The Netherlands provides ample opportunities for water sports, with its rivers, canals, waterways, broads, lakes, reservoirs and the sea and with their tradition of being a sea faring nation the Dutch are enthusiastic sailors. There are over 300.000 boat owners and at least 950 marinas or pleasure boat harbours throughout the country. Few places are far from a waterway and one of the unexpected charms of sailing in Holland is that it is possible to sail into or through many of the town centres with their network of canals.
The most popular sailing areas are the IJsselmeer (high seas possible), the lakes bordering the IJsselmeer polders (calmer waters). The lakes of South Holland, the Utrecht lake district (Loosdrechtse and Vinkeveense), the ‘Zeeland Riviera’ island of Duiveland and the Frisian lakes.
The Achterhoek in the Province of Gelderland has a lovely river with green banks and bays used for watersports, especially good for windsurfing. Also the River area in Gelderland where the Rhine and the Maas join is an excellent area for watersports with marinas, beaches and campsites. The lakeland area in Groningen with the fresh water lake Lauwersmeer, good area for fishing and windsurfing. The town of Kampen on the Ijssel delta section of the Province of Overijssel. The province of Flevoland is surrounded by the IJsselmeer and has miles of sandy beaches and the town of Urk, an old fishing village ideal centre for waterways holidays.
Boat Trips and Charter
Zeeland (South-west coast). This area is popular for boating holidays. Sailing schools and boat hire companies abound, with one in virtually every harbour. A special attraction lies in the traditional old sailing vessels of Zeeland. These can be hired, with skipper, from Zeilvloot "De Zeeuwse Stromen", 7 Nieuwe Bogerdstraat, 4301 CV, Zierikzee. Tel: 0111-415 830.
Noord Brabant (South). At Lage Zwaluwe, Biesboschtours, 7 Biesboschweg, offer boat trips in magnificient scenery. Easter, Sunday-June and September, Sundays and public holidays; July and August daily.
Limburg (South). The Maasplassen in southern Limburg has landscaped shores which are popular with sailors and windsurfers. In Maastricht contact Rederij Stiphout Bordertour, 27 Maaspromenade, Tel: 043-3254 151. Several boat trips on the Maas. January to March 2pm and 4pm. 15 April to 29 September.
Groningen and Friesland (North).
Around the IJsselmeer and in the northern provinces of Groningen and Freisland, boat rental agencies offer a range of craft, some of which have living accommodation. Especially recommended are the week-long or weekend trips aboard the many antique sailing ships moored in Harlingen. For more information, write to Rederij Vooruit Holland, 9 Geeuwkade, 8651 AA Ulst. Tel: 0515- 531 485. Day baot trips and sailing boat (with skipper) rentals can also be arranged through Zeilvloot Harlingen, 17 Noorderhaven, 8861 AJ. Tel: 0517-417 101.
Boat Hire.
Motor boats and sailing boats can be hired in a number of locations in Friesland. Tjalks (flat bottomed boats), fishing smacks and clippers are also available for hire. Top of Holland Yacht Charter, Drachten, Tel: 0512-58 50 82, www.topofhollandyachtingcharter.nl
Zuid-Holland (West coast). Leiden can be interpreted as a ‘town on the watercourses’. During the summer season there are boat trips on the Leiden canals. Departures from Beestenmarkt and Hoogstraat. In the afternoons and evenings there are boat trips to the Kagerplassen lakes (windmill cruise). Information: Rederij Rembrandt, tel: 071-513 4938. Rowing boats are for hire in the summer at the bridge. Rembrandtburg. Tel: 071-514 9790.
Noord Holland (West coast).
Amsterdam There are several cruise companies and a detailed leaflet may be obtained from the VVV Tourist Office, which will also handle bookings. All cruisers have toilets. Arrangements may be made for groups; there may be dining facilities and music on board. Most cruises run every 15 minutes in summer and every 30 minutes in winter. The different trips take 60, 75 or 90 minutes. Seeing the city by night on the candlelight and wine cruise, which runs daily in summer at 9.30pm, except 2 May, will take 2 hours. Prices depend on the type and duration of the tour and begin at €8 for a basic 1-hour cruise on the canals.
The Museum Boat: Many Amsterdam museums lie on or near the canals. Two boats run every 45 minutes from jetties all over the town. On each boat a guide gives details about the different museums. A day ticket costs €13.50 and entitles you to discounts on museum entrance charges. A combi-ticket gives free entrance to three museums of your choice. Tickets may be bought from the VVV tourist office.
Amsterdam Environs:
For excursions along the picturesque River Vecht or the Loosdrechtse waterway (in Het Gooi) from May to September, contact Wolfrat Rondvaarten, 165 Oud Loosdrechtsedijk, 1231 LV Loosdrecht. Tel: 035-5823309.
Rederij Naco, just behind Amsterdam’s Centraal Station at Landing 7, has daily excursions to Ijmuiden’s old harbour where you can enjoy a fresh fish meal at local restaurants like Henk Schorl or the more upmarket Imko’s. In summer, they also offer excursions to the fort island of Pampus, which includes a visit to Muiderslot Castle. For more information; Tel: 020-626 2466.
Water Skiing: This sport is subject to strict regulations and can only be practised in authorised areas.
Canoeing: The calm waterways of the Netherlands provide ideal conditions for this sport.
Surfing: The opportunties are varied. Experienced surfer will enjoy the rougher waters of the IJsselmeer and the North Sea waves. The inland waters of the Utrecht lakes and the lakes bordering the polders are also suitable for surfing.
Boat Trips: For those who prefer to take it easy there are numerous boat trips to choose from. For towns with a good canal network this is a relaxing way to sightsee and ideal for admiring all the canala houses. The following towns offer boat ttrips on the canals: Alkmaar, Amsterdam, Delft, Groningen, Leiden and Utrecht. Others such as Enkhuizen, Harderwijk, Kampenand Urk organise trips on the Ijssel Lake and Leiden on the Rhine. Venlo (Meuse) and Zierikzee (Eastern Scheldt) propose river excursions.
Fishing: Two documents are necessary: a fishing licence (sportvisakte) and a permit (vergunning). The first is on sale in post offices, VVV offices and angling shops and associations, while the second can be obtained from the local angling associations (Hengelosportvereningen) and angling shops – addresses are available from NVVS Tel: 033-463 49 24. Local information on fishing facilities are available from VVV offices.
Schools for sailing, windsurfing and motor-boating
Almost all resorts with water sports facilities have sailing schools. Addresses are available from the ANWB and VVVoffices.
Wet ‘n’ Wild - Waterskiing and wakeboarding are possible in Alphen aan den Rijn. Using a cable waterski line, anyone can learn how to water ski in half an hour and for the true enthusiast there’s wakeboarding. Wakeboarding, comparable to snowboarding but on water.
Have a great time on the water and enjoy a super afternoon full of action and fun. For more information :Wet ‘n’Wild, telephone: 1072-472 412, email info@wetnwild.nl
For everyone who loves a challenge, burn kayaking is possible in Hook van holland. This is about conquering the North Sea waves by kayak, meanwhile you learn various techniques and tricks in order to control your kayak. Because you stay close to the beach, the waves are higher and it feels a bit like white water kayaking. For more information: Vloed Kanosport, telephone: 010-484 07 77, or email Info@vloedkanosport.nl
Customs formalities
On arrival and de[parture visiting sailors with boats over 5.4m/18 ft must report to the nearest customs harbour office and they will issue the necessary sailing certificayte. Boats capable of travelling at more than 20kmph/12mph should be registered at a post office and have a licence. Yachts measuring 15m/50ft in length must also carry a licence. Insurance cover is compulsory with a legal liability of a minimum of
€120.000. To use a sea-scooter you must be over 18 and have a Dutch licence to navigate.
Restrictions and Regulations
Yachts with high fixed masts must look out for fixed bridges with a limited headroom and remember that some bridges only open at certain hours. Many lakes have restrictions for craft with a deep draught. There are speed limits on many waterways and some even prohibit motor boats. At movable bridges there is often a fee to pay, usually well indicated and the bridgekeeper will lower a clog (klomp) for you to put the fee into.
For other regulations consult the Almanac for Water Tourism (Wateralmanak): Part 1 contains general shipping rules and regulations and Part II gives information on tide timnetables, opening times of bridges and locks and facilities offered by the various marinas. These almanacs have introductions in English and are available from the ANWB and some specialised bookshops. Both the ANWB and the Netherlands Hydrographic Services, The Hague, Tel: 070-316 28 01 publish hydrographic charts, which can be purchased from the ANWB and VVV offices.
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