Windekind / West Flanders / Belgium

Good for kitesurfers and windsurfers of all abilities, this spot looks out over the North Sea but the conditions are a bit more easy to read than other parts of the coast.

The beach is big and sandy, just a wide open space with no real hazards so you can choose your own launching and landing points.  The climate is pretty much as you’d expect, with the water reaching about 20 C or so in summer and as low as 2 C in winter. So make sure you dress accordingly. 

The season here is in two sets, from March to May and then September to November, though the lighter summer winds are still useable if not as frequently.  In spring and autumn any wind strength is possible, and they usually come in with any nearby depressions, with the best direction being from the northwest.  The water conditions vary according to the tide, especially as it sits on a shallow plateau.  You’ll find a big area of flat water between low and high tide, choppy water at low tide, and if the swell is strong and the wind coming from the northwest you can expect some waves up to a couple of metres high at high tide. 

Parking is available close to the beach.  Rescue is available if you need it, and the beach has showers, toilets and food outlets. This is a quiet area so don’t expect much nightlife.

Stay out of the swimming only area, but there isn’t really anything here to call a hazard.