2003 Fith anniversary of the rowing club in Alphen aan de Rijn
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The fifth lustrum !
It has already been mentioned by Arend de Hoog in his chairmanship: organizing a lustrum is a tremendous effort for the organizers, but gives a great kick !
This also applied to the 5th lustrum of the association.
Although the economic signs were not so favorable ( it would be difficult to get subsidies in a time of economic downturn ), we were not allowed to complain.
Thanks to intensive recruitment and a dose of creativity, for example when arranging contributions "in kind", it was realized that the sponsor contribution was about the same size as the lustrum reservation saved by the association !
The lustrum event started on Saturday 17 May for a few very early : the fence at the canoe club had to open at 6 o'clock to let a lorry pass with the party tent ( which had to be built by the landlord ).
Meanwhile, a few other enthusiasts were making sandwiches for lunch ( sandwiches with sausage and soup ! ).
While at 9 o'clock the RVA-ers started to come in to prepare for the biggest sailing trip ( in terms of sailing equipment ), which the association knew in its existence almost all boats were on the water, including the freshly restored " Nassovia ", who was sailed by some prominent members of the" Monday morning team ", were also deployed on the other side of Alphen :
From the Weteringhaven a real viking ship sailed towards Avifauna.
This ship was the previous day by trailer from Zuid-Scharwoude and launched in the Rijnhaven.
At the mooring place of the neighbors of Avifauna ( the Scherpenzeel family ) the ship was rigged and Friday evening trial hazards by 7 RVA-ers.
A special experience, sailing with such a ship.
Unbelievable that with this kind of boats ( this one was a 1 on 2 scale model, but still !) huge distances were bridged over world seas and rivers !
Rowing in such a versatile nutshell is a very special experience, half of the crew missed a leash ( the skullers ), while the oarsers had to get used to the completely different battle (a kind of rowing ! ).
The boat can round, while with all 6 belts rowing (and the boat stays in its place ! ), sailing with sail goes at a wind angle of 15 ° !
At about 10 o'clock the first arriving rowing boats already reported at Avifauna, where the former "Hollandia field" was equipped with an improvised jetty.
The firstlings were not those who had come through the Aarkanaal and Oude Rijn, but were skiffeurs who had sailed the other way via the Braassem !
Gradually the fleet flew at Avifauna: an eight, match, C-four, C-2's, skiffs, double-skiffs, youth skiffs, werries and even the mesh.
Most boats were put upside down on the Hollandia field : a beautiful sight !
Then coffee / tea / soda with birthday cake at Avifauna.
The entire Ara-hall was full of RVA-members in red sweater, very impressive, just a big family, with members of primary school age until almost elderly !
It did not spoil the fun that a bunch of vikings disrupted the party by kidnapping a lustrum committee member and threatening the chairman with death with a dangerous sword and a kind of "goedendag".
After emotional negotiations, a comparison was made and the chairman made a rowing team available to the viking rapaille, allowing the president to complete his term and continue the festivity without bloodshed.
After a tugboat with mop and a State Police boat arrived, the boats were searched again and the fleet was launched.
There were so many boats that the formation of a fleet took about half an hour.
Then, with the P-38, from the State Police in water, there could be dangers, towards bridges, which had to be opened for the flagship, "De Orm".
This was professionally arranged via the radio of the police !
The trip through Alphen was a beautiful spectacle.
It was certainly not a tightly organized fleet inspection: more of a sort of "Night Watch", which slowly sailed towards Aarkanaal.
However, the trip attracted ample public interest.
At the Rhine bridge ( the only fixed bridge in the route ), the "Orm" had to lower the mast to pass under the bridge and the fleet review was dissolved.
Here the rowers were finally "on the legs" and the tour was more like a boat race to where soup with sandwiches was ready.
The Orm then sailed to the jetty.
In the middle of the afternoon invited guests, patrons and former members came to the party tent.
Before recommissioning, however, there was still a highlight on the program:
a rowing competition between teams from B & W in Alphen and Ter Aar.
This game was sailed in werries.
The Alphense Werrie was rowed by the aldermen Klaas Tigelaar and Hub van Wersch, with Cees Korstanje at the helm, while the Ter Aarse werrie was rowed by mayor Arie Epskamp and our RVA rower and alderman Nico Jonker, while Riemer Runia sent this boat.
Under loud encouragement from the public, including the Nico Schoof Alphabet Father, Cees de Hey was rowing 250 meters.
After an exciting fight, the team from Ter Aar came to the raft as winner and got the trophy ( a rowing tank with plaque ) to the Ter Aar town hall.
Then there could be uncorked and was already taken an advance on the big party which was planned for the evening.
The party in the big tent began in the evening at half past eight in style with champagne.
The band started playing at nine o'clock, the tap was open and most party-goers also mentioned this time: there could be celebrated !
That was there too ! There was rumble, dancing, drinking and it was fun.
The band had something to taste for everyone, so that the young and the elderly could enjoy themselves at the same party.
Arend and our viking, Henri Houben, once again crossed each other's waters, but this time with a Norwegian horn with beer ( crazy people that Skandinavians ! ).
After the crowd had celebrated, the building was guarded by Cees and Edo, while Henri slept on his boat.
Waking up early on Sunday morning by the Fa's tent clean-up crew.
Kuijf is a bit different than normal !
The breakfast, provided by Marjo, tastes great !
Anyway, after putting back the plants at the place where the tent stood, helping to load the Orm, cleaning up glasses, party items and putting back the chairs, what can happen on Sundays usually happens at the club ? : rowing !
Written by: Cees Korstanje
