The Round Texel Race is also back. After the corona break, all signals are now green. The island is gearing up for two days of sailing, surfing and partying. Athletes from home and abroad come to the beach at Paal 17 to compete with each other.
“I became chairman myself just before corona broke out,” says Jan Schouwstra, “After three years, there was really another round. So I still have to grow into my role. But I have been involved in ‘t Rondje as a volunteer for twenty years. It will not only be a great race but a great event.”
It is very busy on the beach at Paal 17. These days at least about 250 catamaran sailors with all their equipment come to the coastline, but chairman Schouwstra thinks it will eventually be three hundred.
Colored sails
Yesterday was mainly trial sailing, today it is already more serious. “We have a wonderful trip. We sail with about a hundred catamarans to Paal 33 where we have a bite to eat. That is a beautiful sight with all those colored sails around the Lighthouse at De Cocksdorp”.
But it is not only the sailors who are in charge. Foil surfers and kite surfers also get to work and on the beach itself there is a party every evening during the Wave festival. “Het Rondje is more than just sailing,” explains Schouwstra. “The character is ‘brothering and being together’. It’s like one big group of friends here. Everyone wants to help each other.”
Nevertheless, Saturday remains the day of all days with the Round Texel. “Saturday we will start with, I expect, three hundred catamarans about a mile and a half. And then they leave. They give up good weather and a beautiful wind. It will be really great.”