2019 Dutch Open Canoe Festival

So another year of canoe paddling is under our belt. Marking the official end to our season was our attendance this last weekend at the 2019 Dutch Open Canoe Festival held at the National Park De Weerribben in Ossenzijl.  We attended last year and spent three days at the event (read more about that here).  This year we downsized a bit and didn’t participate as much.  It was the end of our vacation, we just wanted to paddle.  We did paddle each of the three days.

The morning of our last day the conditions were perfect. Mirror like water, almost no wind and once we paddled into the park we didn’t see anyone the entire time we paddled.  We seemed to have slipped into our own canoe paddle universe.

Kalenbergergracht, National Park Weerribben

With near 300 other paddlers attending the event we were a bit shocked not to see anyone else at 9 am on the water.  We did see some people out for an early paddle close to the event area.

Canoe Paddlers early morning

I was able to talk someone in another canoe into taking some pictures of us in our Cedar.

Thank you, to our anonymous photographer!!!

Paddling in the Dutch National Park De Weerribben

After we completed our morning paddle the Hubby and I walked around and looked at canoes.  Being that I am from Minnesota, I was happy to see many Minnesota built canoes.

The white and red canoes are Minnesota exports. So is the gal who is looking at them.

We love the wood canoes. This year we saw many more of these beautiful floating artworks.  The following is one brought in from England.

Wood canoe rigged with a sail.

Or the canoes on display from Belgium, FreeRanger Canoes.

Wood Canoes from canoe builder FreeRanger Canoes

He is even building a wood SUP now.

FreeRanger wood SUP

Then there were a couple of canoe shelters that the Hubby thought would be cool to have.

Colman made canoe shelter

Rain poncho canoe shelter

We enjoyed seeing old friends and talking about their canoe vacations.  As with any event the time went by way too fast and there is never enough time to enjoy all that the fest had to offer.  The one thing that always makes me smile while attending this event is seeing people out on the water enjoying their human powered boats.

Ally canoes on the water

Wood canoe

Colorful solo canoes

Mad River Canoe

Until next Dutch Open Canoe Fest…Happy paddling everyone!

Out of my way! I am heading to the next Canoe Fest!

Note:  A special thanks to Dirk Barends for making our time at the fest this year extra special! You are awesome!!! 

© The Cedar Journal, 2019, all rights reserved.