Summer Storm in Hanstholm

July 3, 2025, at the Hanstholm Fish Factory

A one-day wonder - out of nowhere, a storm swept through Hanstholm in early July. Even on the evening of July 3, there was no sign of wind or waves; they didn’t make their way to northwestern Denmark until nightfall. It was a relatively small storm system that passed Norway and moved southeastward.

The night was short, because the wind’s powerful roar was already unmistakable at daybreak - an early breakfast, and off we went. At first glance from the coastal road toward the spot, it was clear that the sea was raging too.

Because the wind was blowing from the northwest, we chose the parking lot by the second wind turbine below the former fish factory so we could launch from the shelter of the short pier.

But did we really want to set off already? There was no doubt that we’d have to use the smallest sails - Oli and Klaus had 3.3- and 3.4-square-meter sails in their quivers. We could have gone even smaller, though...

Sunshine, massive white water, spray flying across the sea, clouds of dust swirling around the cars - I grabbed my camera to capture the day’s moments and waited for the wind to die down around noon. Then we should be able to manage with a 3.6-meter sail, hopefully.

For a while, the two of them were alone on the water, then other windsurfers joined them. The wind seemed to have shifted a bit further west, so it was getting increasingly gusty in the surf zone to the right of the pier.

The readings confirmed this, but also showed that the wind was gradually dying down. Shortly after noon, the 3.6 was finally the right size; later in the afternoon, it was possible to use a 4.0 or - depending on body weight - even a slightly larger sail.

The waves began to form and let surfers in at longer intervals. The first wingers also managed to make it through the surf zone, which was still choppy with white water.

By the next morning, the chaos was completely over. There was a moderate southwest wind and virtually no waves left in Hanstholm; only at the mussel reef in Klitmøller could you still catch a few rides on Friday.

You can find more photos from this stormy Thursday in Hanstholm in our gallery, and the video of this summer storm is embedded below.

July 15, 2025 © DAILY DOSE  |  Text: Jürgen Schall  |  Fotos/Grafiken: Jürgen Schall  |  translation: DE