Alkmaar Sport is celebrating its 10th anniversary and would love to celebrate this milestone together with its members! For the month of March, we are launching a festive anniversary ticket for just €10. Can 1 adult with 1 child not only skate a lap at De Meent, but also take a dip in the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool. The anniversary tickets are exclusively available via the anniversary page of Alkmaar Sport.
Alkmaar Sport is putting its 10e birthday celebrations continue with a range of sporting activities. In March, the focus will be on both the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool and De Meent ice rink. With the special anniversary ticket, you can take one adult and one child to skate at De Meent ice rink once and swim at the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool once during the month of March. You’ll receive four separate admission tickets, so you can choose for yourself when between 1 and 31 March you’d like to go swimming or ice-skating. Normally, this combination ticket costs €21.40, but to mark the 10th anniversary, Alkmaar Sport is offering it for €10. That’s a discount of over 53%!
Of course you can pocket this price difference. It is, after all, a birthday present from Alkmaar Sport. But: you can also consider donating (a part of) the difference to the children's ward of the Noordwest Ziekenhuisgroep, the charity we are supporting in our anniversary year.
On Saturday 16 March, the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool is organising a three-hour Aquafitness Marathon in the wave pool. At the Alkmaar pool, participants will take on the challenge of various styles of aquafitness for three hours, led by upbeat music. The Aquafitness Marathon starts at 19:00 and ends at 22:00. Tickets are available for €14.50 via the button below.
On Saturday 16 March, the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool will be dedicated to this sporting challenge. During the marathon, participants will work on strength and fitness under the guidance of an experienced and enthusiastic instructor. The evening promises to be intense, with non-stop exercising without breaks. Naturally, it will kick off with a good warm-up to prepare the muscles for the challenge ahead.
Aqua fitness offers countless benefits for the body. As well as improving blood circulation, stamina and coordination, exercising in water also boosts calorie burn. With calorie burn 40% higher than for exercises outside the water, half an hour of aqua fitness is equivalent to an hour and a half of running! What’s more, the buoyancy of the water minimises the risk of injury, making aqua fitness suitable for people of all fitness levels.
Tickets for the Aquafitness Marathon are available online for €14.50 via the button below. Don't miss this unique opportunity to enjoy three hours of an intensive and refreshing workout in the water!
On Saturday 17 February, Sport Advantage Subscription holders can take part in an exclusive front crawl clinic for free between 10:30 and 11:30. Let Personal Swim Coaches Esther and Jackie guide you in the 25-metre pool at Hoornse Vaart swimming pool. To take part, sign up quickly via the button below. There are only 20 places available, so be quick, as full is full!
The clinic is ideal for both beginners and advanced swimmers and provides an in-depth insight into the fundamentals of front crawl. We will not only cover the theory, but above all do plenty of practical exercises. Don't forget to bring your goggles and water bottle, and if you have extra swimming gear, such as swim fins, pull buoy, kickboard or snorkel, feel free to bring them along! It will be an enjoyable and educational morning where we will work together to improve your front crawl technique.
For athletes who love ice skating, swimming or want to discover both sports, Alkmaar Sport has renewed the Sports Advantage Subscription. A personal annual subscription that lets you swim and ice skate at cheaper rates. In addition, there are regular nice extras for subscription holders. More information about the Sports Advantage Subscription can be found on our Sports Benefit Subscription page.
For athletes who love ice skating, swimming or want to discover both sports, Alkmaar Sport has renewed the Sports Advantage Subscription. A personal annual subscription that lets you swim and ice skate at cheaper rates. In addition, there are regular nice extras for subscription holders. More information about the Sports Advantage Subscription can be found on our Sports Benefit Subscription page.
The Sports Benefit Subscription is a personal annual subscription. After purchase, athletes receive a reduced (cheaper) rate for both the De Meent ice rink and the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool and the De Hout swimming pool. In addition, a subscription allows you to go straight through the turnstiles, the gates. This therefore saves waiting at the ticket office.
The renewed Sports Benefit Subscription offers not only advantageous rates but also surprising extras. Subscription holders are regularly surprised by the ice rink and swimming pools. Think of prize draws, an extra skating or swimming session, training sessions and clinics, or special activities exclusively for Sports Benefit Subscription holders.
The subscription costs €51 for adults and €30 for persons under 18. This brings the admission price at De Meent ice rink to €2.70 per visit. Admission to the Alkmaar swimming pools with this is €2.00 at the Hoornse Vaart and €1.40 at De Hout swimming pool. A Sports Discount Subscription is available at the cash desks of the ice rink and the swimming pools and is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
More information about ordering a Sports Benefit Subscription and an example calculation can be found on our Sports Benefit Subscription page.
Standing ready on the Waagplein, searching under swivel chairs and deciphering cryptic clues. To wrap up the summer holidays in a fun way, Alkmaar Sport hid from Monday 10th to Friday 14th...
During the summer holidays, Outdoorpark Alkmaar is opening its doors every single day for individuals and families. Whereas the park is normally only accessible for groups and reserved...
On Sunday 28 June 2026, Alkmaar Sport and swimming clubs OEZA and DAW are once again organising the Open Water Alkmaar. Following a successful first edition, the open water swimming event is returning to the…
On Wednesday 20 May, Alkmaar Sport and the municipality of Alkmaar opened the exhibition space about the new Hoornse Vaart swimming and sports complex. The space was festively opened in the presence of many loyal…
On Sunday 3 December, the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool is organising the fourth edition of the Technique Pit Stop from 09:00 to 12:00 during lane swimming in the 50-metre pool. Olympic top swimmer Bas van Velthoven from Personal Swimming will share his expertise and offer swimmers the opportunity to have their technique assessed and areas for improvement identified using video footage. To take part in the Technique Pit Stop, visitors only pay an admission ticket for the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool. It is not necessary to book in advance.
The Technique Pitlane, an innovative concept by Personal Swimming, offers swimmers the chance to improve their technique while lane swimming. During lane swimming, 1 lane is reserved as a pitlane. Swimmers can swim through this lane and at the end of the lane receive a number of focus and improvement points based on video footage. You can then apply these yourself before potentially swimming through the pitlane again later. This allows swimmers to quickly and efficiently receive tips that they can use to improve. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity to ask questions about various swimming techniques.
Marcel Ruitenberg, location manager of the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool, has noticed that an increasing number of people who exercise or work out for health reasons prefer to do so alone, which is reflected at the pool. In the magnificent 50-metre pool, visitors can work on their fitness 7 days a week thanks to generous opening hours and very friendly rates, which is unique for a swimming pool. As a result, the Hoornse Vaart pool attracts many swimmers from surrounding towns and villages. To encourage these swimmers, Ruitenberg got in touch with former Olympian Bas van Velthoven. In a special “Technique Pit Lane”, he provides tips & tricks to passing swimmers via video analysis as an extra service for their loyal visitors.
With ten years of experience as a trainer and coach at Personal Swimming, Bas van Velthoven has an impressive track record. He represented the Netherlands at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. At Personal Swimming, they train nearly 400 swimmers a week, ranging from beginners to professional triathletes and even people who dare to cross the IJsselmeer. Their coaches are experts in identifying areas for improvement in the technique of every swimming stroke, and progress can often be made with a few simple points of focus or short technique drills.
To take part in the Techniek Pitstraat, visitors only need to pay an admission ticket for Hoornse Vaart swimming pool. It is not necessary to book in advance.
Standing ready on the Waagplein, searching under swivel chairs and deciphering cryptic clues. To wrap up the summer holidays in a fun way, Alkmaar Sport hid from Monday 10th to Friday 14th...
Swimming pool Hoornse Vaart is closing the summer holidays with a cheerful treasure hunt in the city centre of Alkmaar. From Monday 10th to Friday 14th August, a striking envelope will be hidden every day….
On Sunday 24 September 2023, the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool will welcome sports enthusiasts from Alkmaar and the surrounding area for a special day full of free aquafitness activities. Between 10.00 and 12.10, we are offering a unique opportunity to take part in the Open Aquafitness Day and to get acquainted with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).
The Open Aquafitness Day at the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool is a great opportunity for participants of all ages and fitness levels to discover the benefits of exercising in the water. Our expert and qualified instructors will guide visitors through three exciting HIIT classes:
The Open Aquafitness Day offers participants the flexibility to take part in one or more 20-minute sessions, depending on their preference and energy level. Whether you are new to the world of aquafitness or an experienced practitioner, everyone is welcome to join in and enjoy this unique sports experience.
| Activity | Time | Location |
| FloatFit | 10.00 – 10.20 am | 50-metre pool |
| FloatFit | 10:20 – 10:40 | 50-metre pool |
| Aquajump | 10:50 – 11:10 am | 50-metre pool |
| Aquajump | 11.10 – 11.30 am | 50-metre pool |
| Aquakickboxing | 11:30 – 11:50 | 50-metre pool |
| Aquakickboxing | 11.50 – 12.10 | 50-metre pool |
Registration for the free Open Aquafitness Day is compulsory. Visitors can easily sign up via the buttons below. We look forward to welcoming you for a day full of exercise, fun and health on Sunday 24 September. Take part and discover the benefits of aquafitness in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere!
It is time to get your swimwear and dancing shoes out of the wardrobe, because on Saturday 23 September the new disco season starts at the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool in Alkmaar. It promises to be a splashing evening full of fun, music and good times. The theme of the first disco is ‘Underwater World’, taking visitors into an enchanting submarine atmosphere. It is also possible to celebrate a children's party during the disco.
Every month, the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool offers swimming enthusiasts the opportunity to hit the dance floor and enjoy a unique swimming experience. Children up to 13 years old can show off their moves every month on Saturday evenings during disco swimming. The pool environment is completely transformed according to the theme of the month, where imagination and festivity go hand in hand.
The highlight of the evening is the presence of live DJ Ischa, who will be spinning the best tunes and filling the dance floor with energetic music. The swimming pool will be illuminated with spectacular disco lighting, creating an enchanting atmosphere that gets everyone present in the party mood. The snack package, provided by the catering service, offers the perfect addition to the evening and lets participants enjoy delicious refreshments.
For the opening of the disco season, the central theme is ‘Underwater world’. From mermaids to tropical fish, visitors can look forward to a magical undersea world. But that is not all – throughout the season, even more themes will feature, such as Halloween, Glow in the dark, Pirates, Superheroes, Circus and Jungle.
The admission fee for disco swimming is €7.10 per child. One supervisor (18+) is free of charge for each child. Furthermore, there is the option to book a special snack package including admission to the disco. For those celebrating a birthday, special children's party packages are available, with the birthday child receiving free admission.
Don't miss this sensational event! The first disco with the theme ‘Underwater World’ will take place on Saturday 23 September. More information about disco swimming, admission prices, packages and reservations can be found via www.hoornsevaart.nl/discozwemmen.
Standing ready on the Waagplein, searching under swivel chairs and deciphering cryptic clues. To wrap up the summer holidays in a fun way, Alkmaar Sport hid from Monday 10th to Friday 14th...
During the summer holidays, Outdoorpark Alkmaar is opening its doors every single day for individuals and families. Whereas the park is normally only accessible for groups and reserved...
On Sunday 28 June 2026, Alkmaar Sport and swimming clubs OEZA and DAW are once again organising the Open Water Alkmaar. Following a successful first edition, the open water swimming event is returning to the…
On Wednesday 20 May, Alkmaar Sport and the municipality of Alkmaar opened the exhibition space about the new Hoornse Vaart swimming and sports complex. The space was festively opened in the presence of many loyal…
Have you ever heard of FloatFitWe at Womanly had never done it before, until we tried it out for ourselves at the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool in Alkmaar. And we have to say: it was a huge success and definitely left us wanting more. During this intensive body workout, you work on improving your fitness in the pool. And no request is too crazy! So don't be surprised if the instructor asks you to do jumping jacks on the AquaBase board. Because even that is possible on the water after a little practice.
Running, fitness and boxing are getting a bit predictable. We thought it would be fun to try a completely different sport for once. After searching around, we came across FloatFit. It is still a fairly new trend in the field of aqua fitness in the Netherlands. We took a gamble and Sports complex de Hoorsne Vaart in Alkmaar. The anticipation had already begun on dry land when I (editor-in-chief of Womanly) sent a few photos of this amazing sport to various female friends. ‘How funny” and ”hahahaha what on earth is that?” were some of the reactions.
Those were my thoughts initially too, as I had no idea what we could expect. When packing, I was still hesitating whether I would need a towel. Thank God my boyfriend ridiculed this hesitation, because one thing is certain: the wet pool will definitely greet you the first time. It is a matter of standing and sticking out. With a t-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and flip-flops, I entered the pool in my sportiest mood, which felt like a well-heated sauna. Fortunately, this feeling subsides once you are in the water.
FloatFit is a high-intensity interval training where you do exercises on an aquabase. This is a floating, air-filled mat in the water. You attach it at the front and back with rings to two ropes lying in the swimming pool. This makes the board completely sturdy to stand on. This brilliant Aquabase was designed by Aquaphysical. In the middle of the board there is a small symbol so that you know exactly where to stand for your balance.
This trend didn't blow over from faraway America, by the way, but comes from close to home in Great Britain. They have been doing this water sport there for a while now. In the Netherlands it is also called Aquafloat instead of FloatFit. Once the Aquabase is in the water, the trick is to climb onto it with your full weight. That is quite a job, but you will get better and better at it. We started off nice and actively with a full swimming pool and an enthusiastic instructor at the Hoornse Vaart in Alkmaar.
Squats, lunges and jumping jacks all feature during the sporty half-hour. ‘Only thirty minutes!’ I hear you think. That sounds short, but afterwards you are completely exhausted and would rather lie with your lazy arse in the nearest hot tub. Because intense it certainly is on the water. The trick is to keep your balance and that takes a bit of figuring out at first. We started with some cheerful music that indicated in the lyrics when you had to go down (squats) and up with your body. I managed that quite well in the water.
After a few exercises, you get better and better at keeping your balance. The part where everyone was ‘shaking’ back and forth was even less suited to me as a beginner. While everyone was cheerfully moving from one side to the other, I was splashing around in the water a bit less happily before climbing back onto the board. Still, I found it wasn't too bad for a first time. It was especially great fun in a pool like that with upbeat music and a good workout. You certainly notice that the next day in the muscle aches.
Can you swim? Then that is actually the answer to the above question. Anyone from young to old can take part. Although we did notice that there was mainly a lot of female beauty on the board. But male muscle-men can also have a great workout here. A major advantage of FloatFot is that there is no pressure on your joints and bones, which prevents troublesome complications.
Unlike ‘ordinary group fitness classes’, a FloatFit session lasts only half an hour. Yet, you still burn more than 300 calories with it. In addition, you also immediately improve your sense of balance. A win-win situation, therefore. By the way, since October you can also go to the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool for two brand new aquafitness classes: Water tanks en Aquajump.
Hoornse Vaart swimming pool is introducing two new aqua classes: Aquakickboxing and Aquajump! These dynamic classes are the latest trend in aquafitness for people who want to train vigorously and intensively. Aquakickboxing and Aquajump are on the weekly schedule at our pool in Alkmaar. The cost for a single class is €8.50.
Aquakickboxing: a class you won't want to miss! Training in the water makes exercises harder and more challenging. Due to the resistance of the water, the muscles are worked intensively and hundreds of calories are burned. Punching and kicking in the water improves balance and coordination whilst simultaneously working on strength and speed. Furthermore, training in the water is a safe way of exercising with a low risk of injury.
At Aquajump you do various exercises on a trampoline that stands on the bottom of the swimming pool. This full-body workout is intensive and challenging, but above all great fun! Under the guidance of our expert instructors you train all the muscles in your body. Anyone who can jump can take part in this class.
The cost for a single class is €8.50. More information about our aquasports can be found on www.hoornsevaart.nl/aquasporten. Don't wait any longer and come and join our new aqua classes!
The first editions of the front crawl course were a huge success and therefore sold out quickly. Under the guidance of professional swimming instructors, participants work on their basic techniques in the 50-metre pool for 8 weeks. This resulted in wonderful outcomes with participants making a significant improvement in their front crawl stroke. Participant Ferry van Wilgenburg shares his experiences of the Front Crawl course.
Ferry van Wilgenburg took part in the very first edition of the front crawl course and speaks enthusiastically about his experiences: ‘Due to a long-term heel injury, I stopped mountain biking and running. For a long time, I looked for a sport where I wouldn't suffer from my lingering injury. In the end, swimming turned out to be an excellent solution. When doing this, I don't feel the torment in my heel.’ Patrick Verduin, swimming instructor at the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool on behalf of Alkmaar Sport, corroborates Ferry's story: ’Because you are virtually weightless in the water, swimming is a sport in which your joints bear little strain. This ensures that you hardly ever get injured through swimming and can recover well from an injury.’
After swimming lengths in the 50-metre pool a few times, Van Wilgenburg signed up for the Front Crawl course: ‘30 years ago, I took part in various triathlons and had regular swimming training. Back then, I swam 3.8 kilometres in just over an hour. While swimming lengths, I noticed that my technique was no longer as good as it was 30 years ago and so I decided to brush up on my technique by taking the Front Crawl course.’ For eight weeks, Ferry was taught by various swimming instructors and he is full of praise for the course: ’I find it remarkable to notice how I have developed a better technique and more specific fitness in a relatively short space of time. In addition, the swimming instructors were very enthusiastic, I received a lot of useful tips and a good insight into my areas for improvement. I found the video recordings in lesson 6 very enlightening, because you can then see for yourself what you need to do better.’
Ferry van Wilgenburg concludes his story: ‘I recommend that everyone goes lane swimming more often and takes part in the Front Crawl course. The course is the perfect foundation and suitable for all levels. A well-executed front crawl stroke makes a huge difference to your swimming speed and saves a great deal of energy.’ In the future, van Wilgenburg plans to go lane swimming even more often in the 50-metre pool at the Hoornse Vaart swimming pool.
A new course starts every 8 weeks. During the course, participants will work on the basic techniques of front crawl under the guidance of professional instructors. The course takes place for 8 weeks on Wednesdays from 21:00 to 21:45. More information can be found at www.hoornsevaart.nl/borstcrawl.
Standing ready on the Waagplein, searching under swivel chairs and deciphering cryptic clues. To wrap up the summer holidays in a fun way, Alkmaar Sport hid from Monday 10th to Friday 14th...
Swimming pool Hoornse Vaart is closing the summer holidays with a cheerful treasure hunt in the city centre of Alkmaar. From Monday 10th to Friday 14th August, a striking envelope will be hidden every day….
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