Every day of the year, water-loving people from home and abroad are tempted to pack the car with surf gear and head west. We understand that very well. The large selection of versatile surf spots, with good stable winds almost all year round, offers everything a surfer's heart could desire for both kitesurfers and windsurfers. The glories lie like pearls on a string, and the biggest challenge will be choosing today's surf spot. It is with good reason that the area has been voted Northern Europe's best surfing destination by several surf magazines.
Statistical guarantee of wind
There are two primary reasons why the weather gods generously blow winds over the west coast and Ringkøbing Fjord. The most frequent wind direction is west. The West Jutland characteristic, with treetops swaying so that you would think they were saying no to the weather gods, can be found all along the fjord.Statistically speaking, it just blows more days and with more force here than at other coastal areas in Denmark. The westerly wind gathers energy and strength out in the North Sea, so when it hits the coast, it is with full force, and then it diminishes the further inland it comes.
In addition, you can be lucky that spring brings thermal wind with it. The thermal wind can occur when the sea and fjord still have low temperatures after winter, and the sun has the power to heat up the land. The warm air over land rises into the air, while the cold air over water is drawn in towards land, and in this way the wind is created. A good trick to spot a thermal wind day is to be on the lookout for a calm morning with light winds from the east, which will drop at midday and then turn to the northwest in the afternoon and increase in strength. The thermal wind is difficult to predict, but if you are lucky to be on the spot, you will have a day of surfing that you almost only dare to dream about.
SURF SPOTS AT RINGKÖBING FJORD
WHITE SANDE NORTH:
Just north of Hvide Sande town you will find West Wind Nord with both a surf school, shop, café and bathing facilities. Here there is shallow fjord water, plenty of space and plenty of surfing atmosphere. Spotting works best in directions from northwest to south. Hvide Sande is a vibrant, authentic West Sea holiday town with shops, camping and a cozy and maritime environment with good restaurants and cafés. The town has an active fishing port and you can't beat yourself up for a portion of fish'n'chips there.
WHITE SANDE SOUTH:
The spot is located at the southern end of Hvide Sande, with Årgab Camping located on the opposite side of Vesterhavsvejen. Here there are bathing facilities, a cozy small surfing environment and a playground for the little ones. The spot works best in wind directions from north to south-west, and here you will find another West Wind surf school. See also Hvide Sande Nord in relation to city life.
Kloster:
The surf spot is close to Ringkøbing town and has good bathing facilities. Best sailed when the wind is northwest to east and can produce a small, fine wave. The spot is loved by many kite surfers because of the shallow flat water. In periods, however, eelgrass can be a challenge. This is where you will find really good conditions for racing with your windsurfing buddies. If you hit a windy day with wind from the north-west and bring a small kelp fin, you are almost guaranteed to reach the high speeds.
BORK HAVN:
At the bottom of the fjord lies Bork Havn with a small atmospheric holiday town as its centre. There is a small marina and West Wind surf school here, and the local grocery store is open every day of the year. If you want to spend the night with a view of the surf spot, you can rent holiday homes with a unique location. A large grass area ensures that the spot has room for both kitesurfers and windsurfers. Wind directions from south-west to north-east work here, and the spot is particularly suitable for families with children, with a large sheltered bay for the first 200 metres. The easy access to several different river systems provides many good opportunities for nature experiences on SUP.
HEMMET:
Here you will find a good spot that works in winds from south to northeast with waist-deep water 300 m out into the fjord. There are a small number of holiday homes in a scenic area, and the spot is not yet that well known.
SKAVEN:
There is a good campsite here that specializes in every surfer's needs. The surf spot is a stone's throw from the square and has large grassy areas right down to the water. The best wind directions are south to northeast.
SURF FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Text: Gitte and Jesper Skov Nielsen
For the Skov Nielsen family, which in addition to father and mother consists of Maja and Emil aged eight and 11, Ringkøbing Fjord provides the opportunity for the whole family to be on the water together.When spring begins to announce itself in March/April, and the water temperature in the Danish waters gradually begins to rise, the surf abstinence really kicks in. The first steps in the morning are directed towards the terrace door, from where you can glimpse the pennant on the flagpole and quickly get an impression of the day's wind direction and strength. Wind and weather forecasts for the day and the coming days are checked more and more often, and we often have a chat about the wind during breakfast. When we go in search of new surfing experiences, we often look towards Ringkøbing Fjord, as it is a unique area for water sports experiences. Here you can always find a spot for windsurfing, SUP, surfing, kayaking or whatever you want, regardless of the weather. With the wetsuit on, it's always fantastic weather!
Bork Havn is a family favourite
We very often drive to Bork Harbor at the bottom of Ringkøbing Fjord, as the conditions in this part of the fjord contribute to the fact that all of us in the family can be on the water together and share good as well as challenging experiences. In addition to windsurfing in many different wind directions in Bork Havn, the shallow water depth in the area has certainly made it easier for our children to have good experiences with water activities in general. At the same time, there is plenty of opportunity to meet other children, young people and adults with an interest in windsurfing - not least on Thursdays, when windsurfers of all ages gather for a few good hours on the water. And when the cold creeps in under the wetsuit, a hot shower in the changing facilities is a pleasure. Then the day on the water is often extended by an hour or two, where experiences can be shared and friendships made with other water sports enthusiasts who gather in Bork Havn.A LIFE LIVED ON THE FJORD
Text: Jørgen Klysner Riis 
What makes Ringkøbing Fjord special? I have often asked myself that. Why is it that for the past 30 years I have prioritized making the trip west?
In the beginning, the trip was from Holstebro, but today the trip has become somewhat longer, namely from Munkebo on Funen. However, the trip has never felt long due to the joy and anticipation of what the fjord has to offer. When I go on the water with my son Mickey, we often start at 6.00 in the morning, when the last things are put in the trailer, the coffee mugs are placed between the seats for three hours on the country road in the direction of the surfing paradise.
Whether it is Bork Havn in the south, Hvidesande in the middle or Kloster in the north, my anticipation and joy are always great. Ringkøbing Fjord is something very special to me. Being able to spend several days on the water with my boy and many good friends from all over the country is nothing short of fantastic. Putting my feet in the straps, leaning back, letting my eyes follow the clouds at the same time as I speed on the flat water along the coast and feel the wind on my face. For me, it is a form of meditation, pure health for soul and body. The fantastic fjord which offers surfing in all wind directions, speed surfing on flat water, relaxing surfing along the coast, SUP in creeks and streams, the cable car for the few days when there is no wind, yes, everything you dream of to have a fantastic day, is present.
Ringkøbing Fjord is the playground for children and adults, young and old, beginners or professionals. The place where you can always get help and guidance to learn to surf, rig the gear correctly and get good advice on what to buy in the well-stocked WestWind stores, where you have the opportunity to buy new and used surf equipment. And then there is always coffee on the pot and time for a cozy chat. As often happens for three days when we go on a trip, so when we turn our noses back home, the body is always well used and the arms are long, but it is always with a big smile on the face and a joy in the heart to once again have been to the west coast's little paradise.
