Experience a real sailing competition for once… That’s possible!

De Bontekoe participates in the ‘Pieperrace’, and you can join. Experience is not required!

It is a spectacle that is almost unparalleled. A real fleet of ± 50 large sailing ships sails at the same time!
You can imagine, that guarantees a fantastic sight.

This competition for traditional sailing ships honors the memory of how the Volendammer Kwakken (large botters that only existed in Volendam) were used during the period 1943-1945 to sail potatoes (piepers) from Friesland. The beepers were – among other things – intended for the Amsterdam hospitals. The start and finish will take place in front of the Volendammer harbour.

How does it work?

The competition consists of two days of competitive sailing. Both days take place from and end in Volendam.
It involves one ‘fleet race’ around a number of buoys each day, with a winner in each category each day. The Bontekoe falls under the ‘Grote Clippers’.

Friday 31 March the ship will be ready to welcome you on board from 20:00 in Volendam.
You will be welcomed by the skipper, the sailor, the cook, and the extra deckhands needed to manage the crew (that’s you!).

We will leave on Saturday around 9:00 am and will first ‘sail’ a bit, explain and practice before the first race will start at 10:00 am.
The finish time depends of course on how much wind there is, and how well we sail.

Sunday, April 2, after the second game we will moor in Volendam again, and it will be disembarked around 4:00 PM.
There will be an opportunity to attend the award ceremony around this time.

More information

The ship can be reached by public transport in Volendam (5 minutes’ walk from the bus stop), paid parking options are available.
This trip is full board so bedding, food and drinks are provided.
Given the character of this trip (a competition) the food will be simple, but tasty – because the sailing is of course a priority!

This trip can be booked through HollandSail. This is a cooperative of skippers and ship owners of which we are members. You can book through this page!

>>Click here to book orus >> .

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