Workum – It Soal
Workum, Friesland, Netherlands
Sports: Kitesurfing, Wingfoiling, Windsurfing, Parawing, SUP
Best time to go: April–October
It Soal is a beach and recreation area just west of the Frisian town of Workum, on the eastern shore of the IJsselmeer. The large freshwater lake is shallow, so westerly winds from passing weather systems blow side-onshore across a wide fetch and build short, steep chop rather than swell. The wind is usually steadier than on many inland waters, and the spot works through spring, summer and autumn.
The bottom is sand with some soft mud, and the water stays shallow far from the shore, which makes it a good place to learn to fly a parawing and get up on the foil, though foils can touch bottom close in. Experienced riders use the straight Frisian shoreline for downwind runs between the lakeside towns, arranging transport back by car or bike. The IJsselmeer has commercial and recreational shipping, so stay out of buoyed channels and away from harbour entrances. Wind-sport zones and swimming areas are marked, so check local rules with a school. The water is cold outside summer.
Month by month at Workum – It Soal
- January: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, air 6°C (nights 2°C), 10 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- February: 9 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, air 8°C (nights 3°C), 12 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- March: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, air 11°C (nights 4°C), 23 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- April: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, air 13°C (nights 6°C), 25 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- May: 2 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, air 17°C (nights 10°C), 28 sunny days, 12 rainy days
- June: 6 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, air 20°C (nights 13°C), 27 sunny days, 13 rainy days
- July: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, air 21°C (nights 15°C), 29 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- August: 5 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 9 knots, air 22°C (nights 15°C), 29 sunny days, 11 rainy days
- September: 7 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, air 19°C (nights 13°C), 26 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- October: 8 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, air 15°C (nights 11°C), 18 sunny days, 15 rainy days
- November: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, air 10°C (nights 6°C), 12 sunny days, 18 rainy days
- December: 12 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, air 8°C (nights 4°C), 5 sunny days, 14 rainy days
When is the best time to go kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing & parawing at Workum – It Soal?
April–October, when it is windy most often.
How windy is Workum – It Soal?
About 93 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in December.
Figures from 4 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
Spots near Workum – It Soal
- Brouwersdam (171 km)
- Domburg (204 km)
- Sylt – Westerland (286 km)
More: All spots in Netherlands · Kitesurfing in Netherlands · Wingfoiling in Netherlands · Windsurfing in Netherlands · Parawing in Netherlands · SUP in Netherlands
Compare with: Brouwersdam vs Workum – It Soal · Domburg vs Workum – It Soal