, so a thick 5/3 and shoes are advisable, as in the off-season. The water temperatures of Lake Gooi and Lake Veluwe adapt more quickly to the air temperature than the open North Sea due to the shallow water - for better or worse. The spots are also well frequented in winter. This is partly due to the fact that Holland often gets a warm breeze from the Gulf Stream and the temperatures are significantly higher than in western or northern Germany, and partly due to the shallow water depths of the spots. Thanks to the huge standing areas, you can still surf safely even in cold temperatures - just get on and go again.
Living & Camping:Wild camping is generally prohibited in Holland and in such a densely populated country it is difficult to find secluded places to spend the night anyway. Offences are punishable by severe fines of up to 100 euros, and the local campsites are much cheaper. There are also countless campsites, holiday resorts and flats around Veluwe- or Gooimeer, often right on the spot.
You can find a selection here:
Gooimeer/Almere:
- Camping Waterhout ( www.waterhout.nl )
Huizen:
- Camping De Woensberg ( www.woensberg.nl )
- VeluwemeerStrand Nulde:Strandparc Nulde ( www.strandparcnulde.nl )
Harderwijk:
- Telstar Surfhotel ( www.telstarsurf.de )
- Camping De Konijnenberg ( www.campingdekonijnenberg.nl )
- Camping De Peperkamp ( www.depeperkamp.nl )
Nunspeet/Bad Hoophuizen:
- DroomPark ( http://droomparken.de )
- Camping De Oude Pol ( www.deoudepol.nl )
- Camping Polsmaten ( www.campingpolsmaten.nl )
Veluwemeer north side:
- Bungalowpark De Boschberg ( www.boschberg.com )
- Aquacentrum Bremerbergse Hoek ( www.aquacentrum.nl )
- Camping Molekaten ( www.molecaten.de )
- RCN Vacantiepark Zeewolde ( www.rcn.nl )
Surf schools:Hardly any other area is as well developed for windsurfers as the Veluwe and Gooimeer region. There are several well-equipped windsurfing schools over a distance of just under 20 kilometres where you can take courses or hire surfing equipment and SUP boards.
Gooimeer/Eemmeer:
- Watersport & Beachclub ( www.watersportcenter.nl )
Veluwemeer Harderwijk/Strand Horst:
- Telstar Surfclub ( www.telstarsurf.nl/telstar-surfclub )
- Bad Hoophuizen: Windy Waters ( www.windywaters.nl )
Bremerbergse Hoek:
- Surf & Catcamp Veluwemeer ( www.surfcamp-veluwemeer.de )
Surfclubs Almere Haven:
- Almere Centraal ( www.almerecentraal.nl )
- Huizen: Surfclub Gooimeer ( www.surfclub.nl )
Surfshops Harderwijk/Strand Horst:
- Telstar ( www.telstarsurf.de )
Downsides:During the summer months, seaweed can spoil the surfing fun somewhat, so it makes sense to bring an appropriate fin with you, especially as this could also save you a few skidding falls due to the shallow water in the shore area.
Alternative programme At the eastern end of Harderwijk, easily recognisable by its blue dome, is the Dolfinarium, a large amusement park with the dubious main attraction of trained dolphins. However, if you want to pay a visit to the lively city with its old buildings and long shopping streets: You can park for free for the first two hours in the central multi-storey car park! From Huizen am Gooimeer, it's less than 45 minutes to the beautiful city centre of Amsterdam
Veluwemeer & Gooimeer - the best windsurfing spots
Gooimeer
1) Almere-Haven
If you want to have plenty of space on the water and only want to share the great flat water with a few friendly locals for heating, jibing and tricks, this is the place for you. The standing area ends after 30-50 metres, so that large fins can also be used. Apart from a little boat traffic, there are no obstacles to worry about. In summer, there is sometimes increased algae growth, which can spoil the surfing experience - pack your seaweed fin! The beach is signposted from the Almere-Haven exit. For the satnav: Gooimeerdijk-West, Almere-Haven. Parking is available on a car park strip on the dyke, where you can park almost directly at the spot. There are several bars and restaurants, toilets and showers in the marina a little further east. There is also a brasserie close to the surf beach. The Almere Centraal surf club (www.almerecentraal.nl) is open at weekends and in the evenings during the week.
2) Huizen
The sign "Dus alleen voetgangers" ("Only for pedestrians") actually refers to the footpath that runs along the Gooimeer and its reed-covered banks, but also applies to surfers with longer slalom or race fins: Due to the depth of the water, a 100 metre walk is required. This means that intermediates can practise very safely here, while experts can have fun further out. However, the shallow water depth in the shore area is the only similarity with Lake Veluwe; the Gooimeer is shared with a handful of local surfers at best. There is also plenty of space on land with wind-protected meadows for rigging and car parks, but no showers and only a few toilets. The local surfers are happy to see new faces at the spot and we were given a very friendly welcome at the Gooimeer surf club (www.surfclub.nl). After a day of surfing together, including a rescue operation after a broken mast, we were well integrated and ended the day at the surf club's barbecue.
Veluwemeer
3) Nulde beach
excellent alternative spot to Strand Horst. The fact that it never gets crowded here is probably also due to the fact that kiting is prohibited here. After a standing area close to the shore, you can even get a few jumpable chops in front of the bow further out in the fairway. You can park directly at the spot, the access is not far to the south of the small harbour and campsite De Nulde.
4) Harderwijk/Strand Horst
You can get out on the water here, at probably the best-known spot in the region, in almost any wind direction. SW or NE are ideal, as they blow sideshore. But even with W or NW winds, the water remains relatively smooth despite onshore winds. Easterly and southerly winds, on the other hand, are offshore and gusty. The entrance is sandy and you can only think about getting on the board after about 100 metres. It remains very shallow for a very long time. Watch out for shipping traffic with right of way in the fairway! There are some wooden poles in the water to the left of the island. The infrastructure is perfect: in addition to the surf shop and surf school, there are also a number of restaurants, showers, toilets and a meadow for rigging up at the entrance to the surfing area - so the 5 euro parking fee is definitely justified. Local tip: If the wind is calm, we recommend a cycle tour into the heath and forest landscape of the Hoge Veluwe park.
5) Bad Hoophuizen
This spot offers comparable conditions to the main spot at Strand Horst - mostly waist-deep shallow water where beginners and freestyle experts alike can hone their manoeuvres. With long fins, you should first lay a little further out, but then there is also plenty of space for long strokes and manoeuvres. SW to W winds are ideal, but W or NW winds are also usable and only slightly gusty. There is a nice sandy beach on site, a meadow for rigging and even a surf school where you can take lessons. Access here is via the Droompark Bad Hoophuizen campsite. About 500 metres to the east, there is also an access point with the same orientation and comparable spot conditions: In front of the De Oude Pol campsite, you can enter the water via a small sandy beach to the left of the small harbour.
6) Bremerbergse Hoek
The north side of Lake Veluwe also offers good surfing opportunities, the conditions are basically no different from the main spots on the south side: here too there are large standing areas and the finest flat water, one advantage can be that winds from E to SE come through more freely here and blow sideshore from the left. Conversely, you'll be in for a surprise if the wind blows from the west or north-west, as it comes over land and is therefore quite gusty. Access here is via the Aquacentrum Bremerbergse Hoek, where the Surfcamp Veluwemeer, a surf and catamaran school that also rents out SUP boards, is located in a small bay. Another good alternative spot on the north side is Flevostrand, opposite Harderwijk. The SW and E are also good here, but you won't find a large standing area here.
