Nautical agenda

The Westland Floating Parade is an annual event where boats are decorated with flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables. The boats sail a route of 70km by Westland, Delft, The Hague, Vlaardingen and Maasluis. It is also very busy this year with more then 300,000 expected spectators who want to marvel at the beautiful boats.

It's time for the largest inland water event in Europe: the Sneekweek! Each year, the Frisian town of Sneek is for one week dedicated to sailing events. Besides a sailing competition, there is plenty to do for boat-enthusiasts, like a boat show and the "Boat of the Year"-election. The whole city is in a festive mood, with a fun fair and music festival at various venues. This year promises to as spectecular as the last one - so you'd better make a trip to Sneek!

Do you want to buy a new boat, check the latest developments in the yacht-building-business or do you just want to marvel at the latest boats out there? Then you definitely should go to the HISWA boat show, where manufacturers show their latest boat models and water recreation-products. Since 2012 the HISWA in-water boat show is located in the hip NSDM yard in the northern part of Amsterdam. With over 300 boats on the quay, the HISWA boat show is the largest in-water boat show in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Do you want to travel by boat to the best festival in the Netherlands? Of coarse you can! For three days, the Frisian island Vlieland is completely dedicated to the pop festival Into The Great Wide Open. This art festival, that was elected the best festival in the Netherlands in 2011, is intended for culture lovers. With great attention to visual arts, film and nature, the festival is suited for both the elderly and children.

Photo: Christian van Elven

The theme of the World Port Days is the 'colorful harbor'. During the 37th edition of the maritime event (5th / 7th September), visitors can discover how surprisingly diverse the largest port in Europe is.

For three days, there is the opportunity to visit the businesses and port with your boat. There is also plenty of attention for nature and architecture. Excursions are made to a submarine, the Karel Doorman: this will be the major attraction. The largest ship ever of the Royal Navy will be open for public as well.

On Sunday 7th of September over 1,000 swimmers are going to battle the motor neurone disease by raising funds for research. Each swimmer minimally raises €300 as they swim through the canals of Amsterdam. The route goes along the Maritime Museum, via the Nieuwe Herengracht, the Amstel river and Carré to finally finish at the intersection Reguliersgracht / Keizersgracht. A true spectacle to behold!

The Terschelling- lighthouse 'Brandaris' is the namesake of the Brandaris Race, a race that starts in Frisian Harlingen and ends on the beautiful island of Terschelling. The thing about this contest is that only old ships, so-called 'sailing monuments' can participate - Klippers, Tjalken, Aken, etc. Would you like to participate on this race.? Please contact us - several ships from the Bootnodig fleet are sailing along.

Since 1974, the Strontrace is held. Sailors compete with each other to sail from Workum via the IJsselmeer to North-Holland and back with a cargo of dung. Competitors of this legendary race may only use sail- and manpower. Thus, the historical route of manure from Frisian farmers to the Dutch bulb-best is simulated. To enhance the historic character even more, participating boats may only when they have a historical character, such as barges and skûtsjes.

Amsterdam is ablaze this winter. The beautiful old town is transformed into a true festival of light. A range of sculptures, projections and installations produced by contemporary international artists decorate the inner city. The sailroute leads you through the Amsterdam canals and the Amstel, all lit by various works of art. This festival is organized with a conscious view on sustainability. The light design meets the latest standards and uses the latest LED technology. Amsterdam Light Festival is thus a good example of the merging of art and technology. Enjoy this unique festival from the water with one of the boats of Bootnodig!