Close your eyes and imagine the surf scene in Hawaii, Australia or the Southern California Coast. Sun tanned surfers, blue skies, the essential ingredient; killer waves, and for atmosphere; bikini clad bodies along the sandy beach.
Now open your eyes at Scheveningen Beach in the Netherlands and what do you see? Perpetually low grey skies, murky water, and wetsuit clad surfers paddling out with the modest of expectations to at best catch mediocre waves. What you can’t see and wouldn’t want to feel, is the absolute frigid water of the North Sea.
The surfing conditions in Scheveningen are obviously far from ideal, yet the surfing community is completely dedicated. Year round, these wet suited wonders are out there in the North Sea, regardless of the weather. They are obviously not in it for the glory or the non-existent bikini clad fans. These fanatics simply love surfing.
I thought I had seen it all, but last weekend when I caught a glimpse of these brave souls running across the snow covered beach to catch waves, I was awe struck. They have earned my utmost respect. Their passion is invigorating. What would send you running across the snow to dive into the freezing North Sea?
If surfing is not your thing, the annual New Years Day Polar Bear swim is only days away. It’s not quite as sporty as surfing, but if you leave your wetsuit behind, it may be just as daring? Are you ready to take an icy plunge?
Suzy Ogé is an American born business woman living in The Hague, The Netherlands. 