An adventurous challenge awaits sports enthusiasts and adventurers in and around Vledder. The Wampex, an annual event known for its challenging journey, will attract a large number of participants this year on Friday, January 12, including a number of teams from abroad.
Wampex stands for Weekend Amphibious Expedition and is originally a tradition from the English army. In rainy Dutch practice, this means eight to ten hours of scrambling through the mud, while carrying out all kinds of assignments with your team.
Last year the Wampex had almost 550 sporting men and women divided over 90 teams. Every year, the participants toil and slog in the dark over a course of about 30 kilometers over muddy farmland and wet forest paths around Vledder.
International
This year there are no fewer than 94 teams, groups from the local area but teams from abroad. “That arose from the mutual contacts of the Vledder Fire Department,” says volunteer Nienke de Bruin. “The fire brigade teams from Poland and Germany have been participating for many years. The team from Poland consists of young firefighters, it is very nice that the tradition of the foreign teams continues.”
The teams prepare to brave the elements during the 33rd edition of the event. Participants will not only have to take on the physical challenges, but their navigation skills will also be put to the test. During the tour, the teams must follow different types of routes, which are indicated in a route booklet.
Navigating with a compass, looking for reflectors and knowing coordinates are essential to reaching the finish line. “There are various route techniques that you have to solve or follow in order to walk the route and along the way you will encounter 10 assignments,” Nienke explains. These assignments require cooperation or strength, such as crossing a wide ditch using ropes or nets. “It is a diverse range of assignments. For example, in previous years the teams had to navigate through a labyrinth of potato boxes.”
Volunteers
More than 120 volunteers ensure that everything runs smoothly on Friday night and Saturday morning and that no team completely loses its way. These are people who ensure that participants are provided with drinks, but also post holders, people who navigate the assignments.
“I am also on the course myself. Together with Nienke Meinders, we arrange the start lists and registrations in advance. During the Wampex we can first be found at scouting in the morning, in the afternoon we receive the teams and during the night until the next morning we are on post. It will be a long day, but that makes it nice.”
Recent weather has made conditions on the route extra challenging; the paths and fields are expected to be muddy and wet. This makes it even tougher: “I have walked the Wampex five times myself and that included a very wet year. That certainly provides an extra challenge,” Nienke laughs.
Spare list
The popularity of the Wampex Vledder is evident from the need for a reserve list. New teams interested in participating can register via email. The organization also offers the opportunity to stay informed of the latest developments surrounding the Wampex via social media, such as Facebook and Instagram, and the official website.
There are already 35 teams on the reserve list. And that list is growing. “Every year there is new arrivals, that enthusiasm makes the event so great. The teams come not only from the region but also from, for example, Leusden and abroad. This year a number of teams have also dropped out, then a spot becomes available and the next one on the list takes their turn.”
The first team starts on Friday, January 12 around 5 p.m. The intention is for the teams to leave in the dark. How long it takes them varies: “That is often between six and ten hours. That depends on the team, how well they pick it up and how fast they go,” Nienke concludes.