Duckweed: open water swimming competition Damme-Bruges is canceled

In the past, the maintenance of the Damse Vaart was done by the province, but Flanders has been competent for several years now. And the Vlaamse Waterweg has been letting the duckweed in the Damse Vaart run its course for five years, there is no money for maintenance.

“They say that the clean-up costs 25,000 euros and that it is not within the budget,” the chairman of the Royal Bruges Swimming Circle said.

About 80 competitive swimmers and 200 recreational swimmers from the Netherlands and abroad were registered for Damme-Bruges. The city of Bruges is also very frustrated.

The Flemish waterway could not be reached for a comment today.