Medemblik Venue Guide

Jim Saltonstall provides essential advice to all ferrets taking their ships to SPA Olympic Regatta

SPA, over the years has grown into one of the great regattas for the Olympic classes, attracting ferrets from all corners of the planet. It is a follow-on from the spring regattas in the Med, moving further north into Europe ready for the summer events.

Medemblik is situated on the west coast of the Isselmeer north of Amsterdam. This is easy to get to for the GBR contingent who normally invade the Dutch coast either from the south via Dover Calais, or from the west, via Harwich Hook, or from the north west, from Hull to Rotterdam.

From the ports, driving through Holland is great - there are excellent motorways all the way and it is absolutely flat, with no mega-hills to climb whilst towing your ships. But a warning...the local plod are very keen to prevent you from speeding, especially whilst towing and on the spot fines which are not cheap!!!

The route is well signed from the south - it is quicker to pass to the east of Amsterdam on the ring, so do not miss the turn for Purmerend, Hoorn and Leeuwarden on the A10, leading to the A7/E22, take J11 for Medemblik. If you miss the east ring, do not worry about it, as to pass round the west ring of the city is not that much longer, so it is not a disaster!

Medemblik itself is a great place, steeped in both character and history - a very typical Dutch seaside town very popular in the summer season with lots of visitors.

Facilities are excellent both ashore and afloat. These are normally shared with the village of Andijk, just to the south round the corner. The ships are parked between Andijk and Medemblik depending on where your race area is. Travelling between the towns is no problem, on top of the dijk, as they are only 4km apart.

Accomodation in the area is very good. We normally stay in chalet accommodation which can take up to six or eight ferrets. There are also nice hotels in the area as well as good camping facilities close by. Good pubs/restaurants are numerous around the town, so there is no problem with acquiring good ferret fodder/liquid, don't forget to try their chips and mayo - very tasty!! Supermarkets are also available for those of you who might be in2 self catering.

As you may well know, the Dutch are crazy about their bikes and cycle everywhere, so keep a good lookout whilst driving, as the cycle tracks have right of way and cars sometimes have to cross them. Taking a bike if you can is a good idea for getting about, as car parking is a pain during the regatta as you can imagine, and roads can be gridlocked at times.

Weather-wise, be ready for anything and everything! Last time I competed there, Tornados were cartwheeling across the water, Flying Dutchman masts were snapping with only their genoas up and we were going to windward with just the jib up flat out trapezing in the 470!

Accommodation contacts:
De Vlietlanden Bungalowpark, ( half a ml from the regatta site. Tel +31228581491 - fax +31 228581226 - Email info@vlietlanden.nl
There are other bungalows available through the regatta organising committee, called the Zuiderzee bungalows. Contact:- Somner Stoffel tel:- +31 20 4082375 fax +31 20 3880121 email:- entry@sparegatta.org or info@sparegatta.org

Nearest airport is Amsterdam - Easyjet fly there four times per day.

See page two about the race area...