Mid August 2015 – SAIL Amsterdam

Since 1978 there have been 5 SAIL events in Amsterdam, the last few being every 5 years.  So we thought it would be worth staying around for this special event.

We snook into Sixhaven marina on Wednesday the 12th of August, a full week before the event started.  This marina is unusual even in Holland in that the rules of engagement are ‘If you can see water we have space’ according to the Harbourmaster.  Every day boats departed and every day boats arrive and gradually more stayed than left.  Although even at the height of the event people were coming and going, so don’t give up if you really want to visit.

On Friday we visited the PEK market on the North side of the river (Wed, Fri and Sat) and then on Saturday we went to the Noordermarkt which is near the city centre towards the northwest of the city.  It is on the canal side and features lots of fresh produce and artisan stalls.

The third day of market fest took us to the impromptu food and flea market in the Westerpark which is west of Central Station.  Lots of local stall holders in the location of the Cultuurpark.  Outside above.

And Inside.  The market is currently held on the 3rd Sunday of each month.  It had a great mix of bric-a-brac stalls and food stalls from all over the world.  We plumped for Jamaican Ackee and Saltfish with dumplings and Jerk Chicken.  The ladies sauce could give Levi Roots a run for his money.  The ladies were from Sheffield!  Of all the stalls…

Then we wandered round for a few days prior to the main event.

19th August – Wed – SAIL Welcome Parade

We managed to get a seat on a wall on the ‘Grassy Knoll’ near the ‘EYE’ film museum on the north bank.  One hour and a half early and people were starting to gather.

By the time the first ship arrived the ‘Stad Amsterdam’ the crowds had gathered.  Unusually for these events and a key feature to this event is that the Tall Ships are accompanied by an Armada of small craft and some not so small craft.  In fact anything that floats.

The younger members of crew were stationed in the rigging here.

Me in my Hartlepool Tall Ships T-shirt purchased in 2010 which we now know must have been the previous place on their route that year for the last SAIL event.

The small craft leaving the main parade through the lock on the Sixhaven canal.  The trend for these small open boats could not have been timed better for this event.

The 60 Tall Ships moored all around the event site and the crowds filtered passed all day.

The small ships also continued their promenade around the tall ships for the whole 5 days.  Morning, noon and especially night for the nightly fireworks displays.

This guy was playing a trumpet with one hand and playing a barrel organ with the other hand.  He then extended his fishing rod with a clog for donations.

The clog boat was a good example of some of the extra-ordinary craft we saw.

Mick at the far end of the event.  You can see it was quite a trek.

22nd August – Sat – Day 4

The unsung hero’s of the week were the ferry operators who continued to operate amongst the mayhem. Their advantage was a very loud horn which left no one in any doubt they were making way.  Bigger ferries were deployed which would take 1100 passengers per trip.   One had a musical duo of two clarinettist's to entertain the weary, but jubilant crowds.

We went on the ferries to NDSM-werf near Amsterdam Marina.  The highlight were the Ocean 60 World Yacht Race boats.   Also lots of stalls and amusements.

23rd August – Sunday – Farewell Parade

The Farewell parade was the best attended yet.  People were clinging to every vantage point.

This house boat was filled with revellers.

The marina had been very busy and our view of the canal had been limited but on the last day many boats left and I took this picture from the back of the boat.

The big difference with this event to the usual sailing events was it did not feel like people were there just to sell you something, it was all about the joy.  Joy of people taking trips on the Tall Ships, joy of the crowds, joy of the constant water parade. 

There were enough food stalls, but not too many, people cleaned the streets constantly, bins were emptied and the toilets were clean!

It was a thoroughly well organised event, full of good humour, electrifying buzz and joyfulness.

A real life experience.  Thanks Amsterdam!