Kitesurfers off the Brouwersdam near Scharendijke

A line of kites over the Brouwersdam beach

A busy day of kites and riders at the Brouwersdam

The North Sea beach along the Brouwersdam

Chapters / Europe Open, 1 of 1 remaining

Ride Brouwersdam, keep it open

A dam between two islands, with the North Sea on one side and Europe's largest saltwater lake on the other. Riders pick their side by the wind.

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383 riders call this homeKite, WingBrouwersdam

Everything you need to know about Brouwersdam

Live conditions

Why riders love it

What brings people here, from the people who manage it and the people who ride it.

Low pressure over the British Isles brings west to southwest winds along the coast, often followed by northwest to north. Spring and autumn are best; early summer has planing wind on about a quarter of days.
Behind the dam, the Grevelingen covers about 140 km² originally, and about half of it is shallow. Easterly winds can work there when they are strong enough.

Sources: surf Magazin

See the wind right now

Access and rules

Local governments and environmental agencies set the terms. The chapter works with them, not around them.

The Municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee sets zones for kitesurfing and other extreme sports; boards on the beach show where kiting is allowed.
Large kites are strictly prohibited in the busiest areas. The swim area near the Brouw pavilion is marked with yellow buoys and closed to extreme sports.
Jet skis are banned within 100 m of the shoreline.

Sources: Ouddorpse Reddingsbrigade

Help hold the launch

Ecology and habitat

Protected lagoons, wetlands and the species that depend on them. Stewardship days keep launches clean inside the protected zones.

The Grevelingen is Europe's largest saltwater lake, and about half of it is shallow.
When the Council of State annulled the Brouwerseiland development in April 2019, it cited the lack of study into effects on wind, surfer access and nearby seal resting places.

Sources: surf Magazin; Raad van State

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Good to know

Location, facilities and history.

The Brouwersdam runs between Goeree-Overflakkee and Schouwen-Duiveland, separating the North Sea from the Grevelingen.
The main kite area is near the Natural High shop at the level of Center Parcs Port Zélande, and at the Bula beach pavilion.
Leashed dogs are allowed between poles 11.50 and 21 from May 1 to October 1, 10:00–19:00.
Beach pavilions, a kite shop and schools line the dam.

Sources: Ouddorpse Reddingsbrigade; Raad van State; Ouddorpse Reddingsbrigade; surf Magazin

Meet the riders

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Schools that teach on this water

KBC Brouwersdam (Kiteboarding Club)Zeil & Surfcentrum Brouwersdam

Brouwersdam

Behind the dam lies the Grevelingen, Europe's largest saltwater lake at 140 km² originally.

Source: surf Magazin

Know the spot

Brouwersdam

Southwest to northwest winds hit the coast, and early summer brings planing wind on ~1 in 4 days .

Source: surf Magazin

Know the spot

Brouwersdam

North Sea on one side of the dam, flat lake water on the other. Pick your side by the wind.

Know the spot

Why Brouwersdam needs a chapter

Europe

The Brouwersdam closes off the Grevelingen from the North Sea. When southwest to northwest winds blow, the sea side gets kites and waves; on easterly days riders cross to the flat lake behind. Schools, shops and beach pavilions line the dam, and it draws riders from Rotterdam and beyond.

383riders call this home

2local schools teach on this water

Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Brouwersdam chapter, World Wind Sports

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Europe

That popularity puts the space under pressure. The municipality zones the beach, keeping swimmers behind yellow buoys and big kites out of the busiest stretches. In 2019 the Council of State struck down a plan for 13 artificial islands and 300 villas beside the dam, in part because no one had studied what it would do to the wind and access for surfers.

383riders call this home

2local schools teach on this water

Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Brouwersdam chapter, World Wind Sports

Back this chapter

Europe

A chapter gives the riders of the Brouwersdam a standing voice for the next plan and the next zoning review: a group that knows the beach, helps keep the zones working, and makes sure the wind is counted before anything is built in its way.

383riders call this home

2local schools teach on this water

Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Brouwersdam chapter, World Wind Sports

Back this chapter

Photographer credits Back this chapter

The riders, schools and crew of Brouwersdam

Riders from Scharendijke, Brouwershaven, Ouddorp, Renesse, Burgh-Haamstede, Zierikzee, Goes, Middelburg, Vlissingen, Hellevoetsluis, Spijkenisse, Rotterdam, Schiedam, Vlaardingen, Dordrecht and the schools that teach them.

See the rider directory Talk on the board

KKBC Brouwersdam (Kiteboarding Club)Local school teaching on this waterZZeil & Surfcentrum BrouwersdamLocal school teaching on this waterWWSThe chapterHolds the line on access: one standing voice with whoever manages the launch.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship days, so the people who manage the beach see riders as an asset.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends, so riders are trained and self-policing.KKBC Brouwersdam (Kiteboarding Club)Local school teaching on this waterZZeil & Surfcentrum BrouwersdamLocal school teaching on this waterWWSThe chapterHolds the line on access: one standing voice with whoever manages the launch.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship days, so the people who manage the beach see riders as an asset.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends, so riders are trained and self-policing.

rick van der leerInstructor Level 2, Rotterdam

Rick OostInstructor Level 1, Rotterdam

Alice DijkstraInstructor Level 2, Rotterdam

Alain VogelsInstructor Level 2, Rotterdam

Lieuwe MeijersInstructor Level 1, SCHARENDIJKE

Pippa HeijkantsInstructor Level 1, Schiedam

Felix SchoutenInstructor Level 1, Hellevoetsluis

Gianluca Campanale CampanaleInstructor Level 1, Rotterdam

Sibren van KeulenInstructor Level 1, Goes

Kelvin WageveldInstructor Level 1, Hellevoetsluis

Merijn de GijselInstructor Level 1, Goes

Thomas van HunnikInstructor Level 1, Rotterdam

Vincent EichholzInstructor Level 1, Middelburg

Rishie RamadhinLevel 4Q, Rotterdam

Celie VoetsAssistant, Rotterdam

Tim de HaanAssistant, Rotterdam

Daan van der helmLevel 3K, Rotterdam

Alexandra JoonLevel 4W, Rotterdam

Kees VerweijLevel 3J, Rotterdam

Louisa WolfLevel 3L, Rotterdam

Puck Kruythoff KruythoffLevel 3J, Rotterdam

Rob van de VlietLevel 3N, Rotterdam

Andrea Cerqueda GarciaLevel 3K, Rotterdam

Vera KingmaLevel 3N, Rotterdam

Amelie TonneauLevel 3N, Rotterdam

Cezanne BrammerlooLevel 2I, Rotterdam

Fernanda MoyaLevel 3L, Rotterdam

Julia KleiserLevel 3K, Vlissingen

Lisa OppenoorthLevel 3J, Rotterdam

Michael BermeoLevel 3L, Rotterdam

Benjamin KotekLevel 3L, Rotterdam

Josefien de windLevel 2G, Rotterdam

Santiago CasaltaLevel 3K, Rotterdam

Pieter De PlanqueLevel 4X, Rotterdam

Susanne de BoerLevel 3L, Rotterdam

Katarzyna PotoczekLevel 2I, Dordrecht

Laura Molina GrandeLevel 3J, Rotterdam

Max EidhofLevel 3N, Rotterdam

Mariette van gilsLevel 2I, Schiedam

Veerle LubbersLevel 3K, Rotterdam

rick van der leerInstructor Level 2, Rotterdam

Rick OostInstructor Level 1, Rotterdam

Alice DijkstraInstructor Level 2, Rotterdam

Alain VogelsInstructor Level 2, Rotterdam

Lieuwe MeijersInstructor Level 1, SCHARENDIJKE

Pippa HeijkantsInstructor Level 1, Schiedam

Felix SchoutenInstructor Level 1, Hellevoetsluis

Gianluca Campanale CampanaleInstructor Level 1, Rotterdam

Sibren van KeulenInstructor Level 1, Goes

Kelvin WageveldInstructor Level 1, Hellevoetsluis

Merijn de GijselInstructor Level 1, Goes

Thomas van HunnikInstructor Level 1, Rotterdam

Vincent EichholzInstructor Level 1, Middelburg

Rishie RamadhinLevel 4Q, Rotterdam

Celie VoetsAssistant, Rotterdam

Tim de HaanAssistant, Rotterdam

Daan van der helmLevel 3K, Rotterdam

Alexandra JoonLevel 4W, Rotterdam

Kees VerweijLevel 3J, Rotterdam

Louisa WolfLevel 3L, Rotterdam

Puck Kruythoff KruythoffLevel 3J, Rotterdam

Rob van de VlietLevel 3N, Rotterdam

Andrea Cerqueda GarciaLevel 3K, Rotterdam

Vera KingmaLevel 3N, Rotterdam

Amelie TonneauLevel 3N, Rotterdam

Cezanne BrammerlooLevel 2I, Rotterdam

Fernanda MoyaLevel 3L, Rotterdam

Julia KleiserLevel 3K, Vlissingen

Lisa OppenoorthLevel 3J, Rotterdam

Michael BermeoLevel 3L, Rotterdam

Benjamin KotekLevel 3L, Rotterdam

Josefien de windLevel 2G, Rotterdam

Santiago CasaltaLevel 3K, Rotterdam

Pieter De PlanqueLevel 4X, Rotterdam

Susanne de BoerLevel 3L, Rotterdam

Katarzyna PotoczekLevel 2I, Dordrecht

Laura Molina GrandeLevel 3J, Rotterdam

Max EidhofLevel 3N, Rotterdam

Mariette van gilsLevel 2I, Schiedam

Veerle LubbersLevel 3K, Rotterdam

iSportsKite, WingiWind spotBrouwersdamiKnow thisBrouwersdam, between Goeree-Overflakkee and Schouwen-Duiveland, Zeeland/South Holland.iKnow thisSouthwest to northwest North Sea winds; flat Grevelingen water behind the dam.iKnow thisMunicipal zones separate kiting from swimmers; large kites are banned in the busiest areas.iSportsKite, WingiWind spotBrouwersdamiKnow thisBrouwersdam, between Goeree-Overflakkee and Schouwen-Duiveland, Zeeland/South Holland.iKnow thisSouthwest to northwest North Sea winds; flat Grevelingen water behind the dam.iKnow thisMunicipal zones separate kiting from swimmers; large kites are banned in the busiest areas.

Live conditions

Wind right now at Brouwersdam

Full forecast

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Your gift keeps the chapter running and the beach cared for: cleanup supplies, signage, certification weekends and the costs of being the group the park can call.

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