Category: News
Column 2: WaterWijs with Swim is cool – Swimming ambassador Max Delissen from AlkmaarA swimming certificate is a wonderful possession. It is proof that you have learned to swim. You can save yourself in the water, you have practiced, persevered, and perhaps even gathered the courage a few times to jump off that diving board. But a certificate is not an end point, but rather a beginning.
More than learning to swim
After all, learning to swim is ultimately about more than just the right technique. It’s about confidence, moving alone or together, and having fun. It’s about feeling what the water is doing to you, knowing when to keep going and when to pause for a moment. Water requires something different from you than a gym or a football field. You have to learn to float, move, look, react, and sometimes… help each other.
That is something that I find important as a swimming ambassador for Alkmaar. Because being able to swim is one thing, but really feeling confident in the water is something else.
Discover what water does to you
That's exactly where Swim is cool begins. Not only with the question of how fast you can swim from one side to the other, but especially with the question of what is possible in and around the water.
At Alkmaar Sport, students from groups 5 to 8 discover that swimming has many aspects. In the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool, they play water polo one minute, then learn what a jellyfish is or how to save themselves and others. The children jump, dive, balance, throw, catch and move in ways they may not have tried before.
Water makes children curious. It frees them from their habitual patterns. Anyone who stumbles on dry land can suddenly move fluidly in the water. Anyone who normally doesn’t lead the way may turn out to be an excellent swimmer, rescuer, or a natural team player. In the water, every child has the chance to rediscover who they are and what they can do.
Five different ways to look at water
The five themes of Swim are cool and showcase this versatility: Save Your Friend, Sea Heroes, Dive into Swimming, Athletic Skills Model and Free Swimming XL.
Five perspectives, five different experiences. Together they form a program where fun and skill go hand in hand. Because children often learn the most when they fully immerse themselves in something. When practicing doesn’t feel like practice, but rather like discovery.
And maybe that’s what I find so beautiful about swimming. In the water, it’s not always about who is the fastest or strongest. Sometimes it’s about daring, working together, or discovering that you can do something you didn’t even know you could do yourself.
WaterWijs for life
Swim is cool makes children WaterWijs. The sea, a pond, a lake or a swimming pool: water is attractive. You can exercise and have fun in it, but water also carries risks. Knowing what to do, recognizing danger and being able to help others are skills that last a lifetime. Not as a heavy lesson, but as an inherent part of growing up.
Swim is cool teaches children not only how to swim. It also teaches them about courage, attention and responsibility. It teaches them about the power of collaboration. It teaches them about the space that arises when you dare to entrust yourself to something greater than yourself.
And maybe that is the most beautiful lesson of all: you don’t have to control the water to feel at home in it. You have to learn to listen to what it asks of you.
So: bring your swimsuits, get the whole class together and head into the water. Not just to go for a swim, but to move, to play, to learn and to get to know each other better. Feel free to contact me for more information or take a look around sometime. www.hoornsevaart.nl/swimiscool.
Because anyone who becomes WaterWijs comes home with more than just wet hair.
Swimming is fun!
With sparkling regards,
Swimming Ambassador Alkmaar
Max Delissen
From Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 October, there is plenty of opportunity to swim and exercise at Hoornse Vaart Swimming Pool during the autumn holidays. The pool operates extra spacious opening hours and offers an extensive aquafitness program in addition to recreational swimming. Every afternoon, the 17-meter Obstacle Run Marine XL is held in the 50-meter pool. In addition, there is free entertainment daily and the Experience Center is set up in the instruction pool. Additional swimming lessons and quick courses are also being organized. More information about the program and the adjusted opening hours can be found on www.hoornsevaart.nl/vakantie.
Obstacle Run Marine XL in the 50-meter pool
Anyone who enjoys climbing and climbing can come to the Obstacle Run Marine XL every afternoon. The 17-meter-long obstacle course in the 50-meter pool is all about climbing, balancing, and ultimately landing in the water with a splash. In addition, free entertainment is organized every day. For younger visitors, the Experience Center is located in the instruction pool during the holidays. This means that even children who find the large pool a bit exciting can discover enough to their own liking.
Extra practicing during the holidays
Children who want to practice extra for their swimming certificate can participate during the autumn holidays. extra swimming lessons. In addition, Quick courses organized for the B and C diploma.
There is plenty of action outside the water as well
There is plenty of action also outside the swimming pool during the autumn holiday. Recreational climbing can be done at the neighbors of Outdoorpark Alkmaar from Monday 12th to Friday 16th October. With a climbing ticket for the Outdoorpark, the participant receives a free swimming ticket for swimming pool Hoornse Vaart. More information about the program and the adjusted opening hours can be found on www.hoornsevaart.nl/vakantie.
Sports Advantage Subscription holders will be extra spoiled in October. Earlier we already announced that they can participate for free in a track cycling clinic. But that is not all: we have yet another sporting gift! On Sunday 4 October, season ticket holders can take part for free in a video analysis clinic by Personal Swimming with Olympian Bas van Velthoven at the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool.
Look at your swimming stroke from a different angle
What does your swimming stroke actually look like underwater? During this clinic, you will get a literal view of that. In a small group, underwater footage will be recorded of your swimming stroke. You will then review the footage immediately at the poolside together with Bas van Velthoven.
You can see where your areas for improvement lie and receive practical tips that you can then immediately apply back in the water. Every swimming stroke can be analysed and swimmers of all levels can participate.
Why video analysis?
When swimming, you only see a small part of what your body is doing in the water. That is precisely why video analysis can provide a lot of insight. By watching yourself back, movements become visible that you can barely perceive while swimming.
Even top athletes use video analysis to further improve their swimming technique. During the clinic, you will therefore also view footage of various Olympic swimmers. This allows you to see how a swimming stroke is technically executed and discuss together which improvements are achievable and applicable for you. The goal is not to swim with technical perfection. Sometimes, small adjustments in particular can ensure that you move through the water more easily and efficiently, and therefore swim with even more enjoyment.
Three clinics on Sunday 4 October
You can take part at one of the following times:
- 09:00 – 10:00
- 10:00 – 11:00
- 11.00 – 12.00
Location: Hoornse Vaart swimming pool, Alkmaar
Cost: free for Sports Benefit Subscription holders
Guidance: Bas van Velthoven of Personal Swimming
Take this extra treat as well
Do you have a Sports Benefit Subscription And would you like to see yourself back underwater? Then grab this second sporty extra of October as well and discover with a few targeted tips what you can improve in your swimming technique. Participation is free and exclusive to Sports Advantage Subscription holders. There are 20 places available per time slot, so sign up in good time.
Want to use the cycling track for free too?
In addition to this swimming clinic, Sports Advantage subscription holders can also take part in a track cycling clinic free of charge at Sportpaleis Alkmaar this October. Would you like to know more about that? Read more about the free track cycling clinic here.
One more swim, one last time down the slide and sharing memories together. On Sunday 27 September, the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool will close the outdoor pool season in a special way. The current outdoor pool will then make way for the construction of the new swimming and sports complex. Visitors are invited to share their best photos and memories and can come and swim that afternoon from 13:00 to 16:00 for €1.
For many people in Alkmaar, the outdoor pool is a familiar place. People swam and played, went down the slide, and enjoyed the lawn on warm days. Now that the current outdoor pool is making way for new construction, the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool wants to reflect with visitors on the memories created here over the years.
What is your fondest memory?
Swimming pool Hoornse Vaart is therefore looking for stories and photographs from visitors. Perhaps you used to come here yourself as a child and later with your own children. Maybe you spent every summer here, went down the slide endlessly or still have a special photograph from days gone by.
What is your fondest memory of the outdoor pool? Share your story or photo via the website. A selection of the entries will be used to look back together on the current outdoor pool.
One last swim for €1
On Sunday 27 September, visitors can enjoy the current outdoor pool one last time. Until 13:00, the outdoor pool is open as usual for family swimming. From 13:00 to 16:00, everyone can come swimming for €1. Tickets for this afternoon are only online and available via the payment kiosk in the hallway.
At 15:50 there is a joint final moment at the slide. Visitors can then go down the slide together one last time. Saying a full goodbye to the slide is not necessary: it will return as part of the new swimming and sports complex.
From memories to something new
With the closure of the current outdoor pool, a new era begins for the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool. The outdoor pool and sunbathing lawn will make way for the new construction. During the construction work, the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool will remain open for swimming, but there will temporarily be no outdoor pool.
The new swimming and sports complex will open in 2029. This will once again feature an outdoor pool, including facilities for lane swimming and a new sunbathing lawn. As a result, 27 September marks not only the closure of the current outdoor pool, but also the transition to a new era for the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool.
And afterwards: the doggy paddle
Following the swimmers, it is traditionally the dogs' turn. From 16:00 to 18:00, the outdoor swimming season is brought to a close with the dog swim. The dog pays an entrance fee, while the owner gets in for free.
Practical information 27 September
- Until 13:00: regular family swimming
- 13:00 to 16:00: swimming for €1, tickets for the 13:00 to 16:00 swimming session are available exclusively online and via the payment kiosk in the foyer.
- 15:50: joint final moment by the slide
- 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm: dog swimming
You can share photos and memories via the form below
Outdoor pool – share your most beautiful memory
More information about the new build of the Hoornse Vaart swimming and sports complex can be found on the website of Municipality of Alkmaar.
Free track cycling clinic for Sport Benefit Subscription holdersAt Alkmaar Sport, we regularly surprise our Sports Advantage Subscription holders with fun extras and special sporting experiences. This time, we are getting on our bikes! Sports Advantage Subscription holders can take part in a track cycling clinic for free at Sportpaleis Alkmaar on Friday 2 October from 19:00 to 21:00.
Experience the thrill of track cycling
Always wanted to experience what it is like to cycle on a real cycling track? During this coaching session, you will be introduced to the basics of track cycling under the guidance of an instructor. You will ride on the wooden cycling track of Sportpaleis Alkmaar and discover what it is like to ride a real track bike. You will start gently with an explanation and get acquainted with the bike and the track. Afterwards, you will get to work yourself with various exercises. Experience of track cycling is not necessary.
One of the last chances in the current Sportpaleis
This clinic is extra special. The current Sportpaleis Alkmaar will make way for a brand-new multi-purpose sports complex in the coming years. This therefore makes it one of the last chances to take part in a track cycling clinic on this exact cycling track. Hit the track one last time in the current Sportpaleis before a new chapter begins!
Free for Sports Benefit Subscription Holders
The clinic is free and exclusive to Sport Voordeel Subscription holders of Alkmaar Sport.
- Date: Friday 2 October 2026
- Time: 19:00 to 21:00
- Reception: from 18:45
- Location: Sportpaleis Alkmaar
- Cost: free for Sports Benefit Subscription holders
Registration takes place 15 minutes before the start of the clinic in the Sportpaleis. Please use the entrance directly next to the main entrance. You can reach the central pitch via the corridor near the changing rooms and the tunnel. You can check in there. Changing rooms and showers are available. Please note that the catering facilities will be closed during the clinic. Would you like to take part? Then sign up via the button below.
The alarm goes off early again, the lunch boxes are on the kitchen counter and the bags are ready in the hallway. The summer holiday is already a distant memory by now. For many families, September mainly means: back into the routine. School, work, football, swimming club, hockey, music lessons and everything else that has to fit into the schedule in between. And somewhere between all those fixed moments, something disappears that often felt very natural in the summer: swimming.
From holiday feeling to weekly schedule
In the summer, you don't need to explain to anyone why water is fun. Children jump into the swimming pool, look for cooling off in a lake or are already standing ready in their swim trunks on holiday before breakfast is ready. Adults also more readily take a dip when it's warm.
But as soon as everyday life starts again, swimming sometimes takes on a different place. Then it quickly becomes something to do with swimming lessons, holidays or an occasional visit to the swimming pool. I actually think that's a shame.
My name is Max Delissen and I am Swimming Ambassador for Alkmaar. Swimming and aquatic sports have played a major role in my life for over 50 years. In the coming columns, I would like to show why water continues to fascinate me. Not only from the perspective of sport, but also health, enjoyment, safety and everything you can learn in the water. Because swimming does not stop once you have obtained your certificate.
A skill you must keep doing and using
We think it is completely normal for a child to go to the swimming pool less often after getting a swimming certificate. It is logical too. But swimming is just like cycling, running or catching a ball: the more often you do it, the easier and more familiar it remains.
A certificate shows that you have mastered certain skills at the time you pass your swimming test. After that, the most important part actually begins: continuing to move in the water.
That really doesn't always have to be serious or performance-driven. Playing, diving, having little races, going down the slide, swimming underwater or just doing a few lengths: it all counts.
Precisely by continuing to do different things, you get to know your body better in the water. You become stronger, more adept and more confident. And the great thing is that you often don't even realise you're practising in the meantime.
Swimming can just be fun too
Perhaps that is something we sometimes forget. When it comes to swimming, we often talk about certificates, swimming safety and technique. All important, but fun is at least as important to ensure that someone continues swimming.
At Alkmaar Sport we therefore also try to look more broadly at movement in the water. At the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool and De Hout swimming pool, you can see daily how differently people swim. One person comes to do serious lengths, another to relax and children mainly want to discover everything that is possible in and under water.
Swimming is cool!
Also within Swim is cool, Alkmaar Sport's schools programme for pupils in years 5 to 8, it is not just about neatly swimming from one side to the other. In the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool, children are introduced to different ways of moving, working together and challenging themselves in the water.
I think that is important. Because those who keep enjoying swimming will probably also keep doing it for longer.
If you've developed a taste for swimming
And sometimes it doesn't stop at recreational swimming. If swimming really gets a hold of you, there is also competitive swimming. In Alkmaar, you can go to the swimming club DAW for this. There, you can get acquainted with competitive swimming, water polo and synchronised swimming at various ages. Three very different sports, but all with the same starting point: fun in the water and continuing to develop yourself.
A place in the ordinary rhythm
Now that the holidays are truly behind us, we are packing our weeks full again. Perhaps this is a good time not only to look at when training or music lessons start, but also at how often we actually still get into the water.
That doesn't need to be three times a week. It is mainly about ensuring that swimming doesn't slowly disappear as soon as the swimming certificates are in or the suitcases are back in the loft.
Summer may be over, but the joy of swimming doesn't need to be packed away with the holiday gear.
Swimming is fun!
With sparkling regards,
Swimming Ambassador Alkmaar
Max Delissen
What do you think of Hoornse Vaart swimming pool? Complete our customer satisfaction survey and get a chance to win a 10-swim pass worth €56.70! Do you come to us for lane swimming, aquafitness, recreational swimming, swimming lessons, or just for a fun trip to the pool with the children? Then we would love to hear what you think of Hoornse Vaart swimming pool.
Your opinion helps us to improve
What is going well? What could be better? And what would you like to see done differently? Your answers will give us a good idea of what our visitors consider important and where we can further improve our swimming pool. Filling in the questionnaire only takes a few minutes.
Win a 10-visit pass worth € 56.70
We are raffling off a among the participants 10-swim pass for Hoornse Vaart swimming pool worth €56.70. Get involved, share your opinion and be in with a chance!
Hoornse Vaart swimming pool is starting a new disco swimming season on Saturday 29 August. Every month, a disco night with a different theme is scheduled. The kick-off features a new theme: Beach & Surf Party. During the disco, children can swim and dance to music, and it is also possible to combine the evening with a children's party. More information and reservations are available via www.hoornsevaart.nl/discozwemmen.
A new theme every month
During disco swimming, the wave pool, the 25-metre pool and the water playground are transformed to match that month's theme. On Saturday 29 August, the first edition of the new season will have a sun, beach and surf theme during the Beach & Surf Party.
Various themes are also planned for the rest of the season. These include the Wild West, Halloween, Sinterklaas, Glow in the Dark, Valentine's Day, Superheroes, and the Pyjama Party, giving every disco night its own unique atmosphere.
The disco swimming is intended for children up to and including 13 years of age and lasts from 19:00 to 21:00. Children need a swimming certificate. Without a certificate, they can participate under the supervision of an adult.
Children's party during the disco
The monthly disco can also be booked as a children's party. The party starts at 18:00 with food, after which the music starts at 19:00 and the children can get into the pool. This way they can combine their birthday with swimming, music and that month's theme.
The first disco of the new season will take place on Saturday 29 August. More information about the themes, tickets and booking a children's party can be found via www.hoornsevaart.nl/discozwemmen.
Alkmaar will host a Dutch sports first on Sunday 30 August. Alkmaar Sport, in collaboration with Swim Performance, is organising the Netherlands' first H2ROX at the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool. In this new fitness race, participants alternate eight 200-metre swims with eight functional workouts. Around 100 participants will line up for this inaugural edition. The first participants will start from 13:00. Spectators can come and watch for free and cheer on the participants.
From France to Alkmaar
The concept originates from France and will be organised in the Netherlands for the first time on 30 August. Jelle de Boer of Swim Performance sees that more and more athletes are combining different training methods. “The principle is similar to HYROX, but at H2ROX running is replaced by swimming. This creates a completely different race, in which you need both swimming fitness and strength. H2ROX originated in France and we are thrilled to be able to bring this race to the Netherlands for the first time, together with Alkmaar Sport.”
De Boer sees the event in Alkmaar as the start of more H2ROX competitions. “We are pleased to be the first in the Netherlands to organise this together with Alkmaar Sport. It is great to be at the forefront of a new sports concept. This is the very first try-out of several H2ROX Events that will follow. We are starting with around 100 participants, which is a fantastic number for the first time. This is really going to be a celebration.”
Swimming and fitness combined
H2ROX combines swimming with exercises familiar from functional fitness. Every 200 metres of swimming is followed by a workout. These include burpee broad jumps, the Assault Bike, SkiErg, rowing, wall balls, lunges, farmer's carries and ground-to-overhead. In total, participants swim 1,600 metres and complete eight different workout stations. The entire race is raced against the clock and ends with an official finish time.
For both swimmers and fitness enthusiasts
According to the organisation, the competition is interesting for various types of athletes. Experienced swimmers will have to deal with tough exercises in between their swimming sections, whilst fitness athletes will be challenged by the 1,600 metres they cover in the water during the race.
The H2ROX takes place on Sunday 30 August at the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool in Alkmaar. The race starts at 13:00. Those not competing themselves are welcome to come and watch for free and cheer on the participants. More information about H2ROX can be found at www.h2rox.nl.
Standing ready on the Waagplein, searching under swivel chairs and deciphering cryptic clues. To bring the summer holidays to a fun close, Alkmaar Sport hid an envelope in the Alkmaar city centre every day from Monday 10 to Friday 14 August. Each envelope contained four complimentary tickets for the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool. The campaign created enthusiasm among children, parents, regular visitors and swimming enthusiasts who were poised to go on the hunt every day. Alkmaar Sport looks back with great pleasure on the campaign and especially on the many happy reactions from the searchers and finders.
Quickly on your way after every new clue
Every day, a blurry photo and a cryptic clue appeared on Facebook and Instagram. With these, participants could try to figure out where the envelope was hidden that day. That quickly resulted in avid sleuths.
On Tuesday, Mathijs, Mick and Wessel were the first to arrive at De Laat. They searched in the right spot, but just missed looking under the little chair where the envelope was. Another searcher beat them to it. Because the boys were so close and were the first ones searching, Alkmaar Sport still surprised them with four complimentary tickets.
‘We had a clever tactic’
A day later, it became clear how seriously some participants were taking the search. Brothers Thijs and Daan from Alkmaar found the envelope within five minutes near the Waagplein. Their cheering could be heard clearly.
“We had a clever tactic,” they said. “We knew the envelope would be hidden between 11:00 and 12:00, so we were ready at Waagplein from 11:00 onwards, right in the middle of Alkmaar town centre.”
Their tactic worked. After finding the envelope, Thijs and Daan went straight to the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool to use their free tickets.
A little more difficult each time
As the envelopes were found increasingly quickly during the week, Alkmaar Sport made the clues and hiding places progressively more difficult. The search ended on Friday at Piet's Mill, where the final envelope was hidden early due to the heat.
With the campaign, Alkmaar Sport wanted to bring the final week of the summer holidays to a playful close and let people experience something fun in the city. The enthusiastic reactions, keen seekers and happy finders made the campaign a success for the organisation.
