Dutch Delta Coast, Netherlands

About Dutch Delta Coast

The Zeeland and South Holland delta is where Dutch kitesurfing lives: a coastline rebuilt after 1953 into dams, inlets and sheltered lakes, each of which happens to make excellent riding water.

Brouwersdam is the centrepiece, with a lake side on the Grevelingen and a sea side on the North Sea, joined by the dam itself. The lake side is flat, shallow and largely free of tide; the sea side gives waves, and currents of two to three knots on a spring tide. It works best on south-westerly to westerly wind at 15 to 28 knots and above — and not at all in an easterly, when both sides blow offshore. April to June and September to October are the best months; July and August are crowded and often windless.

Rockanje, further north on Voorne, is the other main spot: shallow water shelving gradually, suitable for beginners and freestyle alike. Note that kiting there is permitted only from October through April.

The water is cold. Winter here means a 5/4 wetsuit as a minimum, and the reward is strong, reliable wind on a coast an hour from Rotterdam.

When to go

Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December.

Kite areas

2 distinct riding areas documented within this destination.

• Brouwersdam

  Best months: April, May, June, September, October.

• Rockanje

  Best months: October, November, December, January, February, March, April.