Kent and Alexander tempt with good coffee and cakes from the new food truck. Photo: Jan Jeppesen.
On the trip to the southernmost tip of Amager, a new community has surfaced. Here at Copenhagen Surfcenter, men and women of all ages practice kite and windsurfing at one of Denmark's best spots.
We are on Sydvestpynten at the end of Kalvebodvej - close to Amager's southernmost point, Aflandshage. Here is a large flat area of water that is not much more than one and a half meters deep. This makes the area ideal for kitesurfers and windsurfers. On good summer days, there can be up to 300 kites on the water when the wind comes in from a southerly to northwesterly direction.
It's Thursday afternoon. The parking lot is already full. Most surfers arrive by car, while a few have taken bus 33 from Ørestad to the Kongelund camp on Kalvebodvej.
From Kalvebodvej you can pop in to Kitekollektivet and Kitesport. Here you can relax in the sun loungers, buy hot and cold drinks, cakes and sandwiches from the food truck, or hunt in the shop to find the right equipment for both beginners and advanced kitesurfers.
Kent and Alexander in front of the food truck. Photo: Jan Jeppesen.
A new attraction
Alexander Wasi co-founded Kitekollektivet.
It was on one of the many trips to Sydvestpynten that Alexander and a friend came up with the idea for the collective and how to create the best environment for kitesurfers, so that it could be more than 'just a trip on the water' in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Last year, Alexander was alone with Kitekollektivet, but today he has joined forces with Kent Ellegaard, who owns and runs the Kitesport shop in the building. The combination of teaching, equipment sales and socializing will transform the entire area into a new attraction for both Amager residents and Copenhageners.
- Something is missing out here. That's why we want to create our very own environment for both kitesurfers and water enthusiasts, but also for the many people who walk on Amarminoen. The food truck is located close to the walking route where people walk from DR-Byen to Dragør or vice versa. Now they can drop in and get something wet and dry before the walk continues, says Alexander, who is a self-employed carpenter.
- Luckily, we have a lot of great instructors and a team that supports the classes or stands here in the truck when I have my full-time job. The truck is open on Mondays, Thursdays and weekends, while the classes are held daily. I have a great passion for this, so I can do both," he emphasizes.
On a weekday, there are often 50-100 surfers, while the number increases during the summer vacation period. On weekends, the number can quickly creep up to 300 surfers.
- Kitesurfing is a rapidly growing sport. And Southwest Pynten is a big attraction because of the shallow water. You have water up to your knees and hips. We also have the largest kite school in Denmark because we also cultivate the social community," says Alexander.
Louise Suder and Mie Jørgensen take a break from the Amarmino. They are on their way to DR-Byen. Photo: Jan Jeppesen.
Gold winner Kent
The man behind the Kitesport shop is 42-year-old Kent Ellegaard. He is a former Danish kitesurfing champion and won silver at the most recent Danish Championships.
- I'm competing against all the young boys," he laughs.
- Sydvestpynten has one of the country's most popular beginner spots, and during the coronavirus pandemic, we saw that more and more people wanted to get out into the fresh air and try the sport. That's when the whole thing exploded. Over time, the equipment has become much easier and safer, and this has also encouraged many people to take up the sport," Kent explains.
Kitesurfing can be enjoyed by everyone. There are kitesurfers aged eight and 88.
- Yes, the oldest we've had out here was 88-year-old Poul. A couple of years ago, he was out surfing one day, but collapsed with a dizzy spell when he came in. We have now placed a memorial stone by the lake in his memory. I'm sure he couldn't have wished for a better place to rest," says Kent, who also has a full-time job on the side.
- Yes, it's a bit busy, and I'm also going to be a father in a week, he adds.
Alexander and Kent want to make the area as attractive as possible - also for families with children. That's why you can play classic garden games at the food truck.
- It's best known as the area with the old asylum center, but now we're giving it a new, fresh life. And we've been well received by both the Danish Nature Agency and the local residents," Kent explains.
Photo: Jan Jeppesen.
Photo: Jan Jeppesen.
Photo: Jan Jeppesen.
Photo: Jan Jeppesen.
Photo: Jan Jeppesen.
Photo: Jan Jeppesen.
The surf center on the Southwest Point
A shop and café are located in the area. There are outdoor games for the family such as volleyball, king games, ladder golf and balance board. Kite and windsurfing lessons are available. It is possible to organize corporate events, polo parties and birthdays. The shop offers equipment rental and repair. A sauna has also opened and there are plans to establish a hot tub.
At Kitekollektivet , all instructors are certified, which means that they have taken a kitesurf instructor course with the Danish Sailing Union. The instructors can teach beginners and intermediates according to the national standard 'DS Kite Courses'.