ROETS DUTCH COURAGE
It all began
in the spring of 1985 with a group of twelve boys from the Electrical Technical
School (E.T.S.). The gymnastics instructor at the school persuaded
the boys that it would be fun to row a race from Hurlingen on the mainland
to the island of Terschelling - a distance of 24 miles! The boat
was very large, an ex-army sloop, heavy but seaworthy, rowing it tested
their character as much as their stamina. It was a real achievement
to cross the finish line. They did not realise then that it was the start
of a passion for rowing - the E.T.S. Club was born.
In 1988 the club purchased a new sloop ‘Trochdriuwer’ , the name translates approximately as Go-Getter. It was well chosen as E.T.S. maintained their position at the top of Dutch racing year after year. Unfortunately for the boys, whilst ‘Trochdriuwer’ raced on, they were obliged to leave the club when they finished their education.
A group of 24 year old rowers decided to stay together and formed a new club R.O.E.T.S. (Rowers Old Electrical Technical School). In the winter of 1991 they built a beautiful wooden sloop the ’Beloega’. The club enjoyed many successes, but were becoming increasingly disillusioned with the way sloop racing was organised. They tired of the endless discussions about handicaps which resulted from rowing races with lots of different boats.
The team coach had started to train club members in a Gig and in 1995 a team made a trip to Cornwall. They took back happy memories of Gig racing, the friendly people of Cornwall and the beautiful Isles of Scilly. Most importantly, they spoke of the great atmosphere that comes from racing well matched crafts.
It was the solution to their problems. A brave decision was made - sell the ‘Beloega’, and commission a new Gig to be built in Cornwall by Andrew Nancarrow. ‘Goldrush’ was officially launched at the World Championships in 1996. That first year the club managed 36th place rowing in D class, by 1997 they were in B class and placed 20th in a very strong field.
R.O.E.T.S. is a small club, just 10 active rowers and a cox. Few of the members come from E.T.S. but all share a love of rowing. They train twice a week, making a 2 hour round trip to reach salt water which is better for the Gig than the freshwater canals closer to home. In Holland rowing is a national pastime, but Gigs are virtually unknown. Undaunted, club member Camiel Schlatter commented:-
“We have patience and trust more Gigs will come to Holland. There is one race called the Muiden-Pampus-Muiden which takes place at the beginning of November, the end of our rowing season. Last year there were a few Gigs from Cornwall. They liked it a lot and we hope more will come this year. For us it is a chance to show Holland what Gig racing means, and what they are all missing.”
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