Did someone say surfing? Yes! The International Surfing Day was established in 2005 by the Surfrider Foundation and Surfing Magazine. Every year, surfers and surfing fans run contests, eco-friendly events, barbecues, film screenings, beach cleanups and multiple ocean-based activities.

These celebrations are held all over the world. Until 2013, the International Surfing Day was celebrated in two different dates. The Surfrider Foundation ran one, and the other one was put out by EuroSima. Today, the ISD is held annually on the third Saturday of June, and engages thousands of surfers and activists from over 30 countries.

Can you imagine Poland as a surfing destination? Where there is water, people will find a way to surf!

With 305 miles of coastline, Poland boasts an array of beaches all facing the largely un-surfed Baltic Sea. The waves are primarily generated by wind swell, since the Baltic is a relatively small body of water. One of the principal surfing spots on Poland’s northern coast is a tiny strip of land jutting out into the sea called Hel. Don’t let the name fool you – Hel looks like an idyllic slice of lush coastline and plays host to beachgoers, wind-surfers and surfers in the summer months.

Take a look at this post about Hel:

Going to Hel!

So what people do on International surfing day? A lot of different things! You can definitely go surfing, participate in beach clean up, read a good book about surfing, learn more about the ocean and pollution, donate to a Nonprofit Surfing Organization or just simply spend a day on the beach enjoying the waves!

Image courtesy pixabay.com

The Baltic Sea has its secrets. In order to get waves for surfing, Polish riders have to wait for strong onshore winds to build swell followed by a brief period of cross or offshore winds.

In Poland, the wind comes from a westerly direction roughly two-thirds of the time – spring and autumn storms provide particularly good surfing conditions.

The country’s main surfing spots are located in Pomerania, between Karwia and Rowy. The Peninsula of Hel has spectacular wind conditions for kiteboarders and windsurfers.

Dąbki (Koszalin), Łeba and Władysławowo are also quite interesting beach breaks waiting for the Central European surfers. Sopot and Władysławowo are probably the most important wave riding centers in Poland.

Recently, Polish surfers have been exploring a new river wave, discovered on the Bobr River, which has been attracting die-hard wave riders from across the globe.

Everyone is invited to join the fun on this day! People who enjoy surfing will find that this is the perfect time of year to take to the water and perhaps pick up some new skills from professional surfers. You can also organise your own beach party on this day with friends and family as a way of getting together and having fun on the sand while getting back to nature and of messing about in the water.

We would love to hear about your surfing adventures in Poland! Please share them with us in comments below:)