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Oosterduinse meer - Tulipaddle 2009
History :
The Tulip Challenge comes from the idea of two friends, LeJean Coetzee (South Africa) and Alain Duquénoy (France) who decided to stand-up paddle (SUP) the 25th April 2008 around the tulip fields to celebrate the birthday of LeJean. They had so great fun that they decided to organize a second trip around the north islands in Friesland. However, the distance and the safety requirements were a limiting factor to achieve their goal without preparation.
They decided meanwhile to share their experience and to organize for 2009 an official Tulip Challenge for watermen interested in visiting the Netherlands with an exotic transport mean.
This event took place the 2nd of May with more than 30 competitors who enjoyed particularly the great spirit and the nice food afterwards.
After this first success, the Tulipaddle Team (TTT) has decided to organize a second Tulip Challenge (17th April 2010) and to keep the same motto: fun, sun and Tulpen…
Beside this challenge, they will try to propose only next year to participants a Dutch Island Tour because they need time to organize such an event in full safety (escort boats, safety gears,…).
Spirit of the Tulip Challenge :
The Tulip Challenge runs among several channels of South-Holland (Zuid Holland) during the flowering period. This challenge is as well for fit beginners as experienced watermen using a SUP or paddle board or surf ski or outrigger.
The aims of this challenge are:
- to offer a nice course in a beautiful and unusual environment for watermen;
- to allow people to discover Holland under an other aspect;
- to discover the legendary and amazing colored tulip fields;
- to provide people to taste a middle-distance waterman race in a safe frame;
- to promote water sports in the Netherlands.
Spirit of the Dutch Island Tour :
The Island Tour will be about riding from island to island in Friesland and oriented for long-distance watermen.
It will be a challenge for fit and experienced watermen using a SUP or paddle board or surf ski or outrigger.
The aims of this Island Tour Challenge will be:
- to offer a nice course in a beautiful and unusual environment for north Europe watermen;
- to allow people to discover Holland under an other aspect;
- to discover the legendary and amazing colored tulip fields;
- to provide people to taste a long-distance waterman race in a safe frame;
- to promote water sports and in particular rescue and Hawaiian sports in the Netherlands.
