6-8 Sept 2024
Raid Extreme 2024: Canoes Rule!
There was just enough wind to sail but Bert Muller (Bert Ìsmiregal) paddled his two-person canoe all the way to victory, helped by 'auxiliary engine' Koos Winnips
Read the full report here .
RX 2024
Canoes rule
On 8 September 24 boats spent a long day on the Lauwersmeer sailing to the 6 GPS locations around the former estuary.
Bert and Koos finished after only 6 hours of paddling, even before the catamarans of Bert Schilder and Gerben Talsma.
After the prize giving sailmaker Marten Jan Giesing cooked delicious pizzas during the barbecue. Sunday brought brilliant sailing condtions. Many boats went on the water and appeared as extras in a film shoot.
Read the report here
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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 under 10 hours to complete as many checkpoints as you like as long as you return at Omaho Beach before 1700 hours.
SAFETY
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.
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
Many past competitors have become friends.Ingo and Bert of EM2 created their own Raid Extreme Germany on the Strelasund which is now held each year.
Many participants and we ourselves share the principle of sailing without an engine with our friends of Natuurlijk Varen and join their events.
We are very happy with our loyal friends at the Omaho sailing club, who let us use their clubhouse and beach at the Raid Extreme events.
