The contrast is quite something - just an hour before, I was still sitting in the garden in a T-shirt at just under 20 degrees. Now, less than 100 metres from the Danish border, it's pouring with rain and the thermometer reads nine degrees. "Did I actually pack my hat and shoes?"
Just a few kilometres from our destination of Hanstholm, the rain stops as suddenly as it started and the sun breaks through the clouds - pure anticipation! The longed-for view from the hill down to the spot shows an offshore wind and a few lines making their way into the bay. After a few weeks without low pressure weather and waves, we gratefully accept this little warm-up session - just like an estimated hundred other windsurfers who have made their way north. As the evening progresses, the waves slowly improve, but the conditions are less consistent due to the frontal weather. Glaring sunlight alternates with rain showers, the wind goes up and down. One minute you're racing around, five minutes later you're bobbing along again in what feels like three force winds. Nevertheless, everyone enjoys finally having North Sea waves under the board again. We leave the water at around 21:30. Sunset is currently only at 22:20, but we don't want to waste all our energy in the warm-up session. And the forecast for the coming Sunday promises another upgrade.
The morning spot check brings certainty - the forecast was not exaggerated. Logo-high set waves roll into the bay, the offshore wind blows the crests of the waves backwards. We rig sails between 4.2 and 4.5 and lose no time getting out on the water. The way through the surf is sometimes hard work, as it is gusty under land and large mountains of water regularly block the way. Once out, however, you can surf fully powered up, sit down on one of the set waves and, with a bit of luck, make several turns on the smoothly blown faces. In contrast to yesterday, there are far fewer people out there, which is probably due to the selective conditions. There are still occasional showers today, but overall the conditions are much more consistent than the day before and the sun does its best to make the still very spring-like temperatures bearable. When we come off the water after two sessions lasting several hours, it's already frighteningly difficult to get over the dune with the equipment. My fellow rider Klaus holds the coffee cup with pointed fingers on the descent because of the blisters. We take a last look down from the hill into the bay, where endless lines are still coming in and some surfers are riding the waves. After a ten-minute drive, it's pouring with rain again.
