Watersports

Surfing
The Netherlands offer many opportunities when it comes to surfing. Professional surfers prefer the surge and breakers of the North Sea, but the lakes between the provinces Flevoland and Gelderland, such as the ´Loosdrechtse Plassen´, offer a wide range of water sports. The ´Maas zee´ in Limburg also has a great area for water sports and a beautiful landscape. The best way to get to these lakes is by car or bike.

Water ski
Water ski fans also have a wide range of opportunities to enjoy their sport. The difference is that water skiers have to pay attention to certain rules. Waterskiing is only allowed in restricted areas and routes, which are marked by blue plates or yellow buoys. The towing boat requires a boatman and a second person, who should be at least 15 years old, in order to watch the driver and the water lane.

Water jets/Jet ski
Water jets or Jet skis are given a specific name; fast motorboats. These fast motorboats are only allowed in open waters and areas and should maintain a 20 km per hour speedlimit. The water lanes or part of these lanes can be enabled or closed by authorities. The lanes are marked with yellow buoys or by the plate’s ´E.22´or ´A.19´. For more information, ask the local authorities, water police or water sport clubs.

Sailing
Holland is an excellent place for sailors due to the fact that it is one of the countries with the most extensive system of rivers, canals, lakes and sea inlets. Holland owns 4.400 kilometers of navigable waterways, which is one of the many reasons why sailing is popular in Holland. And the Dutch are not the only ones that love sailing on the Dutch lakes and sea, the tourist prefer the Dutch sea over others. Holland offers a lot of big sailing events during the summer, which is visited by millions of sail lovers. One of the festivals named ´Sneekweek´ is a big sailing festival in the North of Holland. This festival is full of competitions and parties on the water and is definitely worth visiting.

Kite surfing
For those who don’t know the difference between kite-surfing and normal surfing; kite-surfing is known as surfing with an inflatable kite to create great movements on the water. This type of sport is perfect for dare devils who love living on the edge. Most kite surfers jump on the waves of the ocean in Noordwijk or Wijk aan Zee but it is also possible to surf at IJmuiden or Muiderberg. If you want to take surf classes, you can contact kite or surf schools, such as www.kartaboardsports.nl or www.dekiteschool.nl