When visiting The Hague, don’t be surprised if you spot a surfer in a wetsuit on a bike, board under his arm. Although the weather can be unpredictable, Scheveningen, the most popular beach area of the city, is a real surfer’s paradise. Even in winter, when it’s freezing outside, you can see the surfers on their boards, bobbing up and down on the ways like resting seagulls.

The most popular hotspot for surfers is on the northern part of the Scheveningen boulevard, near the harbor. That’s where the best waves are. That’s also where you will find several surfing clubs, like Hart Beach. They rent out gear, give lessons and have a shop where you can buy your own materials. You can even have a bite and a (hot) drink, to warm up after a cold hour in the sea.

Although most clubs on the beach pack up in winter, the surf clubs are there year-round. Sounds chilling? Yes, Dutch winters are cold. But the water of the North Sea is relatively warm, thanks to the warm Gulf Stream. Still too cold for me, mind you. But if I was a surfer, I would come here on a clear short winter day and watch the sunset from my board.