Last year he was the first ‘foreigner’ to climb a pole during the traditional Pole Sitting in Lambertschaag. Now Stef Langedijk (20) from De Weere was supposed to perform there with his band Quick Response, but his name tag has been nailed to a pole again.
This afternoon at 4 pm, 12 men will climb on the poles, with the intention of staying there for 52 hours and 36 minutes. Without sleep and only interrupted by a sanitary stop. Sunday evening around half past eight it will become clear who has fully completed the adventure and who dropped out earlier.
Stef Langedijk is one of the participants, although that was not actually the intention. “I should actually be performing here as a drummer, with my band. But they had too few ‘sitters’ and it would be a shame if this tradition was lost. So I signed up anyway. Fortunately, the other band members understood.”
Money as motivation
Money is an important motivation for the pole sitters, Stef admits honestly. “Last year I earned 2,800 euros through sponsorship and premiums from acquaintances, which was a record. I felt that the whole of De Weere was there to encourage me. In two weeks I will leave for an internship in Canada. I want to go there I also travel around a bit, so I can still use some pocket money. There are more boys who, for example, earn their summer vacation with it.”
And that while Stef is not even allowed to participate according to the rules. While sitting on the pole is reserved for residents of Lambertschaag and Abbekerk, Stef really lives in neighboring De Weere. “On the border with Abbekerk,” he says quickly. “What is funny: an address change has been made for our house, without us having moved. First we lived in Abbekerk, now in De Weere.” The smile appears with memories of last year: “I was already called a foreigner last year.”
Fell into the water
He followed in the footsteps of uncle Bert and cousin Chris Odie, who also spent weekends on a pole in the past. “Last year it went well”, Stef looks back. “I have had few really strange moments, although Sunday was really tough. Especially in the morning, because there is hardly anyone on site. We also try to keep each other awake, at difficult moments. We shoot each other with water pistols then wet. Someone next to me did fall into the water after falling asleep. Hopefully it will go well again this year.”
The pole sitters are entertained with entertainment and encouraged by friends and acquaintances. There is also a party tent near the pole sitters. Just like last year, Stef drew the outer pole. “Maybe it’s my lucky pole.”