Hi all,

I’m lucky enough to have a 2014 Stormvogel (hello Barbera if you’re reading this!)

Its third outing was a Welsh baptism of fire in Storm Ellen with 60 mph (95kph) winds - we survived but I have a couple of questions!

The instructions I've seen online for getting the varioluifel into the ‘M’ storm position indicates five pole or guyline attachment points, however mine has seven - is a storm position still possible? In the end I had to unzip ours when windows went over 50mph.

I know there are lots of variables, but is there a maximum wind speed a well pitched De Waard will take? It still felt pretty solid even when the storm was at its worst.

Thanks! Ben

We had our 2016 Albatross in similar wind conditions in Pembrokeshire last year. The wind was from the side and back but the Varioluifel was flapping really badly.

The decision I made was to completely remove the Varioluifel if expecting high winds in future.

By the way - If the wind is from the front then you've pitched the tent wrong! Always pitch DeWaard tents with their back to the prevailing wind.

However, for moderate winds and high rainfall we've tried several configurations for the Varioluifel including the 'M' position. It's just a case of removing sections from the middle pole!

I'll try and post some pictures.

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Thanks, pics would be great.

And yes we were pitched the right way for the wind, but as you say the vairo flapped like crazy. It seems a shame to have to remove it, as this cuts down on available space, but sounds like we came to the same conclusion.

The joys of pembrokeshire!

Not the 'M' position (no pics I'm afraid!) but one with the side poles lowered. This sheds water better. Note the side guys need pulling inwards to take up the slack.

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Where in Pembrokeshire were you? We were at Hillfort Tipis High up on a hill above Strumble Head lighthouse. Got hit by high winds last year, went back again this year for more (but got away with it)

Pic is from Hartland peninsula in North Devon - nearly as windy!

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That's great thanks - like the side guys tip! Cheers.

We were at Caerfai nr St David's. Amazing views but the flipside is it's massively exposed. Our Outwell spectacularly imploded last summer (maybe the same winds?) and one of the few tents left standing on site was a De Waard - I was sold immediately!

You might be looking for this picture:

http://wiki.dewaardforum.nl/index.php/Bestand:Jan_Regenstand.jpg

That depends entirely on which side the tent is hit by the wind.
If the tent is hit at the back or the sides, it will be fine for a long time. If the tent is hit full on the front and the canopy is not completely closed, then a De Waard tent will also turn into a kite at such high wind speeds.
Because in the Netherlands strong winds usually come from the Southwest, West or the Northwest corner it is advisable to pitch the back of the tent to the West.

Jeroen - thanks, I think the problem I have is that the model I've got is a newer one and has seven pole or guyline attachment points, rather than the five on previous models - unless i'm missing something?

Emile - if it was pitched in the right way, fulled pegged out with its back to the wind what do you think, is more than 100kph safe for the tent - or is it time to pack up and head home?!

Last year the Met Office was showing 50mph but our hilltop location was probably getting nearer 60mph. The tent was shaking and the groundsheet was inflating.

In the morning I found a few pegs that had started to move.

I think this is the limit for me. If the forecast was much above 50mph again I would be seriously considering leaving!

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No
If you are lucky, your tent will survive if it’s not too old and correct and tightly is set up with wooden pegs of sufficient length. With older tents and such high wind speeds, the tent fabric will rip and also the guy line attachments will rip off and your tent will get airborne like a flailing kite and crash.
If you are surprised by a (severe) storm, you can choose as a stopgap to quickly flatten your tent and lay it as flat as possible to the ground. The wind will no longer have grip on it. The better choice, if possible, is to leave and prevent any damage to persons, car and camping gear.


Repaired storm damage: 2016 Dutch coast wind speed 9-10 Bft. (tent collapsed )

Ah yes Beaufort scale https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale 10! That’s extreme. Agreed I think B9 feels about max what is doable. Nice repair! I’m sure people have seen it, but this certainly beat our storm and the De Waards were still standing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-ophyH ... ture=share