Dutch Open Canoe Festival 2020 Wrap Up

As always it is sad to see the end to another Dutch Open Canoe Festival. Seeing old paddling friends, making new ones and always the learning that goes with new ideas or new techniques.

Our canoe “Cedar” waiting to hit the water this weekend.

This year that included learning what each of us considered acceptable risk just to attend. What about bathrooms? Where should we stay as the event brings people from all around Europe and most of all can we still interact with old canoe paddle buddies and still maintain our distance. What challenges!

I will write a detailed blog later this week on our experiences from the weekend but promised two young paddlers that I would post a few pictures. To keep my promise before this old canoe paddler takes a nap to recover from so much excitement over the weekend here you go young people.😊

One of the future paddling talents from this weekend. This young man built his cedar strip canoe with his father with the help of FreeRanger Canoes Belgium.

Two young talents out for a solo canoe paddle. Both accomplished canoe paddlers and canoe craftsmen.

Awesome Fall weather at the opening on Saturday.

Minnesota is well represented and respected here in Europe with Minnesota built canoes.

I had to take this picture of this Minnesota II as it made me homesick for a Minnesota fall canoe paddle season.

My personal European built wood canoes FreeRanger Canoes

Best wishes and safe a healthy travels to everyone who attended. Until next season.😊

CategoriesCanoe Netherlands, cedar strip canoe

Tags50+, adventure, Canoeing, Dutch Open Canoe Festival, kayaking, Minnesota, National Park Weerribben, Nature, Netherlands, Netherlands canoe paddles, Travel

9 Comments

portagepup September 13, 2020 at 2:25 pm

All the canoe festivals, paddle shows, etc were cancelled here…hope we can attend some next year!

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1. The Cedar Journal September 13, 2020 at 2:36 pm
  
  We had our doubts all season but they pulled it off here and did a very good job of keeping everyone reminded of the needed space for interaction. Plus, most experienced canoe paddlers are respectful of rules in order to keep our passion safe. Hopefully next season the ones in the States can return to normal in healthier conditions.
  
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Peter Klopp September 14, 2020 at 2:53 pm

A great display of all these beautiful canoes!

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1. The Cedar Journal September 14, 2020 at 3:17 pm
  
  Yes, they are certainly beautiful. Thanks.
  
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Minnesota Prairie Roots September 14, 2020 at 4:12 pm

I look forward to reading more about this event. The weather looks perfect and those canoes (hand-built, wow), true craftsman (or woman) ship.

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1. The Cedar Journal September 14, 2020 at 4:20 pm
  
  As always I enjoy seeing your comments. It is unusually warm weather here but really nice for canoeing.
  
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Ann Coleman September 14, 2020 at 4:42 pm

Looks like so much fun!

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doerfpub October 1, 2020 at 5:17 am

Wait, is this the event that required you to get up so early !?! At least it looks like it was worth it ha. Glad to see you were able to get out and have some fun – always a great pick-me-up when you can socialize with old and new friends.

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1. The Cedar Journal October 1, 2020 at 6:04 am
  
  Nope, no 5 am on Open Canoe Fest. You must be playing catch up.😊
  
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