Category: News
Final weeks of the year, what do you need to do?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.
With an overwhelming turnout of both swimmers and spectators, the very first edition of Open Water Alkmaar, organised by Alkmaar Sport in collaboration with swimming clubs OEZA and DAW, has been a huge success. While organisers had initially expected around 500 participants, considerably more sports enthusiasts ultimately appeared at the start in the Hoornsevaart. This instantly makes the event the largest open water swimming event in the Netherlands.
The programme was spectacular: official KNZB competitions, performance swims over various distances and beach water polo demonstrations. Sports Alderman Christiaan Peetoom of the Municipality of Alkmaar gave the starting signal for the official 1000-metre freestyle and later in the day presented a medal to an enthusiastic participant in the recreational 2000-metre swim.
Super proud
Max Delissen, Swimming Ambassador of Alkmaar Sport, looks back with exceptional pride on this first edition: “We had hoped for a good turnout, but this exceeds all our expectations. It is fantastic to see how many people found their way to the Hoornsevaart, both participants and supporters. The collaboration with swimming clubs OEZA and DAW was excellent. We are super happy that there was so much attention for the event: from media to spectators and other interested parties. It shows that Alkmaar is ready to become the prime location for open water swimming.”
Thank you everyone!
The atmospheric match day was enhanced by summer conditions and a sporting atmosphere in which experienced competitive swimmers, recreational swimmers and youthful debutants entered the water side by side. Moreover, the beach water polo proved to be a popular addition and drew large crowds along the water's edge.”
We would like to thank rowing club ARZV as host and of course all the sponsors and volunteers who helped to make this event possible. Without their dedication this would never have succeeded. We are extremely grateful for that,” adds Max Delissen. Alkmaar Sport will soon evaluate with all parties involved to improve the Open Water Alkmaar even further in 2026. The date for the second edition is already known: Sunday 28 June 2026.
On Sunday 29 June 2025, Alkmaar Sport, in collaboration with swimming clubs OEZA and DAW, is organising the first edition of Open Water Alkmaar. This spectacular event takes place from 10:00 in the unique open water of the Hoornsevaart and accommodates both recreational swimmers and official KNZB competitions. Participants swim in an atmospheric setting past the classic windmills and the beautiful landscape. In addition to the swimming events, beach water polo provides an extra sporting addition to the programme. Tickets for the recreational distances and more information are available via www.hoornsevaart.nl/owa.
The largest open water swimming event in the Netherlands
“Open Water Alkmaar is the open water event that brings recreational and competitive swimmers together,” says Max Delissen, swimming ambassador at Alkmaar Sport and the driving force behind the initiative. “Whether you are young or old, just starting out with swimming or have years of experience: anyone with A and B swimming certificates is welcome. We want to get as many people enthusiastic about the sport of swimming as possible. You swim in a beautiful setting, past classic windmills, in good company and with a wonderful atmosphere. It is precisely that unique combination of recreational and competitive swimming that makes this the largest open water swimming event in the Netherlands.”
For recreational athletes of all levels
The recreational distances of 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 metres are accessible to anyone with at least a swimming certificate A and B. The shorter distances (250 and 500 metres) are free of charge, whereas participation in the longer distances (1000 and 2000 metres) costs €15 including chip timing. The recreational distances start from 11:40 and registration is easy via www.hoornsevaart.nl/owa. Besides the recreational events, official KNZB distances for competitive swimmers have been included in the programme. These start at 10:00 and registration is via mijnowz.knzb.nl.
Beach water polo as a side event
“Besides the unique course past the traditional windmills, we also have a spectacular addition to the programme with beach water polo,” said Max Delissen. “It's a dynamic and fun side-event that fits the atmosphere of the day perfectly and is definitely worth watching.”
Everyone is welcome!
Max continues: ”per recreational distance there are about 100 places available, so I advise everyone to sign up quickly. All practical information and tickets can be found at www.hoornsevaart.nl/owa. I look forward to welcoming as many enthusiastic swimmers as possible on 29 June!”
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