Leidse Onderlinge | Stormvloed van '26

Saturday the 20th of June, a team form Aqua participated in the Leidse Onderlinge. We had a team of three (which was a bit of a handicap), and managed to go from start to finish within seven hours. 

For the people who are not familiar with this sailing match: in this match you are allowed to use everything in your advantage except for an engine or help from outside. This means that at some points you are sailing, but most of the times you are also paddling, ‘boomen’, ‘jagen’ (or swimming).

The theme of this years edition was Stormvloed of '26, old, dutch. In true Aqua fashion we planned to go as historic farmers, however the execution was dissappointing. Elena was dressed in full fashion, but me (Olaf) and Niek were a bit underdressed for the theme, but more practical for the race. 

For the race itself, we started quite bad, but after rounding the upwind buoy, we managed to fuck with an opponent. However, this then made us end up in 15th place (out of 18). Than we made a huge jump to 8th place after which we met with the team of Boreas. Then we teamed up with them, because we did not have two paddles, but one. 

Then when we reached the Braassemmermeer, we even sailed side to side with Boreas, until the wind separated us and it was time for lunch.

Then after the lunch we separated from Boreas and did a lot of 'jagen', until we had reached a turn into a place where we could not do this again. 

After a very long sailing match, we managed to find the finish line and finish in 10th place! It was a very fun race and amazing good vibe with our sister associations. 

Next year we hope to get a team of five, so we can use all of our power to perhaps finish in the top 5.