We present these spots in the spot guide:
Little Chris wants to be picked up from Smaland.... This is how the announcement used to sound at a Swedish furniture store when I didn't feel like playing in ball paradise anymore. Halland, the region of western Sweden, sounds similar. However, Chris, who is no longer so little, doesn't want to be picked up there any time soon. There is no ball paradise, but there is a windsurfing paradise...
The journey north from the ferry harbour in Trelleborg already fulfils pretty much every Swedish cliché: moose on the roadside, not just on signs. Plus relaxed driving because of the speed limit and the very relaxed Swedes. Little red-painted houses everywhere and the Swedish flag waving in the wind. Forests, hills, small cosy villages and equally small and cosy harbours.
Swedish as a language doesn't seem completely foreign the first time you hear or read it. You can make sense of a lot of the signs. And if, like me, you find yourself at a loss in front of some signs, the next really friendly Swede is guaranteed to turn up and give you a warm welcome to his country when he realises that you're here for a visit.
The beaches are just as idyllic and organised. The motto "Safety First" can be seen on every stretch of beach in the form of a lifebuoy. And there seems to be a swimming ladder jutting out from the rocks into the water on almost every beach. There is obviously a large swimming scene in western Sweden that still goes into the water in autumn, while I tend to get out my thicker wetsuit. However, I'm here less for swimming than for surfing.
Windsurfing is a school subject in Sweden
The Kattegat, which means cat's hole, was categorised as a difficult sea area to navigate even in early times, partly due to the many shallows. However, it is precisely these that, when the wind is blowing in the right direction, sometimes create considerable waves within a few hours at a spot that only a short time before looked more like a duck pond. What used to be a sea area for real Vikings is now a playground for their descendants. The density of good windsurfers is astonishingly high. This may seem surprising at first glance, but it can be explained by the large number of surf spots for all skill levels and preferences. And also due to the fact that windsurfing is on the curriculum in many schools! And even a lack of wind doesn't stop the pupils from following the lesson plan. While the instructor teaches from a motorboat, it doesn't look like there are many truants during the windsurfing lessons.
Unfortunately, the wind isn't playing ball - it's the most beautiful autumn weather, but there's no autumn storm in sight. It doesn't help that the local surf shop is called "Surf Paradise". This leaves more time for sightseeing, such as the massive Varberg Fortress. The most important exhibit in the local history collection is a medieval bog body, the Bocktensmann. Well preserved by the peat, not only the clothing has been well preserved, but also the wooden stake with which this corpse was fixed to the ground through the heart. The idea that this was an early wind sacrifice has apparently not yet occurred to anyone...
Just when I was ready to start looking for suitable wooden pegs for the next wind sacrifice, the wind gods had mercy. At the end of August, beginning of September, most of the beach houses are mothballed, the restaurants close and you have plenty of space and peace and quiet to yourself. It's definitely not crowded on the water at this time either and the locals are happy to share their spots with anyone. After every surf session at one of the many spots along the coast, I realise more why the level of surfing here is so high. It's rare to find so much choice in a relatively small area, and the scenery is really beautiful too. Whether with slalom, freeride or wave equipment, the coast with its many nature reserves offers plenty of space and spots for every skill level. And in the end, a visit to Halland is like a visit to the aforementioned Swedish furniture store: you actually only wanted to buy tea lights, but then you keep coming back and go home with much more than you actually intended.
Spot guide Sweden - the best windsurfing spots at a glance
We have visited these spots for you, including areas with surf, but also great shallow water spots.
Båstad (1)
To the east of the harbour of the beautiful village is a wide sandy beach with parking spaces. There are a few fishing nets and stones in the water, the best wind direction is NW, then there can also be waves with wind from the left. But mostly a relaxed freeride and slalom spot. Infrastructure in the harbour, there are also plenty of nice restaurants and cafés.
Melbystrand (2)
An eternally long beach that can also be accessed by car. Most surfers meet at the surf café halfway to Båstad. With easterly winds there is flat water, all other wind directions offer slalom/freeride conditions, the waves are more suitable for jumping than for riding.
Västra Stranden (3)
Located in the centre of Halmstad, you'll find many locals who just want to get on a board. The conditions also offer something for almost everyone, from slalom/freeride to bump & jump. The backdrop is not particularly beautiful with an industrial ambience, but it can also have amazingly high waves - if you surf out a bit
Hamstad Simstadion (4)
Located right next to the harbour and therefore taking some getting used to, the spot offers a large standing area for beginners and freestylers and works in any wind direction, it only gets quite gusty in easterly directions. There are also nets in the water here.
Tylösand (5)
You can feel really safe here, as this is the headquarters of the Swedish lifeguards and their training centre! Very good for slalom and freeride, the Swedish regatta series has often been held here. Protected from swell by the offshore island in westerly winds, you can usually find good freeride and slalom conditions here. It can get very crowded here in summer, which also makes it more difficult to find a car park.
Ringenäs (6)
WSW to W there are waves for jumping and riding, and surprisingly large ones that are organised at the headland. Next to the headland, a very wide sandy beach offers enough space for freeriding and bump & jump - if the waves are not yet big enough. Large car park above the beach.
Vilshärad (7)
A wave spot on the northern side of the headland right next to Ringenäs, best wind direction is SSW. Sandbanks make for big waves when swell has built up in the Kattegat. There is also a rock not far from the beach just below the water surface, so be careful. The wind direction is also W-NW. Very beautiful long beach and a nature reserve. Car parks and infrastructure available.
Stranninge / Petters brygga (8)
There is a small sheltered beach right next to the pier, but there can be waves here in strong northerly winds. Otherwise it is more of a freeride and freestyle spot with shallow water and rocks at the southern end of the bay! No infrastructure, just a porta-potty and limited parking facilities.
Olofsbo (9)
About 20 kilometres south of Varberg, the bay with its sandy beach offers only a small standing area in south-easterly to westerly winds. The best wind direction is S/SE. In the north there can be nice ramps for jumping through a reef, but the bay is also popular with freestylers. Toilet and shower facilities on the beach, campsite around 900 metres from the beach: www.olofsbocamping.se/sv-SE
Träslövsläge/Läjet (10)
South of Varberg there are two very similar, large sandy bays, Apelviken and Träslövslage, right next to each other. Träslövslage is a beautiful bay with a large sandy beach. The spot is very versatile and, depending on wind strength and direction, offers great conditions for intermediates to wave experts. It is also perfect as an alternative spot when the cult spot Apelviken is overcrowded. However, the best wind direction is S-SE.
Apelviken (11)
The bay south of Varberg is something like the surfing centre of the region. Situated close to Gothenburg, A-Bay, as the Swedes call it, is centred on surfing. W-NW produce the best conditions here. The Varberg surf centre in the south of the bay offers rental and training. In the training area in the southern part of the bay there is a large standing area, perfect for beginners and intermediates. Like the entire bay, it has a fine sandy bottom. Directly in front of the surf centre, about 200 metres from the shore, there is a rock lurking underwater for fins. Depending on the wind direction, this spot is also a multi-spot, from relaxed freeride and slalom conditions to very good wave conditions, which always remain relaxed. There are beach huts to rent directly on the beach and a campsite.
Info about windsurfing in Sweden
Best time to travel
The Swedes have around nine weeks of summer holidays, which start in June and last until the end of July/beginning of August. This means that the beaches and neighbouring campsites are often full in summer. From mid-September onwards, it becomes much emptier and the frequency of low-pressure systems, which bring wind and waves, also increases significantly. As the water doesn't get really warm even in summer, a 4/3 wetsuit and a 5/3 wetsuit in autumn is a good recommendation. Shoes are not essential, as most of the beaches are sandy.
Journey
Sweden is a classic car/ motorhome destination. There are various ways to reach the region between Gothenburg and Malmö. Ferries run from Travemünde or Rostock to Trelleborg (www.ttline.de), from Kiel to Gothenburg (www.stenaline.de) or from Grenå (Denmark) to Halmstad (www.stenaline.de). Also via Fehmarn and Helsingør (www. scandlines.com) you can quickly get to the region (approx. 550 km from Hamburg).
Surf shops
- Surfshop Surfersparadise in Varberg, a huge shop with everything windsurfers, surfers, kiters, stand-up paddlers and skaters could wish for. Including repair service for boards & sails: www.surfers.se.
- There is a surf shop called Ohana in Halmstad; www.ohana.se
Wind and weather
Current wind readings from Varberg can be found here: www.holfuy.com and www.stormhuset.se
Accommodation
Camping is possible almost everywhere for a short time due to the Everyman's Right in Sweden, but please be sure to leave the place as you found it
At the spots where camping and overnight stays are not possible, this is clearly indicated on signs. As Varberg is a holiday hotspot in summer, there are plenty of campsites and accommodation, including directly at the spot. Some examples:
Most of the other spots also have campsites right by the water, usually with small bungalows to suit all budgets.
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