Swim about seven kilometers from Texel to Den Helder. Today fifty swimmers took on the challenge during the tenth edition of the Beach to Beach SWim over the Marsdiep. 17-year-old Emma Riemers from Den Helder participated for the first time and immediately made a big impression by finishing as one of the first.
With a lovely sun and almost no wind, the participants could not complain about the conditions. “They are really bizarre good”, Gert-Jan Wit of the organization also notes. “In that respect it is an easy edition.”
Yet it remains a swimming trip on the open sea and that means watch out for the swimmers. “Most participants train in the pool or in a lake and then the sea is a bit different,” says Wit. “The current in particular plays a role. It can go up to three knots. That is equivalent to five to six kilometers per hour. You can’t swim against that in principle.”
nerves
Just before the race, Emma’s nerves increase. “It’s exciting,” she admits. “You should go for a swim seven kilometers. It’s not nothing.” Derek Valkenier is also having a hard time, just before the start. “I’m super nervous,” he says. “I’ve been training in the cold open water since March, but now the time has come.”
At the stroke of 10.15 in the morning, the field of participants dives into the water from the Texel beach. A leading group quickly forms that crosses the Marsdiep like a spear. After more than an hour, the first participants can already be seen from the beach in Den Helder. Emma’s mother is ready with a towel. “She is in the leading group”, she says with a broad laugh. “I am so proud!”
It is Emma who is the first to get out of the sea. During the last meters on the beach, she is just overtaken by another competitor and eventually finishes second. Once she has finished, she is taken care of by her mother, who falls into her arms, exhausted. “We were fighting with the four of us,” said a panting Emma. “But that was also nice, because you also pull each other forward. I feel very happy. I have set up a nice swim. I have the feeling that I have done good!”