Every last Saturday of April, the Mattenschippersrace is held in the Kop van Overijssel. Classic flatboats then report to the start in Blokzijl for a 'little Strontrace', as the Mattenschippersrace is also called. Sailing, treading and yachting are the only permitted forms of locomotion. This makes heavy demands on the craftsmanship of skippers and crew: if you are up to the challenge, you can even sign on as a crew member! The Mattenschippersrace is a sailing competition for traditional sailing cargo ships. The participants must sail the 'round of Zwartsluis'. From Blokzijl, the race leads across the Giethoornse Meer, Jonen and the Beulaker Wijde via the Blauwe Hand and Beukers to Zwartsluis. There, participants have to complete a special task; that task always has something to do with the origins of this race: making mats. Only then may the participants accept the return trip to Blokzijl. The course takes them back to the beautiful former Zuiderzee town via the Zwarte Water, Kadoelen and Vollenhove. Depending on the wind direction, the race can also be sailed in the opposite direction.
Technisch Creatief Fotograaf met een passie voor natuur en techniek... Read more…