Netherlands

Strand Horst

Strand Horst is a freshwater watersports spot located on the Wolderwijd (part of the Veluwerandmeren/border lakes), between Ermelo and Harderwijk in the Gelderland region of central Netherlands, directly accessible from motorway A28. The water is extremely shallow — standing depth up to roughly 1.5 km from shore — delivering almost entirely flat water with no current or significant waves, making it one of the safest and most popular windsurfing, kitesurfing, wingfoiling, and SUP spots in the Netherlands. The best wind directions are SW, W, NW, N, and NE; wind from the N tends to be the most stable, while E and SE winds are gusty and push riders towards the shipping channel. The spot is divided into designated zones: the kite area (marked by yellow buoys) is to the south of the central facility building, while the larger windsurf area extends to the north towards the Harderwijk woodland. On-site infrastructure is extensive and operated largely under the Leisurelands recreation ground: **Telstar Surfschool** offers IKO-certified kitesurf, windsurf, and SUP lessons as well as equipment rental and test sessions, while **Telstar Surfshop** — described as one of the largest surf and kite shops in the Netherlands — sells and rents gear from brands such as Duotone, Fanatic, and Severne. For food and drink, **Drift Beachclub** (beach club/restaurant with a large waterfront terrace, local menu, and seasonal events) is situated on the same Leisurelands grounds, and there are additional catering points plus a full marina (Jachthaven Strand Horst, ~500 berths) on site.