Big Waves & Big Air

Hanstholm, September 16, 2025

A look back at a day in late summer 2025: Just before the start of fall, there was a string of great surfing days in northwestern Denmark. This was also the case on September 16, when winds of around force 7 were blowing from the west at the spot near the now-defunct Hanstholm fish factory.

The local pier organizes the waves and protects the area behind it from the open North Sea surf.

The pier at the fish factory in Hanstholm

In the afternoon, the waves crashed over the long pier

On Tuesday morning, the waves behind the jetty were still small, but that wasn't going to last long. As the day went on, the low-pressure system pushed huge swells toward the coast, and the region known as "Cold Hawaii" once again lived up to its name.

Jonas and Julius Manthei were also out on the water

Some of Germany's top wing foilers were out on the water that day, including Benjamin May, who travels to this spot as often as possible from the Munich area.

The waves were still calmer in the morning – Benjamin May parawinging

Riding waves with a parawing and downwind board in the morning and big air jumps in massive waves in the late afternoon. It’s only thanks to the long pier that you can get out on the water at this spot relatively easily when the waves are high.

Further east, the big waves roll all the way up to the beach and the current is much stronger, making it nearly impossible to launch a foilboard there on days like these.

The forces of nature – the wild, roaring North Sea surf

But even the whitewater rollers from the waves breaking far out on the pier and the sections on the inside are, under these conditions, only suitable for experienced wing foilers.

Undeterred, Benjamin pulled off some high airs, including frontflips and 360s on the wave. To generate more lift for high jumps, he even switched from a 4-meter wing to a 4.5-meter wing.

Sheltered by the breakwater, you can still launch even when the waves are high

The low evening sun bathed the spot in warm light, and the flying spray, combined with the stormy sea, created the perfect backdrop for photos.

Frontflip - preferably as high as possible

The session lasted until sunset, then it was time to head back to the campground. September was set to remain windy, and as the week went on, there were still some good sessions at other spots in the region. Denmark is always worth a visit.

Backflip - Benjamin May

Tip for campsites:
The two large campgrounds in Hanstholm (www.hanstholm-camping.dk) and Klitmøller (nystrupcampingklitmoller.dk) cost just 20 and 16 euros, respectively, in the off-season (1 person + campervan, without electricity, including a hot shower). The campground in Hanstholm is also open in winter.

The low evening sun bathed the spot in a magical light

360 on the wave

And to finish up, one more time with a bigger wing...