Sailing in the Netherlands

There really isn’t anything like a downwind ride. The wonderful feeling of riding waves, doing big airs, and cruising around without having to climb even a single meter. But what exactly is a downwind ride? What makes a downwind ride so fun? And what are some handy places to do downwind in the Netherlands?

What is a downwind?

A downwind trip is a trip along the coast where kite surfers ride the wind from spot A to spot B. You are therefore downwind, with the advantage that you do not have to climb up (upwind sailing). The only thing you need to arrange for a downwind trip is your transportation. It is of course ideal when someone is willing to pick you up or take you away. It is also an option to park a car at the spot where you are going to kite and then leave from your home spot. A downwind trip is often done with a group of kite riders, which also makes it very enjoyable and provides a degree of safety. Always be careful of each other. It is a good idea to have one experienced rider in front and one experienced rider behind. This way they can always help in case of emergency.

What makes a downwind so fantastic has plenty of reasons. From my own experience, I can say that it is perfect for wakeboarders, big air riders, and riders who just love cruising around. Because as a wakeboarder, you have to climb up every time, that’s a bit more annoying. With a downwind, you never have to worry about that; you can take a round after round without having to worry about anything. For big air riders who can easily fly 20 meters or more across the air with one jump, it also saves a lot of upwind sailing. Time for some big megaloop tricks, then. It’s also great for the regular rider. The alternation of jumping, cruising, and wakeboarding gives a good feeling.

Mystic Mega Downwinder

Once a year, around June, the Mystic mega downwinder is organized. This is a downwinder from Scheveningen to Zandvoort with stops in Katwijk and Noordwijk. Approximately 250 kayakers participate in this event. Every weekend in June is considered a wind window. This is a very cool event to participate in once in a while.

From Hoek to Helder

In addition, this year for the first time a kite marathon was held for the charity Hartstichting. HoektotHelder, a downwind race from Hoek van Holland to Den Helder with various stops in places like Scheveningen, Noordwijk and IJmuiden. This downwind race is about 130 kilometers and is only recommended if you are an advanced kite rider with equipment from 2015 or younger. This year almost 50,000 euros were raised.

Sailing downwind along the Wadden Islands

The most beautiful place to practice downwind in the Netherlands is, without a doubt, the Wadden Islands. With beautiful wide beaches, few surfers, better waves and stronger winds than in the rest of the Netherlands, the spots are wonderful. The only drawback is the somewhat cooler northern wind. Especially a trip from Texel from buoy 9 towards the lighthouse is highly recommended.

Next to this, there are beautiful downwinders to be found from Noordwijk towards Langevelderslag; compared to other spots, you can easily park at Langevelderslag for just 2.00 euros per day. If you want to make a slightly longer downwind, start from Scheveningen towards Noordwijk or even towards Zandvoort with a relaxed stopover in Noordwijk, which is about halfway along the route.

It is important to know that it is very dangerous to make a downwind run and to sail past IJmuiden. This is because it is very crowded here, due to the many large ships. This also applies to Hoek van Holland/Rotterdam; the fines you can get are very high. In Scheveningen you can still pass by the harbor; however, be careful! Here too it can be dangerous.

Parking spaces perfect for downwinders

• Noordwijk: Beethovenweg 10, 2202 AH Noordwijk (free parking). Only 300m from KSNoordwijk.
• Long Beach: Long Beach 20, 2204 AH Noordwijk (3.00 euros per day in summer and 2.00 euros per day in winter). Only 250m from the beach.
• Katwijk: Noordduinseweg 9, 2221 BL Katwijk Aan Zee (2 euros per hour, day pass from 10 euros and free on Sundays). Only 300m from Airtime Katwijk.
• Scheveningen Noord: Zwarte pad 2, 2586 HZ The Hague (1 March to 1 November: 2.60 per hour; in the winter, free). Only 250m from the beach.
• Scheveningen Harbour: parking in the harbour is still free in many places, but your car will then be left unattended. It is about a 5-minute walk towards the beach.
• Scheveningen South: Markenseplein, 2583 KR The Hague. Free parking about 5 minutes from the beach.
• Zandvoort: Free parking is virtually impossible in Zandvoort. Therefore, park the car on the promenade or in one of the parking areas/garages.
• Texel: introduce a parking vignette for 15.00 euros (valid for a year). Vuurtorenweg 189, 1795 LL De Cocksdorp Texel; Hoornderslag 8, 1797 RT Den Hoorn Texel (signpost 9).