In the run-up to Dutch Water Week, we put a number of people involved in the spotlight. In this episode we ask five questions to Brend Vlaanderen, instructor/coach at Sail-Today. ‘We like to fulfil the role of ambassador for water sports.’
What is the role of Sail-Today in the Dutch Water Week?
‘Sail-Today is a watersports centre in a beautiful location, situated in Almere on the largest catamaran beach in the Netherlands. During the Dutch Water Week we are organising Sail-Today Step-up Days especially for getting to know water sports. Get your first experience of sailing, surfing or supping in an accessible way. Visitors are also welcome for a drink and to see how the top athletes in the Allianz Regatta prepare themselves on the beach at Sail-Today.
What makes Sail-Today so special?
‘We’re on fresh, flat and open water here. For the sports you can do with us, that’s the recipe for achieving great speeds. You can skim over the flat water here without being held back by a huge surf. You also have the choice: for some lee or just a round of Pampus with the catamaran. We offer rentals and lessons in catamaran sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, wing-foiling, supping and also organize watersports summer camps. But what might also set us apart is the laid-back atmosphere and casual beach vibes.’
Why are Dutch Water Week and Sail-Today a good match?
‘Sail-Today is, so to speak, in the heart of the event. Not only because of the location but also because of the similarity with the sports. I am sure that many visitors, when they see the top athletes in action, become curious and want to try it out for themselves. Well, that is very well possible at Sail-Today. In recent years we have been able to make a lot of people enthusiastic about water sports. We are happy to fulfil that role as ambassador.’
What do we not know about Sail-Today but should we know?
You can also come to us with a group or a company outing. Enjoy an active day of water sports and end up on the beach at Sail-Today with a drink and a barbecue, while the sun sinks behind the skyline of Amsterdam. Can you imagine that? We also have Watersports Weeks for the youth in the summer. In addition to sports on the water, we also entertain them with, for example, the now famous sea slope, skateboards and an excursion to a desert island.
Do you have any tips for visitors and what are you really looking forward to yourself?
‘Come to the beach at Sail-Today as early as possible. Then you can witness how the sailors prepare themselves and the boats to deliver a top performance. Everyone does that in their own way and there is a lot of commotion. Some sailors help each other, others are already engaged in psychological warfare. And the departure of the boats is a great spectacle. Especially seeing the colored catamaran sails accelerate away at lightning speed and disappear on the horizon, that’s wonderful.’
You can find more about the open days of Sail-Today times during the DWW here.
