Surfclub Outside

Ostend is not Cornwall, but on the right day the North Sea delivers rideable waves, and the Sportstrand at the western end of the promenade, by the Thermae Palace, is where the local surf scene gathers. Surfclub Outside, run by the non-profit Inside Outside, is the club on the beach there.

Group surf lessons last an hour and a quarter for two to eight people aged eight and over, and the price includes the board and wetsuit. Private lessons are available for one to six people. The club also teaches windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, wing foiling and kayaking, rents out equipment, and runs adapted G-sport sessions for people with disabilities. Its beach bar is a good spot after a session.

Lessons depend on the conditions and need at least two participants, so book ahead and expect the occasional cancellation when the sea is flat or too rough. The main season runs through the warmer months; check the website for dates.