Category: News
Why swimming in winter is so enjoyableWinter doesn't always invite us to keep moving. It is dark, often cold and after a long day the sofa is tempting. Yet many people in Alkmaar and the surrounding area deliberately choose to keep swimming precisely during this period. Lane swimming and aquasports offer peace, structure and a way to stay active without the weather outside playing a part. At the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool you notice that the winter months have their own rhythm. Less hustle and bustle, a friendly atmosphere and warm water that invites you to move at your own pace.
Why swimming fits so well with winter
In winter, the body is often stiffer than in summer. Colder temperatures, less daylight and less exercise cause muscles and joints to feel tight more quickly. Swimming works pleasantly against this. The water supports your body, making movement feel lighter than on dry land.
In addition, indoor swimming is unaffected by the weather. No slippery pavements, no rain and no wind. You step into a warm environment and can start straight away. That makes it easier to choose a fixed time in the week and stick to it.
Lane swimming as a regular winter routine
For many swimmers lane swimming a regular part of their week. In winter, that often takes on extra value. The gentle pace, the sound of the water and the repetitive nature of the strokes help to clear your mind.
You decide for yourself how intensively you swim. Some people swim leisurely lengths to unwind, while others use the 50-metre pool to work purposefully on their fitness or technique. Especially in winter, there is often more space to swim at your own rhythm.
Lane swimming is often combined with other activities, but can also easily stand on its own. Just half an hour or an hour of swimming gives a satisfying feeling without leaving you exhausted for the rest of the day. You can read more about the possibilities at the recreational swimming.
Water sports provide structure and variety
Not everyone gets excited about counting lengths. Water sports then provide a nice variety. In the winter these classes are popular because they are accessible and at the same time provide structure. You know when you are going, you take part in a group and the class lasts exactly long enough.
Water sports combine exercise with the resistance of the water. That makes the exercises effective without feeling heavy. Many participants find that they step out of the pool feeling warm and supple after a class, which is nice on cold days.
The range is broad and suitable for various levels. Whether you want to exercise gently or are looking for a bit more of a challenge, there is always a form that suits you. On the page about aquafitness you can find an overview of the different lessons here.
Winter swimming without performance pressure
An important difference between winter and summer is the atmosphere. In winter, the emphasis is less on performance and more on persevering. Swimming does not have to be an end in itself; it can also simply be a moment for yourself.
Many visitors find that they remain more loyal in winter if they do not set the bar too high. One or two set times a week is often enough to maintain the sense of routine. That makes it easier to stay active in other parts of your life as well.
Warmth, tranquillity and clarity
Hoornse Vaart swimming pool features multiple indoor pools, meaning lane swimming and aqua sports take place alongside each other without getting in each other's way. That provides peace of mind and clarity. You know where you need to be and what you can expect.
In winter, the swimming pool feels like a sheltered spot. Outside it is dark and cold, inside it is light, warm and familiar. That contrast makes swimming especially appealing during this period.
A feasible winter routine
Those who keep exercising in the winter often notice that the transition to spring goes more smoothly. Your fitness level drops less and your body stays accustomed to regular movement. Lane swimming and aqua sports are easy to keep up with in this regard, as they require little preparation.
You only need to bring your swimming gear and can start immediately. That makes it easier to make it part of your week. Practical information about times can always be found on the page with opening hours.
Keep swimming, even when it's cold
Winter doesn't have to mean a break in your exercise routine. Right now, swimming can provide relaxation, warmth and a moment for yourself. Whether you choose to swim leisurely lengths or take an aquafitness class, the most important thing is that it suits you.
Many people discover that winter swimming is not just something to keep up until spring, but a period with its own charm. And once accustomed, many people often keep coming back even after that.
From Saturday 20 December up to and including Sunday 4 January, the Christmas holidays are once again just around the corner. Hoornse Vaart swimming pool is pulling out all the stops with extended opening hours for recreational swimmers, a varied aquafitness programme, free entertainment every day, a 15-metre-long obstacle course in the 50-metre pool every afternoon, and an Experience Center in the Instruction Pool for the little ones. Finally, Hoornse Vaart swimming pool is organising extra swimming lessons.
Free animation and assault course
Children who love climbing, scrambling and sliding are in for a treat, because from 20 December to 4 January every afternoon the 15-metre-long obstacle course will be in the 50-metre pool. For the very little ones, the Experience Center will be in the Instruction Pool every day. In addition, there is free entertainment every day. Everyone can join in the fun with the best water games in the afternoon, where great prizes can be won. The animation team guarantees a lot of fun!
Lane swimming & Aquafitness
During the Christmas holidays, the 50-metre pool is open for lane swimmers who want to maintain their fitness. In addition, an extensive aquafitness programme has been put together.
Extra holiday swimming lessons
On various days during the Christmas holidays, children can take part in extra swimming lessons at De Hout swimming pool in Alkmaar. On these days, lessons will be offered for various levels. Everyone – also children who do not take swimming lessons at Alkmaar Sport – is most welcome to take part in the extra swimming lessons.
Tips from Personal Swimming
The final weeks of the year are approaching, which are great weeks for swimming precisely now. In between all the festive moments, it is nice if you can dive into the water for a bit. Good for both body and mind to include a swim and a bit of focus on technique.
Swim when you can!
As swimmers, we know better than anyone how difficult it is to find regularity and structure during these weeks in particular. Our advice: try to let go of that and go swimming whenever you can. You could say that every time you swim is a win. So, don't make a choice based on how many times you can or would like to swim. Just head to the pool and make it a great swimming session.
Egyptian Crawl
The technical exercises in the weeks around Christmas and New Year have been chosen with this in mind. The Egyptian Crawl exercise is very challenging and can almost be seen as a kind of challenge. Something completely different for a change. Simply trying to perform this exercise almost achieves the desired result. By swimming with one lower leg out of the water, you engage your core more consciously, but you also end up making your kick higher up at the surface.
Front crawl progression
The front crawl build-up is a very good exercise for learning to translate technique into speed. After all, you can generate speed much more easily if you are already swimming with good technique. In addition, it also helps to get a good feel for where you need to apply pressure during your pull-through. The build-up also works well as a conditioning stimulus. Very nice after a few days of Christmas, which often consist mostly of sitting around and eating too much.
Great and challenging exercises to tackle during these final weeks of the year. And definitely go for a swim during this period, because that's always a good choice.
Happy Holidays!
Team Personal Swimming
Sport Advantage Subscription with 50% discount for new customers
Do you enjoy swimming or ice skating? Then now’s the perfect time to take advantage of this offer! During Black Friday week (Monday 24 November to Sunday 30 November 2025), new customers will receive a discount of no less than 50% on Alkmaar Sport’s Sport Voordeel Subscription. The promotion is designed to introduce new sports enthusiasts to our facilities at Hoornse Vaart swimming pool, De Hout swimming pool en De Meent ice rink. Have you had a Sport Advantage Subscription before, but did your subscription expire more than 6 months ago? Then you are allowed to make use of this discount again!
Get your subscription
- Adultswas €55.50 now €27.75
- Youthfrom € 32.75 for € 16.38
With this season ticket, you can swim and ice skate affordably for a year at Hoornse Vaart swimming pool (€2.15), De Hout swimming pool (€1.60) and De Meent ice rink (€2.90) per visit. Moreover, as a ticket holder, you will enjoy exclusive extras and fun surprises.
Sales channels and terms and conditions
During the promotional week, the subscription is exclusively available for purchase at the reception desks of swimming pool Hoornse Vaart, ice rink De Meent, and swimming pool De Hout. The Black Friday promotion only applies to new subscriptions and to customers who have not had an active Sports Advantage Subscription for at least six months. The discount does not apply to ongoing renewals and cannot be combined with other promotions.
What is more fun than being regularly surprised with special extras? At Alkmaar Sport, we like to go that extra mile for our loyal Sport Voordeel Subscription holders. That is why this month we have a unique opportunity for you: a free front crawl clinic under the guidance of Pieter and Maaike from Personal Swim Coach. Curious about all the details? You can read them below!
Exclusive front crawl clinic for Sport Advantage Subscription holders
During this special clinic at Saturday 29 November van 15:30 to 16:30 In the 50-metre pool, we dive straight into practice. You will experience how the coaches work, receive personal tips and discover how small adjustments in technique and breathing make a big difference. Because we work with a small group of a maximum of twenty participants, there is plenty of room for individual attention. The clinic is special and free for Sports Advantage Subscription holders, so that you can sample the power of good swimming technique in a relaxed and effective way.
Don't want to miss this opportunity? Then sign up directly via our website and secure your place. Please note: there are only 20 places available and once they're gone, they're gone! So what are you waiting for? We look forward to experiencing this special swimming experience together with you. See you at the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool!
Practical information
- DateSaturday 29 November
- Time15:30 – 16:30group 1 – sold outand from 16:30 to 17:30 (Year 2).
- Location50-metre pool
- Participantsmaximum of 20 participants
- Costfree for Sports Advantage Subscription holders
Don’t have a subscription yet? Get one now!
Aren't you already a proud owner of our Sports Advantage Subscription? Don't wait any longer and enjoy affordable swimming and ice skating, along with monthly surprises that make exercising even more fun. Purchase your subscription today and become part of our sporting community! You can find more information about the Sports Advantage Subscription on our website.
At Alkmaar Sport we regularly surprise our Sport Voordeel subscription holders with unique experiences and benefits. For September we have something very special in store: a chance to give your swimming technique a massive boost!
Always something extra with the Sports Advantage Subscription
Up Sunday 21 September did you get between 09:00 and 12:00 (in 3 time slots) the unique opportunity to participate for free in an exclusive video analysis. None other than Olympic top swimmer Bas van Velthoven from Personal Swimming shares his expertise and helps you to improve your technique with direct feedback and video footage.
Improve your swimming technique
The Technique Pit Lane is an innovative concept by Personal Swimming. Two lanes of the 50-metre pool are set up as a ‘pit lane’. Swimmers swim through this and receive personal points for improvement at the end of the lane based on video recordings. You can get to work immediately with these tips and have the opportunity to swim through the pit lane again later to test your progress. You can also ask all your questions about technique and training.
There is space for each time slot 15 season ticket holders. So do not wait too long and secure your place for this exclusive event. We look forward to welcoming you!
Weekly video tips
Perhaps you know Bas van Velthoven from the weekly tip and trick videos you see on the LED screen by the 50-metre pool. These useful videos give you practical insights to swim smarter and better.
Time slots
- 09:00 – 10:00
- 10.00 – 11.00
- 11:00 – 12:00
Don’t have a subscription yet? Get one now!
Aren't you already a proud owner of our Sports Advantage Subscription? Don't wait any longer and enjoy affordable swimming and ice skating, along with monthly surprises that make exercising even more fun. Purchase your subscription today and become part of our sporting community! You can find more information about the Sports Advantage Subscription on our website.
In October, a training course to become a swimming instructor starts in Alkmaar. A training course that is offered free of charge, including a work placement and a guarantee of a part-time job. The training takes about six months. After that, swimming instructors can independently teach a group of pupils.
Finding well-qualified staff is a challenge in the swimming pool industry. This was the reason for Alkmaar Sport and Holland Sport, operators of Hoornse Vaart swimming pool, De Hout swimming pool, De Beeck swimming pool and Het Baafje swimming pool, to start a swimming instructor training course for the second time. A specific prior education is not required; anyone in possession of a valid swimming certificate can participate.
A training course with a work placement and a job guarantee
“Swimming safety is very important in a water-rich country like the Netherlands. Within Alkmaar Sport and Holland Sport, we provide swimming lessons to approximately 3,000 children every week and want to be able to continue doing this at a high standard. That is why we intensively supervise trainees during their placement period to become swimming instructors within our teams,” explains Marcel Ruitenberg, who as location manager is responsible for the swimming pools of Alkmaar Sport.
A job with both satisfaction and enjoyment
Marcel says: “A job as a swimming instructor is a role with plenty of variety. You don't just give ABC swimming lessons, but also supervise and provide entertainment. Furthermore, passing on knowledge to swimming lesson children, teaching the next generation how to swim, is truly the best thing there is.”
“We are looking for people who are ready for a new challenge, want to return to work after a break or are looking for supplementary work, for example at the weekend,” explains Bert Vos, team manager of De Beeck swimming pool in Bergen. “As a swimming instructor, you do work that really matters. You teach children skills that they will enjoy for the rest of their lives and contribute to their safety in and around the water. Together with the children, you experience the successes of every jump, every stroke and every swimming certificate. That brings fulfillment, and at the same time a lot of fun.”
Teacher Monica's experiences: the training is even more fun than I thought!
Monica took part in the first edition of the training programme and has been working as a swimming instructor in Alkmaar and Bergen ever since. “I love water and used to take aquasport classes at the Hoornse Vaart. When I saw a post about the training on Facebook, I knew immediately that this was what I wanted to do. I like the variety best; first I give swimming lessons, then I supervise the disco or recreational swimming, followed by an hour of meetings with colleagues. We really do have a great team. Everyone is equal and that makes you feel at home quickly. It’s even more fun than I thought!”
Practical information
Marcel Ruitenberg concludes: “Get in touch with us, and you can ask any questions you have. Fancy the challenge and do we hit it off? Then you might just become a new swimming instructor in our team that teaches hundreds of children how to swim safely every year.”
The training programme starts on 6 October, lasts approximately 6 months and consists of six Mondays of theory from 09:15 to 16:00, a work placement period at one of the swimming pools, a first aid course and a lifesaving module. The participants are investing time. More information can be found at www.alkmaarsport.nl/swimming instructor.
The course is full. Registration is no longer possible.
This month, a great series of technique videos is scheduled once again on the LED screen at the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool. Olympian Bas van Velthoven has chosen exercises that are good to do, but also enjoyable—especially at this time of year. We asked Bas why these exercises are so good to do right now:
Relaxed and calm endurance training
“During the summer weeks, relaxed and easy endurance training sessions are good to do,”, so says Bas. “And an endurance session can also be a swimming session, where you swim relaxed laps for 20 minutes.” Perhaps you have just been on holiday or are still going away. Your ’new’ swimming season is just around the corner, or these are the final preparations for your triathlon or open-water event. This month's exercises will fit in very well then. They are not very difficult in terms of level and are easy to apply in swimming training. During this period, you specifically do not want to do overly difficult exercises. You want to avoid suddenly having to get very used to a new point for improvement. That is not the case with this month's exercises. They provide the necessary improvements to your swim strokes and maintain that great feeling of swimming.
Another tip
When you are going to do the exercises, ensure some extra focus and calm around the exercises. Swim the exercises in a kind of slow motion, from a good base with extra ‘core’ tension. This ensures a much better effect from the exercise. Try to combine the technique exercise with a bit of relaxed swimming, in order to apply the focus points in the stroke in this way. That way, your technique and swimming stroke will improve. Because there is always room for improvement, in order to swim with more enjoyment.
Curious about this month's exercises? Come to the Hoornse Vaart, check out the exercises with explanations on the big screen and get started! Good luck!
Outdoorpark Alkmaar is offering a varied range of sporty and adventurous activities for young and old alike this summer holiday. The programme includes the Outdoor Sports Day, the Outdoor 2-Day Event with Obstacle Run, Obstacle Fun and the new activity where you can play and climb freely. After all these activities, participants can take a refreshing dip in the adjacent Hoornse Vaart swimming pool for just €2. There is something for every adventurer to experience. More information and tickets can be found via www.outdoorparkalkmaar.nl/activiteiten-zomervakantie.
A sporty start to the summer holidays
The summer holiday at Outdoorpark Alkmaar kicks off on Saturday 12 July with the Outdoor Sports Day for children aged 6 to 14. During this day, participants can enjoy climbing, scrambling and sporty games. Afterwards, the children can cool off nicely in the swimming pool. The 2-Day Outdoor Event, specially for children aged 8 to 14, takes place on 14 and 15 July or 16 and 17 July. Here, participants learn archery, survival skills and take part in a challenging Obstacle Run which concludes the programme on 18 July.
New: free play and climbing
This year, Outdoorpark Alkmaar is introducing the new activity ‘free play and climbing’, giving children the freedom to create their own adventures in the park. “This is completely new for our park and it offers children a unique opportunity to decide for themselves what they want to do,” says Tom Leering, coordinator at Outdoorpark Alkmaar. “It is the perfect way to stimulate children's creativity and self-reliance while they are active outdoors.”
Variety and challenge with Obstacle Fun
For those who love short, intense challenges, there is Obstacle Fun. An hour-and-a-half session full of climbing, scrambling and racing through water. Available in July and August, this programme is ideal for children aged 8 to 12 looking for an adventurous time. “The aim is to give everyone the chance to discover and have fun, regardless of whether it’s their first time or not,” says Leering.
At Alkmaar Sport, we believe in rewarding loyalty and creating special moments for our Sports Advantage Season Ticket Holders. That is why we have another nice surprise in store for our season ticket holders this July.
Exclusive FloatFit class for Sports Benefit Subscription holders
Up Saturday 12 July can our valued season ticket holders participate free of charge in an exclusive FloatFit class in the 25-metre pool from 10:00 to 10:30. Discover this trend in aquafitness and experience a unique workout that gives you energy and improves your fitness.
Want to take part? Then sign up quickly via our website to secure your place. Be quick, because there are only 20 places available and when they're gone, they're gone. So what are you waiting for? Take part in this unique experience!
Practical information
- DateSaturday 12 July
- Time10:00 – 10:30
- Location25-metre pool
- Participantsmaximum of 20 participants
- Costfree for Sports Advantage Subscription holders
Don’t have a subscription yet? Get one now!
Aren't you already a proud owner of our Sports Advantage Subscription? Don't wait any longer and enjoy affordable swimming and ice skating, along with monthly surprises that make exercising even more fun. Purchase your subscription today and become part of our sporting community! You can find more information about the Sports Advantage Subscription on our website.
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