If you come from a family of watersports enthusiasts, then you completely understand this statement. But if you are new to this, it might be time to pick up a new hobby during your next vacation and try out different kinds of watersports in The Netherlands. Discover the best lakes and beaches and build your holiday around the idea of having fun while mastering the waters of wilderness.
Friesland
Summer events in Friesland
Friesland is well known for watersports and has so many events organized around the idea of water. Participating in these will offer you the chance to meet people with similar interests and have fun in a community of water - and seafarers! The Skûtsjesilen Championships (July - August) is a great example of this. It is an annual event organized on the Frisian Lakes, where the Skûtsjes (typical Frisian cargo ships) race with each-other to find out who deserves to be the year’s champion. You can also catch Sneekweek (August), which is Europe’s biggest inland sailing event, organized annually and visited by thousands of onlookers, enthusiasts and sailing professionals.
Sailing and nature
The Friesland region is absolutely perfect for sailing. You can go “small” and discover ways of going from village to village on waterways, by using the interconnected lakes or even sail out to the sea, crossing it to get to the Wadden Islands. Here, you will be greeted by Lauwersmeer National Park, which enchants with its natural surroundings. It is a wonderful place to just kick back and let yourself swim in the panoramic views, unique flora and wild fauna of the place. Visiting Friesland on your own boat is a whole other level of fun and adventure. You can easily reach the region through the Wadden Sea and the Ijsselmeer, discovering the coastline of The Netherlands and spending some time out on the sea, breathing in the beneficial salty air and enjoying the fact that the only people on your boat are the ones you want there. If you would like to go on more of an adventure, you can reach Belgium and Germany from Friesland. This means you can make a list of all of the great sights to see nearby in the three countries and get there by boat, which is such a great alternative to cars and airplanes!
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Watersports and places to try these out
Obviously sailing is not the only water related activity in the region! If you are into the surfing scene, Makkum is the place to be while the Ijsselmeer near Workum serves as a great spot for kite surfers. There are so many great natural spots and nature reserves in the region and most of these are connected to bodies of water. Here, you can usually rent sup boards and explore the beauty of the land without disturbing the natural habitat of the animals and plants peacefully living in these places. The Wetterwille recreation center near Burdaard is a great little place for an entire day of water fun. You can rent a canoe, try out the sloop or see how a paddleboard fits your personality. All this is done on the Oude Vaart which is wide and calm, the perfect place to start out if you are unfamiliar with these types of water related sports.
Where to stay while in Friesland
Our top recommendation for this region would be Waterdorp Burdaard holiday park. Set on a dreamy location, next to the water, it is right on the way used by boats to get to the Wadden Sea. The park consists of luxury villas and emanates comfort, all while offering easy access to the best spots in the Friesland region. It is such a great place to come back to after a long day of discovering new places and enjoying water related activities!
Zeeland
Boating for every level
Zeeland is famous for its boating possibilities and offers such a great array of places. Beginners and professionals can all find a place to be free and have some boating fun. For those just starting out with this hobby the Veerse Meer and Grevelingen are the places to be, while those who already know the tricks of the trade are better off trying out the North Sea.
Kitesurfing spots
There are many places which welcome kite surfers and those who would like to learn how to do it the right way (there are many schools in the region), so you can pick and choose between the following: Brouwersdam, Neetlje Jans, Kamperland, Vrouwenpolder, Domburg and many more. Also, all of these options offer gear to rent or buy and the trainers here are excellent, so investing in a course is worth it - this way you can learn kitesurfing in a safe and fast manner.
Kayaking and canoeing in Zeeland
Canoeing and kayaking are a calmer option to kitesurfing and power kites. This is such a wonderful way for sightseeing right from the water. A real opportunity to get immersed and quietly wind through natural habitats and places which should be conserved by all costs. Try this out on the Grevelingen lake or the Veerse Meer - but don’t stop there! Once you learn how to do it the right way, it will be time to dip your canoe into the North Sea as well.
Diving
Sure, we covered just about everything you are able to do above the waterline, but let’s not forget about all the wonders you can find once you decide to see what hides under the deep blue waves. The home of lobsters, starfish and seahorses welcomes you in the waters of the Delta. It is an unusual, ethereal experience for diving enthusiasts. It’s actually perfect to start training here and learning how to dive, but it’s also known for being frequented by more experienced divers who come here to perfect their skills and the professionals simply head out to deeper waters. In short, the Delta has it all!
