1-3 Sept 2023
2022 was the most international Raid Extreme ever with boats from the UK, France, Germany and rhe Netherlands. The weather was challenging but everybody made it safely back to Omaho Beach.
Non-organizers Koos and Hubert kept the event very low key and masterfully limited their efforts to the briefing on Friday evening and buying more or less appropriate trinkets for the prizegiving.
It was all very friendly and relaxed, thanks to you, our competitors!
Later it appeared that the event was generating more interest than we had foreseen.
Says Koos: 'We are now at a crossroads. Do we want to grow the event, or keep it as is?
We choose the latter. We like the informal atmosphere, and DIY mentality, while keeping the organisational "burden" as low as possible. This means we will set a limit of 25 boats,'
And so it happened. 18 veterans responded to the invitation email. On 26 February 2022 we opened the registration page for newcomers.
On 24th March Hans was the 25th boat to register. This means that new entries will be added to the reserve list: first come, first served!
The 2022 Edition:
Windy but fun
With Covid finally out of the way, twenty-three boats from France, Germany, UK and the Netherlands made it to the 2022 Raid Extreme.
Emmanuel Conrath's Silmaril XL 'Vita Brevis' and Julian's Jewelbox Jr made their maiden trips at the event - and survived.
The start was very windy with Omaho Beach at the lee shore. Many boats struggled to get away.
There were some breakages, including last year's winner Bert Schilder.
During the afternoon the conditions eased up a bit and everybody made it safely back by 1700 hours. After the prize giving the barbecues were fired up and smiles lit up our exhausted faces.
Read more about the 2022 edition in our report.
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RACE DAY
It is Saturday 0530 hours. It is still dark but you are awake in your tent. You hear other people getting ready for the race.
Quickly you slip into your clothes and walk to Omaho beach to prepare your boat by the light of your headlamp.
Once you are ready you stop at the Omaho Beach clubhouse for some breakfast.
You grab your sailing gear and join the others at Omaho Beach to count down to the start.
Then you are off to the water at sunrise.
During the following hours you sail and row to reach as many checkpoints as you can.
1130 hours: a little later than planned you land at Gin and Tonic' island to eat your lunch. You discuss progress with some of the other sailors. Then it is time to go again. You hurry to reach more GPS checkpoints while looking around how others fare.
Can you still get that to last checkpoint?
1650 hours: you made it in time with minutes to spare. Did you get all checkpoints? It doesn't matter anymore. You are tired but you made it.
It has been a wonderful day.
BOATS
Open for all types of craft. Sail canoes, SUPs, catamarans, sail and oar boats, no engines allowed. Shallow draft boats are at an advantage. Be ready to make the course on muscle and wind power. Be ready to row upwind through small creeks. Be ready for waves and wind. Would it not be interesting, to see how all these boats fare?
PLACES
The start and finish of the Raid Extreme 'Omaho Beach', the catamaran club at the entrance of Jachthaven Lauwersmeer in Oostmahorn. The club house at Omaho Beach will be the base camp during the event.
On race day, you have just over 10 hours to complete as many checkpoints as you like as long as you return at Omaho Beach before 1700 hours.
SAFETY / COVID
The Lauwersmeer can be a dangerous place. In big winds, big waves can build up at the lee shore. The central location of Oostmahorn means that you are never far from a safe haven. If you are not sure about safety, your equipment or necessary precautions, please ask.
Hopefully we will all be vaccinated by early September but we expect that Covid will still be around. We will follow government guidelines to make the Raid possible if we can and adjust our plans if necessary.
COSTS
We want to keep the Raid Extreme as light and informal as possible.
Our motto is 'you pay nothing, you get nothing'. So do not expect fancy prizes, rescue boats, racing committee, catering, prizegiving dinners, child care facilities or any form of organization and get ready to do your own thing.
We listed useful contacts in the Race Pack so that you make your own arrangements for your stay. Then it is very much bring your own boat, food and drink and be surprised how quickly you become friends with your fellow competitors.
How can you help to keep this free event going?
By making a cash donation at the Omaho clubhouse to our hosts, the folks of the Omaho sailing club. Thanks!
Our Friends
The Raid Extreme is lucky to have friends. Many of our past competitors became friends.
Ingo and Eckhard of EM2 even created their own Raid Extreme Germany event to be held on 14 August 2021 - more info at their website.
We are glad with our loyal friends at the Omaho sailing club, who let us use their clubhouse and beach at the Raid Extreme events.
