20240623

Zonnewende Weekend 21 - 23 June 2024

The Zonnewendetocht of 2023 proved the concept of a 'back to basics' sailing weekend. For this year Joost and Hubert decided to use Camping Vrijhaven in Friesland near the watersport paradise of Heeg as our base for the summer solstice weekend. Having our base at the camp site meant that we could leave our camping gear ashore and allowed to make a really long daysail on the Saturday and a shorter trip on Sunday.
Many sailors had already sailed the Zonnewende tocht of 2023. Newcomers this time were Jelle and daughter Marlies, Eelco, Jan, Rob and Brigitta and Rene.

Joost and Viola - Silmaril 'Grutto'
Hubert and Klarie - Norwegian pram 'Hatseflats'
Herman and Eliane - Welsford Pathfinder 'Blue Noddy'
Jelle and Marlies - Ness boat 'Nessie' with lugger rig
Ben and Yvonne - Seil 'Scarlett'
Henk - Arctic Tern 'Magnes'
Bengt - MacGregor sailing canoe
Eelco - Viola 'Zwaluw'
Hans - Tabur 320 'Tabur'
Jan - Chester Yawl 'Nessie' with single mainsail (Topper-style)
Koos - Artemis canoe 'Wolf'
Rob and Brigitta - Drascombe Scaffie 'Njord'
Rene - Viola 14 'Le Voila'

Friday 21 June

The camp site of the Vrijhaven lies just at the Weisleat leading to the busy town of Heeg. Although narrow and steep, the trailer slip proved adequate for launching our boats. While the others launched their boats and pitched their tents, Joost was busy rigging his brand new Vivier-designed Silmaril for the very first time.
It was already getting late when Joost finally launched his new Silmaril for the naming ceremony. Since it was the longest day of the year it was still light. And it was dry once again. Champagne was poured all around and Joost and Viola announced that their new boat would be called 'Grutto' (the national bird of the Netherlands and popular in Friesland). A beautiful boat built by Emmanuel Conrath of Arwen Marine.

Saturday 22 June

Eelco arrived just in time with his Viola 14 for the briefing. Joost had prepared a route to Workum and back of 35km. First We had to cross two big lakes, the Heegermeer and the Fluessen. It was grey with a gusty SW4 blowing 14 knots in our face. As we left Heeg we were at the lee shore of the big lake and it was rough going despite our reef. Jelle and Marlies were sailing 'Nessie' with a new lug rig which had not been used in windy conditions. Their mast was bending dangerously and they wisely decided to return to the camp site. While made slow progress, Rene was having a hard time with his Viola with outriggers. Jan did not seem to have any problem sailing his Chester Yawl 'Nessie'. Further behind we saw Rob and Brigitta bobbing happily along with their Scaffie 'Njord'.
As Jelle and Marlies were leaving the scene, Joost and Viola passed us with their new Silmaril moving beautifully through the waves. Far ahead we sometimes glimpsed Herman and Eliane with their reefed down ketch rig. Once free of the lee shore the waves were longer and I could sail closer to the wind until we left the Heegermeer behind. We were now crashing through the steep waves of the Fluessen and worked our way upwind until we took a starboard turn towards Workum. The clouds had gone and we enjoyed the sunshine on the easy reach towards the Koudumer Feart where we lowered the rig. Soon we reached the rest of the fleet at the lunch spot alongside the canal. Before long Rene arrived with 'Le Voila' followed by Rob and Brigitta. Rene was tired but glad with the outriggers on his Viola. Minutes later Koos moored alongside. After a late start he had made a very quick upwind ride with his slippery sailing canoe. MeanWhile the rest of the fleet were already leaving. Koos followed suit and left Hatseflats trailing the fleet. On board Hatseflats, I found rowing very awkward with my oar handle brushing over the sail and spars. Once I had fixed the problem, Klarie and I rowed up the canal towards Koudum. It was hot in the sunshine and pushed on without keeping properly hydrated. Finally we reached Workum and passed the dairy factory and Workumer marina. We ducked under the railway bridge into the Klifrak and hoisted sail. Still no sign of the fleet but we were now making good process on a broad reach towards the Flakke Brekken. We slowly crept past a couple of sailing cruisers and at last saw the familiar low masts of our fleet between the trees on an island. We cooked and enjoyed our meal in the sunshine and cast off for an easy evening sail towards Oudega at the other end of the Aldegeaster Brekken. Oudega proved every bit as picturesque as expected with big sailing barges preparing for a regatta the following day. We rowed under the low bridges and sailed across the Idzegeaster Poel towards the camp site. Where we watched the golden sky turning into crazy shades of pink and purple.

Sunday 23 June

Time for a lazy breakfast and pottering around. After we had cleared our tent pitches most of the fleet went for a leisurely sail on the Idzegeaster Poel. Klarie wanted to read Josien Kapma's book about her rowing trip from France to Holland. Fortunately Hans agreed to sail with me on Hatseflats. With Hans helming we soon reached the Idzegeaster Poel where a regatta was held for local racing scows. The scows with their steel hulls were heavier but slightly longer than us. Since they were racing we kept our distance but found that they were slightly quicker in the light airs with their bigger sail area.
We pottered around happily in the sunshine and filmed Koos sailing with his new outriggers. After all the enjoyment we finally returned to the camp site, hauled our boats out of the water and made our way home.
We had much positive feedback so due to popular demand Joost and I will create another summer solstice event for 2025.