The summer is just around the corner, but what are you going to do during all those long vacation days? Why not get yourself outside and try a new sport. Who knows, you might even surprise yourself and be whoppingly good at it.
Ever seen people on Amsterdam’s Amstel River with a surf-like board and a paddle just going about their day? That’s SUPing- a.k.a. Stand Up Paddling, and it looks like so much fun! This would be the perfect activity to do with friends on a sunny summers day.
SUPing is a kind of a cross between surfing and canoeing and you can do it in a variety of places in the Netherlands. This activity allows you to be active but still enjoy the nature around you. You can go out on canals, lakes etc. So check online where your nearest SUP facility is.
If you want to take it a step further, you could even go SUPing AND clear trash from the water, although this does require a certain level of proficiency. Not all SUP companies offer this, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. El Kombi in Alkmaar is one of the companies which does offer this in the form of “Sup it UP” activities.
Whilst SUPing only allows for one person to be on the board, canoeing allows for a few. This makes it a great team-building, group activity. You don’t even have to go for that long either - unless you want to. The best places to go canoeing, in my opinion, are forests and national parks, like the Amsterdamse Bos or the Biesbosch National Park, for example.
Of course, you can also opt for a cityscape and go canoeing in the city canals if you like. Canoeing is surprisingly cheap- added bonus! Prices differ per establishment, but for a 2-persons canoe for an hour, you’re probably looking at around 12 euros, so 6 euros per person. That’s not bad if you ask me.
Up for some adventure? Why not try kite surfing? Kite surfing involves you being on a board in the water attached to a kite which allows you to use the wind to glide over the water. If there is one thing we have enough of here it’s water and wind, perfect for kite surfing.
In the Netherlands, there are quite a few spots where you can go kite surfing. Some you should definitely check out are Texel, Wijk aan Zee, Zandvoort and Scheveningen. There are plenty of companies situated near these beaches which offer lessons, so compare online which is best for you before you head on over there.
Yes, we know, you probably already own a bicycle and use it regularly to cycle to work or the supermarket. But have you ever used your bike to go on a somewhat longer trip? Or tried out a racing bike and seen how far you can cycle in one go?
Cycling in the Netherlands is made easy due to the country’s great infrastructure, with paths especially made for cyclists. So why not try out one of the many amazing cycling routes which will take you past monuments, windmills, lakes, wildlife and so much more.
What’s more, cycling is super cheap, as you probably already have a bike. Just make sure it is comfortable if you are going to cycle a long distance on it. Oh, and wear appropriate clothing - there’s is nothing worse than getting saddle chafe when you are still 5km from your house - trust me.
Blokarting involves driving really fast across the beach whilst sitting on a kart with a sail. You can’t blokart on all Dutch beaches, unfortunately, so if you are heading to one, be sure to check whether blokarting is on offer beforehand. IJmuiden aan Zee, Wijk aan Zee, Ameland and Terschelling are a few of the beaches where you can experience the adrenaline rush of blokarting.
You can go blokarting in small or larger groups, so gather up your colleagues for a team-building activity (send this article as a hint to your boss maybe) or a few friends for a day of fun. Moreover, it is not as expensive as you might think, prices can be as little as 20 euros per hour. Prices differ greatly per company, so check these out and book beforehand.
We hope we’ve got you all excited about trying out some new sports this summer! So, which one do you think you’ll give a go? Or will you tick them all off the list? Let us know in the comment’s section!