Netherlands
Strand bij Ouddorp at Brouwersdam, in South Holland, is a kitesurfing spot located on a narrow beach north of the dam. It is a popular place for surfers for its waves and experienced kiters looking for a challenge. The setting is typical of the Dutch coast with its dunes and fine sandy beaches.
The kite area is located between opgangs 9 and 7, near the beach tent Iloon. Be careful, a protected sandbank is home to seals and is off-limits to kiters. It is a wild spot where surfers and kiters coexist.
Close to Brouwersdam, this spot complements the region's offerings with its more technical conditions due to the waves and strong current.
The wind data shown here comes from ERA5 (via Open-Meteo) over 4 years, reprocessed to reflect realistic conditions.
👉 Average wind has been calibrated to avoid the usual underestimation of models.
👉 Gusts have been corrected by a median ratio to avoid unrealistic extreme values.
👉 Each day is summarized by the median wind (P50) observed during useful hours (8am–8pm), then classified into wind ranges.
👉 The weighted mode mixes average wind and gusts to best reflect felt wind.
wave
chopThe Strand bij Ouddorp spot works well with winds from side-on to side-off coming from the W or NW, which are the dominant directions in the Brouwersdam area. These side-shore winds sweep the narrow beach from left to right, providing good power to ride out. The launch is directly from the fine sand between opgangs 9 and 7, but take care when taking off due to the visible groynes at low tide.
The water conditions vary greatly with the tides: at low tide, it is chop with shallow areas ideal for freestyle, but the stones are exposed and reduce space. At high tide, the waves rise up to 1-2m with a marked current, especially near the beach tent Iloon where the outgoing current is strong. The navigation area is marked, avoid swimming areas marked by yellow buoys to the north.
Local feature: high influx of surfers, so anticipate priorities. The beach is kite-friendly with free parking nearby, showers, and spots to rinse gear. Always check municipal signs for allowed areas.
Ideal conditions with wind 15-25 kts from W-NW, side-on, at high tide for rideable waves or low tide for choppy freestyle.
Water with waves of 1-2m non-breaking offshore, chop near the shore and small short waves at low tide. No pure flat, but comfortable conditions for experienced wave riding. Rarely at high tide, temporary flat of 10-20cm near the beach.
The current is strong, especially at low tide near the beach tent Iloon and around the groynes. Current of 0.75 knots or more with the outgoing tide. At high tide, it pushes out to sea. Check the tide forecasts, as it can shift quickly.
Opt for sizes 9 to 12m² in typical conditions of 15-25 kts. 7-9m² for windy days, 11-13m² when it's light.
The winds are frontal and thermal, with more than 50% of kiteable days per year. They typically blow from SSW to NW, average strength 15-25 kts. No specific local name, but the sea breeze enhances conditions during the day.
The climate in South Holland is oceanic, with moderate temperatures year-round: 5-10°C in winter and 15-22°C in summer. The best months for kiting are from April to October, when the wind is consistent and the sea is more forgiving. Mild but windy winters, cool summers ideal for long sessions.
Progressive depth with a sandy bottom and some shells. Shallow at low tide (shallow), you can stand for a long time, but watch out for stones.
Cold water: 8-12°C from April to October, 4-8°C in winter. A 5/3mm wetsuit or thicker is mandatory year-round.
