The High School of kayaking with Oscar Chalupsky

pictures by Claire Chalupsky - thanks!

Only a week ago I paddled for the first time in a surfski racing kayak. As I wrote last week: it tasted like more... Part 2 today: Is there a better introduction into this (for me new) discipline of kayak-sports than having a private lesson by the 11-time winner of the Molokai World Ocean Paddling Championships and World Surfski Champion 2006/2007? Oscar Chalupsky was in the Netherlands today, to promote Epics kayaks and to give an advanced clinic on the forward stroke.
As I heard about this unique occasion I took the chance immediately. Quit remarkably that no other Dutch kayakers did. This morning Oscar was on the beach of Katwijk aan Zee with two pupils: Freya Hoffmeister (from Germany) and I. I was driven to work on my personal paddling skills and also very interested in the way such a experienced kayak-sportsman gives a lesson. And Freya of course was looking for the top tip to paddle faster around Australia ;-).

It's all about body-rotation: paddling using your hips and legs. Oscar started the lesson with exercises and drills on the beach (first out, later sitting in the kayak) focussing on body-rotation.

Then we headed out on the water - where all feels very different and after 10 minutes of sharp observation and feed-back we felt like beginners ;-) -> learning paddling from scratch. The most difficult part I found was not to push with the upper arm. It's so easily said, but it's so difficult to work on old habits...
It's clear that for a powerful forward stroke a narrow ocean cockpit with a low foredeck hinders: legs should be centered, knees high and close together and hips should have good freedom for movement. Later we swapped boats and I changed the trusty Anas Acuta for the Epic Surfski and the Epic 18x sea kayak. Oscar sent Freya and me out to paddle together and to give each other feedback.

pupil nr 1 - highly concentrated ;-)

pupil nr 2 - a bit more self-confident!

I enjoyed the morning with Oscar - learned a lot to work on my own paddling skills and I got some good tips and ways to teach others. It was also interesting to chat with Oscar, a man with a driven philosophy on kayak design and on ways to get kayaksport more accessible to wider public. And of course it was great meet Freya again. Good fun this morning!

The clinic with Oscar Chalupsky was part of the Kajakfestival this weekend in and around the WW-track of Dutch Water Dreams in Zoetermeer. Oscar has left now, but the Kajakfestival goes on tomorrow (Sunday from 11.00 -20.00 h) with a lot of activities - amongst which the rolling clinics of Freya Hoffmeister - highly recommended!

Solo - a portrait of Andrew McAuley

Website National Geographic

Surfing the web yesterday I discovered the announcement (on National Geographic) of the documentary "Solo - Lost at sea"; about Andrew McAuleys' tragically ended crossing of the Tasman Sea last year..

NG-website: "On January 11, 2007, Andrew McAuley set out on his quest to become the first person to kayak from Australia to New Zealand across one of the wildest and loneliest stretches of ocean on Earth. On February 9, New Zealand maritime authorities received his distress call. Having survived a harrowing and torturous month at sea, conquering monstrous swells and terrifying storms, McAuley lost his life only a day from completing his journey. His body was never recovered, but the camera tapes from his kayak were. They form the basis of this moving and questioning portrait of a complex man, his family, his supporters and his attempt to conquer the ferocious Tasman Sea."

I missed the première last Monday. A pity but programs on National Geographic TV are continuously repeated. NG TV schedules are rather inscrutable: according to the website next airing is on Sunday, October 12th. However National NG-TV-Schedules may be different? Until then: watch the trailer -breathtaking, shivering...

Vlieland picture-album

Picture by Lorea Cortada Azcarata

Merel created a webspot for the participants of the Vlielandweek to conveniently up- and download pictures of the sea kayak week. This Vlieland-webspot can be opened here. At this moment 6 albums (from Merel, Hans, Michel, Lies, and Peter) are online. More to come!

Smiles for Moldova -Jörgen has made it!

Jörgen has reached his goal: he paddled 4000 km across the heart of Europe, through 11 different countries. It wasn't always easy, sometimes really tough, but Jörgen has made it. Read about his adventures at Volkskrantreizen.nl .

Next Saturday is the welcome home party for Jörgen at the Groninger Kayakclub, Hoornsedijk 4, Haren. The festivities start at 11.00 am.
More information at www.smilesformoldova.nl

Congratulations to Jörgen!!!

Surf-session with KV Wyrda - Epic Surf Ski Kayaks

Only just returned from Vlieland late Saturday-evening, Sunday another kayaking-day was up: the Surf day of kayakclub Wyrda. Five young kayakers from Woerden had signed in for the surf-clinic with Vloed Kanosport in Hoek van Holland. With an easterly wind of 4-5 Bft I was afraid that there would be hardly any waves. But the conditions were surprisingly well: 2 or 3 hours before high tide a nice surf came up with waves up to 2 feet high, creating perfect conditions for this beginners-session. Especially Jelle and Daniel couldn't get enough and after a lot of wet-exits at the beginning, they really got the hang of it. I enjoyed watching my son having fun, getting some really great surf-rides. Proud daddy!

Though I had taken the Anas Acuta with me (the kayak was still on the car from Vlieland), I spent most of my time on the beach: helping the kids to empty their kayaks, making pictures and chatting with kayak-friends. Hoek van Holland is becoming a meeting place for paddlers in the Western part of Holland. It was a "gezellige" day. ("gezellig" is one of those Dutch words that can't be properly translated. "Gemütlich" (German)/"cosy" (English)/ "confortable" (French) come close but just miss the essence of the typical Dutch "gezelligheid"). Anyway, I enjoyed that Piet (one of the aspirant seakayak-coaches) came by for a chat.

Paul and Peter from Kanoshop.nl were at the beach with two brandnew Epic Surf Ski Kayaks: the V10 and the V10 Sport. It was their first time to paddle at sea with the V10 (the racing version of the V10 sport). The V10 is only a few centimeters slimmer than the V10 sport (45 cm instead of 48 cm width) - but it makes a lot of difference in stability.

Surf Ski Kayaks are rare in the Netherlands - actually I only knew Surf Skis from pictures, so I liked this occasion to try one out. The V10 sport is surprising stable and yet feels very fast and responsive. Because I was looking after the kids I hadn't quit the rest for an extensive paddle, but the first strokes taste like more!

Picture-album of the Surf-Session: click here

Vlieland 2008 - Floating away...

Picture by Gerard Tel: time for a nap after the Zeevaardighedi- and A-Schein-tests (=Dutch and German Seakayak Proficiency Tests) on Friday afternoon...

With the final tests done - time to relax and to look back at a great week at Vlieland. Thanks to all coaches, instructors, speakers, the kitchen crew, all participants, our Dutch, Spanish, German and Belgian guests!
I am Looking forward to see what Vlieland 2009 brings!!

Vlieland 2008 - Rough water rescue

Picture by Patrick Dousi

Just another picture of yesterday - the sea was perfect: a fierce 5-6 Bft SW created a perfect swell in "het Zeegat van Terschelling" and good surf at Engelschhoek. Planned was to exercise controlled landings in the surf zone. And all did, but some groups had a little extra bonus: on the way from Vlieland some paddlers capsized before reaching the surf zone - creating a welcome occasion to practice rough water rescues.

Vlieland 2008 - The written exam

No picture of the day this time, but a picture of my trusty Anas Acuta seakayak- yesterday: resting on the sand Engelschhoek. While most instructors were on the beach doing the NKB-Kayak Safety Test with their groups, I spent the whole day at the campsite - a big part of the time behind the laptop preparing the theoretical (written) part of the sea-proficiency (NKB Zeevaardigheid, Salzwasserunion A-Schein) test tomorrow. I am curious what the candidates make of it tomorrow. Sien prepared a collection of questions that gave me inspiration for an exam covering a wide range of the NKB curriculum written down to the local details of the Wadden region around Vlieland. It was fun to make, let's hope the candidates appreciate it tomorrow. Success!!!

Vlieland 2008 - The mystery track

picture of the day 4 - the mystery track.

On the sand of Engelshoek we spotted a curious imprint. Some unknown marine mammal left the sand before we arrived. A more detailed view shows strange imprints every 30-40 cm on both sides of a longitudinal track of over 50 meters.

Quite sure it was a Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus, meaning "hooked-nosed sea pig").

Vlieland 2008 - Heel-hook

Picture of the day 3 - by Axel Schoevers

In the morning one of the participants did a part of the assessment for NKB-sea kayak coach: " PvB 3.1. - het geven van een les" . A group of intermediate sea kayakpaddlers was introduced to the so called heel-hook- (or foot-hook) rescue.
The heel-hook is a method of re-entering the kayak where the swimmer pulls himself up the rear deck of his kayak by using his leg muscles. In order to do so, the swimmer hooks his heel (or foot) inside the cockpit right under the front deck (or under the thigh braces of a keyhole cockpit). In Dutch seakayak-courses mostly the X-rescue with a re-entry between the kayaks of the rescuer and the swimmer is practized. Advantage of the heel-hook re-entry is that it requires less upper body strength and flexibility.

Vlieland 2008 - Surf

Picture of the day 2- Natasha and Marc

On this second day the Vlieland-week was blessed with a fierce Westerly wind blowing 6-7 Bft - Ideal for sweet surfing conditions. The advanced paddlers didn't make it around the sand of the Richel - again it was the second attempt - instead all had a good day in the breaking waves along the beaches of Vlieland.


I had a fine day too: on the water again! Because one of the coaches wasn't feeling well today, I replaced him and enjoyed coaching a mixed group of German and Dutch paddlers together with Piet. The international contacts Dutch-Spanish-German-Belgian make the day!

Vlieland 2008 - Puppy seals

picture of the day 1- by Patrick Dousy

Introduction of new seakayakers to the sea - the full experience - feeling, tasting, touching white sand and salty water....

Vlieland - the first launch

Just an hour ago all groups launched from the beach of Vlieland - At this moment 7 groups, total 65 paddlers are on the water. Today I stay at the campsite to arrange some minor logistical issues. Weather is clouded, but dry. Wind is blowing 5 Bft from South. Our Spanish guests were impressed by the height of the dunes (all kayaks had to be carried from the campsite to the beach over a 15 meters high dune...) and are slowly getting used to find sand in all their gear...

Lorea launching...

Marifoonbericht - opgesteld: zondag 7 september 2008 11.39 uur

Waarschuwing voor de scheepvaart:

Vlissingen Zierikzee Hoek van Holland IJmuiden Texel Rottum Delfzijl Harlingen IJsselmeer Marken, zuidwest 6

Verwachting van 14:00 tot 02:00 uur:
Zierikzee Harlingen IJsselmeer Marken, zuid 4-5, eerst af en toe 6, spoedig ruimend zuidwest,buien, mogelijk met onweer,zicht goed, in neerslag matig

Live from Vlieland

Thanks to my latest digital gadget I now have a connection from the remote Dutch isle of Vlieland to the World Wide Web. Which is very handy for regular weather updates, and also offers a unique occasion for live updates from the happenings on the NKB Vlieland sea kayak week.

Today wind was blowing from S-SW 5-6 Bft. Gales were predicted up to 7 Bft. In combination with the tide running late, we decided to make the crossing to Vlieland (35 km's) with the complete group by ferry - a quit relaxed start of the week. Looking down from the ferry at the water the waves looked very tempting, perfect conditions for a fast surfing ride to the isle... Thinking of the 65 kayaks on board of the ferry, I suppose it was a wise decision we made.

Atcampsite Stortemelk tents were pitched up. The ZVE (advaced sea proficiency) group of Joris prepared todays' evening meal under supervision of chief-cook Michel.

Evening menu: "rote Beete" soup with creme freche, Confit de Canard with roasted potatoes and rosemary and green asparagus, cucumber-salad with dill. (For the vegetarians a timbal from aubergines with goat-cheese piled up with basil). Dessert: Mango-sorbet with fresh blackberries and blackberries. A culinary traction for an international party on the tables Dutch, Spanish, German, French and Catalonian languages were spoken...
And tomorrow: time for paddling...

NKB Vlieland Seakayak Week 2008

www.weer.nl

A message for the participants of the Vlieland Seakayak Symposium - starting tomorrow:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Mededeling voor de deelnemers aan zeekamp Vlieland die morgen de oversteek Harlingen-Vlieland per kajak willen maken:

Beste deelnemers,

Het marifoonbericht, opgesteld vrijdag 5 september 2008 17.27 uur:

Verwachting voor zaterdag 6 september 8.00 tot 20.00 uur:
IJmuiden Texel Rottum
zuid 5-6 ruimend zuid tot zuidwest, toenemend 6-7,kans op een bui, mogelijk met onweer,zicht goed, in neerslag matig

Op basis van de verwachtingen heb ik in overleg met Joris besloten de oversteek per kajak van Harlingen naar Vlieland morgen in principe af te blazen. Alle weersvoorspellingen geven een vergelijkbaar beeld. Voor deelnemers in bezit van het certificaat ZVE maken we nog even een voorbehoud/uitzondering. Zij kunnen zich morgenochtend om 12.00 uur melden bij de Willemshaven. Ter plaatse en op basis van het op dat moment actuele weerbericht kan dan eventueel alsnog worden besloten met een kleine groep ZVE-ers de oversteek per kajak te maken. De kans dat dit gebeurt acht ik echter niet groot.
De veerboot vertrekt om 14.15. Reken op ruim 1,5 uur voor inpakken, inchecken, auto parkeren.
NB: de organisatie van de Vlielandweek beslist of er wel of niet per kajak wordt overgestoken.

Het is jammer voor morgen, maar we hebben daarna nog een hele week om te kajakken. Vanaf maandag neemt de wind af, komt de zon terug en stijgt de temperatuur!

Tot morgen!
Met vriendelijke groet,
Hans

----------------------------
When there is an occasion for it (internet-access?), I'll try to update this blog during the Seakayakweek, and maybe Axel does, see his kayakblog - Otherwise: see you next week again!
An impression of last years' edition of Zeekamp Vlieland: in the weblogarchive - september last year.

19-21 september: It's party time! NKB 75 years

The Nederlandse Kano Bond exists 75 years in 2008. There is a party at the site of Dutch Water Dreams in Zoetermeer on September, the 20th. Besides a reception and a party there will be a lot of kayak-activities going on. The Dutch White-Water Championships also take place in this weekend. There are to many activities to list here - check it out on the NKB75-website. Just some highlights for seakayakers: Freya comes for a demo and rolling classes, Nico is present with the kayaks of Seakayaking UK and gives a clinic, Peter shows the SKIM-range. This happening is sure worth a visit, I would love to meet you at the weekend!

The discussion on kayak-cockpit-design continues...

Keyhole-cockpit of the Valley Qajariaq compared to the ocean-cockpit of the Valley Anas Acuta seakayak.

Last weekend Paul asked me for advise about choosing a new seakayak. High upon his wish-list was a roomy cockpit to get in and out comfortably. This reminded me of a discussion I had with René lately about some of my recent statements on kayak-cockpit-design in this weblog. I think it's a pity to have René's opinion hidden deep in the comment-section. So I quote some parts of our discussion:

René said…
....In my testreports I often ask for smaller cockpits and more perimeterlines (behind) the cockpit; but I am afraid the builders/designers listen first to "signals" from the paddlers asking for easy entrance in the cockpit.
Probably this has something to do with the way the modern, average seapaddler (worldwide) is paddling, avoiding the rough stuff. Probably the modern paddlers have problems with small cockpits because they are also less flexible, less trained and heavier. ;-)
Reading the Norwegian magazine "paddling" this weekend it struck me that they had a good article on surfing and tailorfitting the cockpit of a seakayak for surf conditions. The tailorfitting itself was perfect, just identically to what I am advising about this subject.
The only thing is: why only tailorfitting a kayak for surf?? The better handling with such an improved kayak gives so much more confidence and safety, that the "inconvenience(?)" of a smaller cockpit looks only like a very small price to me.

Hans said…
....About the kayak-cockpits: I love the small ocean-cockpits on my Pintail and Anas Acuta. Of course that's because I like the rough stuff and I am "very flexible, well trained and not heavy" ;-) Nevertheless there are also some kayaks on the market with excellent modern style roomy cockpits that offer perfect control - which have their advantages (in my opinion) also on safety - not only for the "less flexible, less trained and heavier paddlers" ;-).

René said…
...About the cockpits: you are right of course that there are big cockpits with excellent knee-grip. Still I regard the smaller, ocean cockpits as more reliable and practical because:
- Minimal risk for imploding sprayskirts. Of course there are very tight fitting skirts for big cockpits but these require quite a lot of force to close them which is unhandy when you are tired or want to close quickly
- Better view on maps on your cart-table.
- Less risk of dislocating your knees form there position under deck in heavy dumping waves or with laybacks.
- A small cockpit is easier for tailorfitting than a bigger cockpit: important when the fit is not perfect for yourself.
- More perimeter lines along the kayak. For a rescuer it’s easier to grip a rope instead of a slippery cockpit-rim during a x-rescue.
Of course the big cockpits offer much comfort (for instance entering under difficult conditions), but this still does not appeal to me comparing with the safe feeling an ocean cockpit gives to me. I guess that I have seen and experienced too much of the heavy stuff in my kayaking career, for just to trust a big cockpit.
I am serious saying that whenever I need to buy a kayak that has a big cockpit because it’s not available with an ocean cockpit, I am going to close the forward part, rebuilding the big cockpit to an ocean cockpit.
Of course this is a very personal point-of-view.

René gives some solid arguments for the ocean cockpit. I want to add once more, in defence of the keyhole cockpit: a smartly designed keyhole cockpit with good places tigh grips can offer perfect boat control - and there are conditions when an easy and fast access or exit is a safety issue. I have no hesitations in advising someone to go for the keyhole. I even dare to say that most seakayakers are probably better of with a keyhole-cockpit! Especially for the large group of new seakayakers a far way over 50 years old - and I know it's risky to say this, but - you probably buy a new kayak to use it for a long time, perhaps 10 years or more ? - the chance you get more flexible isn't very big...

Personally to this "propagandist of the keyhole-cockpit" ;-) : the latest two seakayaks I bought are outfitted with an ocean-style cockpit... Which was a deliberate decision that I don't regret!

PS: add it to the list of important arguments: a small cockpit looks so sexy on a sleek long kayak!

Lifting the knees: try it with an ocean cockpit!

Taking a nap in a keyhole - cockpit: forget it with the ocean cockpit?

Ok: with some flexibility you can do the same in an ocean-cockpit.

The first salt water experience - part 2

This Sunday the second part of the "Grootwatertocht" from Kayakclub Wyrda took place. Due to some changes in participants, for most it wasn't actually the first trip on salt water but more a kind of a renewed acquaintance. For Jelle however, it was the first time to paddle out at the North Sea.
The day couldn't be more perfect. Sunny, air temperature 25 degrees Celsius, water temperature 19 degrees Celsius, Wind 2-3 Bft. SE. The sea offered highlight after highlight.

1. A close encounter with a curious seal. (Click on the picture for a closer look at the seal behind Jelle's kayak.

2. Mediterranean conditions during the break on a slowly under the rising water disappearing sand some km's before the coastline of Schouwen.

3. Some nice waves to play in. The perfect size to get the feeling for balancing and bracing.

4. And finally the feeling of gliding over a mirror, lost in space.

Wyrda grootwater08 deel 2

Click on the miniature for more pictures.

Paddled distance: 22 kms. Planning this trip I anticipated on the new rules for the Voordelta and avoided paddling in the parts of the Voordelta that will be closed in the future. We didn't land on the sand of the "Aardappelenbult" but on a sand near the "Schaar van Renesse" close to the isle of Schouwen. There were no seals or larger groups of birds resting on this sand.

Jörgen has made it to Moldova!

At Wednesday the 27th August Jörgen Cobber van der Pol arrived in Chisinau, Moldavia. Jörgen started his "smiles for Moldava" kayaktrek on April the 5th. in Groningen. He paddled solo over 4000 km's across Europe since and has gone through a lot of adventures.

Jörgen: congratulated with this fabulous achievement!

Jörgen has written a diary of his adventures in Volkskrantreizen (in Dutch).
"Smiles for Moldava" is a fund raising action for maxillofacial prosthetics in Moldavia.

The first salt water experience

Once a year kayakclub Wyrda offers the so called “Grootwaterkennismakingstocht“. This activity is aimed at kayakers new to seakayaking. It's a kind of a mini-course, split in two days: on the first day basic paddling and safety skills are practiced on open water – in preparation of the second day (a week later) on which a trip on the North Sea is programmed.

The “Grootwaterkennismakingstocht” is a rewarding activity to organize with enthusiast people enjoying the first time out at sea. Today I was leading the first day of the course, assisted by Patrick from kayakclub Natsec, on the Grevelingen. The Grevelingen is the largest salt-water lake of western Europe. It’s separated from the North Sea by the Brouwersdam – it’s a non tidal water with the salty taste of the sea – a perfect spot to introduce people to paddling on a large stretch of open water.

The challenge in organizing an activity like this is to keep it “low-level”. It’s often said that “a beginner in seakayaking isn’t a beginner in kayaking” (this quote used to be on the NKB-website, I understand why, but also think there are some arguments against it..) – but this activity should also be manageable for beginners in kayaking. A calm sea state is a condition. The weather forecast for the day (wind SW 4-5, increasing to 5-6 Bft.) wasn’t to promising in this respect. Some participants were a bit a worried about this foresight, yet I assured they would have an nice day… The covered distance wasn’t important, nor was speed or timing: just paddling in a comfortable pace, doing exercises every once in a while, relieved by rest stops on the water and an extensive lunch break made it a good day for all. But I can’t help: paddling against the wind is fatiguing! Which is good experience to get familiar with seakayaking of course ;-)

For Jelle it was the first time paddling on salt water. I had a great time watching my 14 year old son enjoying the waves: Jelle had never done this before, but he loved pounding against the wind and he tried to catch every surf with a following wind. Maybe a bit frustrating for the other (20-40 years older) participants to watch how easily a teenager learns. I was impressed by his suppleness – and by his power: it won’t take long before he paddles me out. I can hardly catch up now…

Wyrda grootwatertocht

Olympic Games - Dutch pride

Video at: NOS-Olympische Spelen 2008

Some deceptions with swimming, but the Dutch athletes were very successful in the water sports disciplines this weekend: Gold and Silver in rowing (double sculls Women, eights women), Silver in sailing (Yingling women). And the Dutch slalom kayakers also performed outstanding: Ariane Herde and Robert Bouten both made it to the finals!

Update 18-08-08:
The Olympic games are a good excuse for some (harmless) chauvinism and nationalism ;-) This morning the Dutch success- story continued with another Silver medal in sailing (470 women) and Gold in cycling (Marianne Vos won the cycling points race). Dutch women are very strong!

Beheerplan Voordelta - new rules for seakayaking

Over the past two years I have regularly written about the upcoming new rules for human activities in the Voordelta and the consequences of these rules for seakayaking in this popular stretch of the North-sea coast (near the isles of the Dutch provinces Zuid-Holland and Zeeland).
Some previous post on this topic:

• A farewell-trip in the Voordelta;
• Kayaking around the closed zone near the sand of the Hinderplaat;
• The surfspot at the closed zone near the sand of the Aardappelenbult.

Some weeks ago the authorities have published the final decree: het Beheerplan Voordelta. On the dedicated website of Rijkswaterstaat you can find all the official documents. The last decree is still open for appellate review and on some preliminary decisions the procedures in court aren't finished yet - nevertheless: legally the new rules are already in force. In the next months information signs will be placed on location and the closed zones will be marked by buoys.

The kayak relevant parts of the final decree are unchanged in relation to the drafts I referred to before. The new rules result from a good and intense contact between the authorities and the Dutch kayak-associations. It's a fact that freedom of movement for seakayakers in the Voordelta is reduced. But I do emphasize that the interests of the kayakers have really been taken in account and that the new rules still offer attractive opportunities for seakayaking-activities in the magnificent nature reserve of the Voordelta.

Polar times in The Hague

It's a good Dutch museum-season for people interested in polar (wild)life and Inuit culture. In Leiden the exposition "The big thaw" is still running (when you haven't visited "The big thaw" yet: hurry - it's in the last month). And in July the Museon in the Hague opened a new furnished Polar exposition room as part of its permanent exposition.
The Museon is the former "Municipal museum for education" in the Hague. Since the mid eighties it has become a popular scientific museum with a huge collection, covering subjects from geology, biology & environmental science, history & archaeology, physics & technology to cultural anthropology. The Museon has a lot of Inuit objects from Greenland, acquired by Nico Tinbergen around 1930. The new Polar room isn't very big, but attractive: a modern tasteful designed interactive multimedia presentation. For kayak enthusiasts: exposed are two kayaks from Greenland. A small kid-sized one (with a mini Greenland-paddle and a cute little harpoon), and a very old greenland one decorated with Dutch West-Frisian (Hindelopen) paintwork. The latter is a bizarre object - some hybrid of Greenlandic and Dutch culture: in the 17th century Dutch whale hunters brought the kayak to the Netherlands and an anonymous painter decorated it in the 18th century with Dutch folk art. Presented are also some kayak-models, clothing and other hunting gear and there are also 2 videos about kayaking and hunting with a kayak.


Walking back to the station we discovered a giant iceberg floating in the Hofvijver, next tot the Netherlands Houses of Parliament. We first thought it would be part of some climate campaign of a NGO. But the object turned to be part of the exhibition The Hague Sculpture.


Nearby at the Buitenhof is a giant sandsculpture to be found. It's made two months ago. Sun and rain have eroded the sculpture since, but it's still amazing intact. Against the background of the skyline of The Hague in some scenes the theme ‘Den Haag, City of Peace and Justice’ is presented. The Skyline is a compilation of the known historical buildings in The Hague, complemented by the modern architecture of the (partly yet to build) new centre. Prominent in the foreground is the Peace Palace, as an international symbol of the City of Peace and Justice. End of august the remains - a mountain of sand - will be removed from the Buitenhof.

Parlez-vous français? ... Espagnol?

Baccara was a female vocal duo, formed in the mid 70's by two Spanish flamenco artists. The duo peaked at the music charts with their debut single "Yes Sir, I can boogie", soon succeeded by another cult-classic: "Sorry, I am a lady". The combination of English with a strong Spanish accent, a blend of pop, disco and Spanish folk, performed by two charming ladies was a big hit all over Europe. In 1978 Baccara represented Luxembourg at the Eurovision Song Contest with "Parlez-vous français?". Broken French with a Spanish accent was too much for the Dutch - no points for Luxembourg and after the songfestival Baccara was soon forgotten in the Netherlands. In Germany and some other neighbour-countries the story went on, and after a split up incarnations of Baccara appeared into the 90's.

The latin charms of Mayté and Maria appealed to me as young teenager - the album from Baccara was one of the first "LP's" I bought from my own money. The album still is in my - neatly alphabetical organised - vinyl collection: Baccara between the "Satchmo Serenades" from Louis Armstrong and "The Last Waltz" from the Band. Over 300 vinyl records only collecting dust, but I can't say them farewell...

Sorry, I digress. Why this little confession in this personal but mainly seakayaking-related weblog? The explanation comes in two steps. The first step is that I just returned from Paris. I have been biking with partner and kids from Woerden to Paris (click here for the picture album). I enjoyed the holiday in France, but "Parlez-vous francais?" -> communication in French is quit difficult for me, alas. I manage, that's all, and I really do regret I didn't put more effort in learning French in my schooldays...
The second step is that I am busy with the preparations for the Vlieland Seakayak-week of the NKB in September. The NKB-courses are getting more and more international: this year we also welcome Spanish participants. As I heard of the Spanish interest in participating in our seakayak-courses I was immediately very enthusiast about the idea, but a bit worried about the communication. Our seakayak-coaches don't speak Spanish and the Spanish participants don't speak Dutch (nor German, nor English). The solution turned out to speak French: the Spanish participants are said to speak French fluently - and so does one of our Seakayak-coaches.
Back to Baccara: when the Spanish kayakers speak French like Mayté and Maria - even I must be able to understand ;-) !