Practical information
The rental price for a valk (approx. €80) in Kamperland will be shared between the CNCE and the participants, depending on the number of sailors per valk. When a valk is fully booked (coach + 3 crew), the participation fee (PAF) is €27 per person. This is what you will pay when booking your place via the online booking form. In case the valks were not fully booked, the CNCE Secretariat will kindly ask you pay an additional contribution of €13 (i.e. €40 in total), after the trip.
Travel
We would leave Brussels at 8.00 a.m. sharp and start sailing at about 10.00 a.m. until about 5.30 p.m. Driving to Kamperland takes about 1 h 45 min. Car pooling (e.g. from Schuman) and transport cost sharing are to be agreed between those going, via Twizzit. After a debriefing we will go back to Brussels.
Sailing equipment, provisions
As the valk is an open boat you would have to bring full sailing gear and rubber boots, according to weather conditions. Life vests are available at the sailing school. If you have your own non-inflatable vest, it is better if you bring it.
SHOES: please bring sailing shoes separate from your street shoes. Sailing shoes should be CLEAN WITH NON-MARKING SOLES to avoid soiling or damaging the deck. Please bring also (clean) rubber boots (may be just the ones you use for gardening).
GLOVES: there may be no blocking device (cleat) for the main sail sheet. There may be also no blocking devices (cleats) for the jib. If it is windy, then it could be that your fingers get thinner (and painful) at the end of the day!
CLOTHES: it is always colder on the water than on land so bring sufficient warm clothes. Even if there is no rain you will get wet from the lake water as the boat cuts through the waves. Please bring waterproof sailing trousers and jacket (i.e. sailing gear). Do bring these in any case, whatever the forecast may be. Underneath, several thin layers of clothing are warmer than a thick pullover and less cumbersome. Synthetic “wicking” fibres are better than cotton as they dry out more easily. Silk is excellent! Wool is good, as it remains warm when wet. “Breathables” are best. Notorious swimming enthusiasts may consider bringing their swimware and a towel. Make sure that you don't freeze when on the boat. It's better to ask co-sailors for spare elements of their equipment than to get cold while on the boat. If you feel comfortable, you will be less likely to get seasick and will contribute to the comfort of the crew as a whole. Pack all your stuff in bag(s) to avoid chaos in the luggage compartment under the bow.
Note that there is some covered space on the boat to keep your bag(s).
SWIMSUITS are not mandatory, but occasions to go for a swim, either on the North Sea beach or in the Veerse Meer (from beaches, ladders – or even from the boat, are always within reach. Depending on the itinerary, a dip into the water may be easily arranged if there is appetite. Swim shoes can be helpful if you don’t know the waters, because of the sharp oyster shells in the Veerse Meer.
CHANGING ROOM/TOILETS are available at the sailing school. On the islands and on the shore there are orange Toi-Toi toilets.
PROTECTION: Bring a hat, sun-screen and sun-glasses. Even if no sun is forecast, the wind will burn, and sun screen seems to work against the wind also. It is very bright on the water even on a dull day, and people get headaches easily, so sun-glasses help.
FOOD AND DRINK: It is also recommended to bring something spare to eat (e.g. sandwiches, fruit, biscuits) and drinks/drinking water for the day. If you're not hungry, you'll be less exposed to freezing and seasickness. In case we have a stop for lunch on one of the islands, there are no possibilities to get something else to drink or to eat. Coffee drinkers should bring their thermos bottle as there are not necessarily coffee facilities at nor close to the sailing school.
The boats are all polyester. Therefore and for the comfort of everybody, the boats are strictly NON SMOKING areas.
Weather websites
Best guesses are available from:
windguru (in English)
14-Tage-Wetter Veere - WetterOnline (in German)
wetter.de (in German)
How to get there
The CNCE usually rents the valks from Sailcollege. Depending on the availability of valks, we may charter the boats at a different rental company.
So please check the meeting point for your particular activity as it may differ from the one described below!
Sailcollege Zeilschool & Bootsverhuur
Schotsmanweg 1
4493 CX Kamperland
The ‘Sailcollege Zeilschool’ sailing boat rental place is at the shore attached to the row of those two-floor rental houses which are directly at the shore.
When you arrive by car, heading towards the shore, you will have to turn right to get to the car park, where you can leave your car. Then turn left again and walk to the shore. On your left you will see the row of rental houses at the shore and the ‘Sailcollege’ building attached to it. It is now accessible directly from the car park, no need to enter the Kamperland camping/apartment area at all. There are toilets at the boat rental.
