Frisia and the Ijsselmeer

Sailing ships are a common sight in the province of Frisia. The largest lake district of The Netherlands is a popular sailing spot not only because of its numerous modern marinas and a wide variety of recreational activities, but also for its beautiful landscape, its picturesque villages and little towns, which make your holiday both relaxing and varied.

Opening of bridges and locks
The operation time for bridges and locks has been extended. From the first of April to the first of November the bridges will be open seven days a week from 9 am to 7 pm, except for work breaks from 12 am to 1 pm and from 4.15 pm to 5.15 pm. In summer (June to September) the bridges will be open until 8 pm.

Workum is one of the most beautiful
towns of Frisia

The Ijsselmeer
A real sailing trip into the Ijsselmeer can only be said to begin where salt and freshwater meet in the locks. Inbound the entrances to the Ijsselmeer are at the locks Den Oever on the north- west side and Kornwerderzand on the north side of the dike. Since the completion of the gigantic dike building project in 1932 the river Rhine feeds the Ijsselmeer. The Zuiderzee, isolated from the Waddenzee, became an inland sea. Reclamation of land was the watchword and the project reclaimed what the sea had taken some 2000 years to achieve.

Not to be underestimated
Until 1995 the Ijsselmeer had lost nearly 170,000 hectares of its former size, and more small polders are planned. "There are no currents or tides of any importance any more, but the sea bottom still looks as it did a thousand years ago, and that makes sailing on the Ijsselmeer a little difficult sometimes." Mischja Hamersma, sailor, seafaring student and captain-to-be knows about these under water phenomena. Its deep tides and very shallow zones combined with the wind exerts a strong influence on the swell. This can result in uncommonly rough seas, which make up-to-date nautical charts and weather forecasts indispensable, even on the Ijsselmeer.

Makkum

Makkum
Within a stoneŽs throw from the lock near Kornwerderzand lies Makkum. Like most of the towns on the Frisian shore of the Ijsselmeer Makkum was once a fishing village. However, what made Makkum famous around 1700 was its faiences and ceramics manufacture, which till this day is the oldest family business in the Netherlands. Even nowadays the brilliance and luminance of tin-glaze can only be achieved with traditional techniques. If you want to see the manufacture, the historical town centre and other places of interest, you are spoilt for choice when looking for somewhere to berth. Not only does the small harbour offer berths to boats with a draught up to 1.2 metres, there are plenty of other options. Watersport services are an important branch of business in Makkum, and competition keeps the prices low.

Marinaland
"The local yacht clubs offer visitors berths just like the plentiful marinas do in Makkum," Mischja tells us, "but most of the sailors choose marinas like the Prins Yacht Club or the Marina Makkum." The modern marinas on the Ijsselmeer offer every possible comfort. Excellent sanitary facilities, coin-operated laundries and supermarkets are standard. Not only does the name Marina Makkum stand for comfort there are also excellent fitness facilities. Snack-bars, cafés and restaurants abound as well as a tennis court and an indoor swimming pool. Naturally none of the larger ports are missing technical services, filling stations, shops for watersports equipment and cranes.

Workum
Six miles south the scene is nearly the same. In Workum the Marina It Soal offers similar conveniences, and the harbour of the town is accessible only for boats which draw up to 1.2 metres. In addition to the Marina It Soal there are two more marinas on the banks of the Het Zool canal. There is also the possibility to moor directly in front of the small lock of the town, the Schutsluis. Though there are only toilets and showers, it provides a good alternative to the town's harbour. "Workum certainly is one of the most beautiful towns of Frisia. In the past eels have been traded from here to England and above all flat-bottomed boats have been built. Some of the shipyards still exist today." The market place in between the two churches, a lot of nice pubs and shops make a stroll along the cobblestone streets an enjoyable pastime.”