Wijk aan Zee: "Peter Volwater Wave Classic" - the organisers on Holland's new wave contest

The windsurfing scene in the Netherlands is very lively, but apart from "De Slag om Domburg", there are only a few competitions, especially on the open sea. A group of locals from Wijk aan Zee want to change that. They have launched the "Peter Volwater Wave Classic" to commemorate the world cupper who died in 2015. The stand-by period starts in September and the event takes place on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, with the final "GO" for the maximum 48 starters being given at least 48 hours in advance. Gijs Jansen and Bas Molenkamp on the idea and the team behind the new format.

How did the idea for this competition come about?

Gijs: I've had the idea in my head for a while. Very little has been organised in the Netherlands for years, so I thought we should do it ourselves. We have a wonderful sport and it deserves a platform. Last year, after 'De Slag Om Domburg', I presented the idea to some windsurfing colleagues in Wijk and that's how it got going.

This event bears the name of Peter Volwater. What is the story behind it?

Gijs: The idea of naming the event after Peter Volwater came from Patrick Smits. Wijk aan Zee was his home town, where Peter laid the foundations for his career. Many of the locals and regulars in Wijk are contemporaries of Peter and experienced great adventures with him. So it made sense to name our event after him.

Bas: We all looked up to Peter. He had turned his - and our - passion into a profession, had endless energy and always went full steam ahead with a big smile on his face. It's great that the path through the dunes that we take at every session bears his name and that we can name our contest after him.

We all looked up to Peter. He had endless energy and always went full steam ahead with a big smile on his face."

Why is Wijk aan Zee the best spot for this contest?

Gijs: The first time I windsurfed in Wijk, I was out there with Peter, I think I was 16 years old at the time. The road along the dunes and the blast furnaces was really surreal. I had never seen such beautiful waves in the Netherlands. An unforgettable impression. Apart from this "marvellous" background, I think Wijk is one of the few spots in the Netherlands where the conditions are almost always good. And there is a warm and fanatical local scene that turns every windsurfing day into a party.

Bas: It also helps that Wijk is very central, windsurfers come here from all regions. The group from Friesland all come to Wijk when it's not right for them, and the same goes for the guys from the south when the wind is too southerly there. In Wijk we are one, then all the dialects fly around your ears!

Peter was an icon. How will his style and personality be reflected in the set-up and atmosphere of this event?

Gijs: I hope that all participants will step on the gas a little more than they are used to during the event. In the spirit of Peter: go hard with a big smile. And encourage everyone, regardless of their level!

Bas: Peter did that too. I went out once in Ho'okipa, which I found terrifying with the waves near the rocks. Peter was there too and took the time to give me tips. While the aerials were flying around my ears, I finally managed to hit a wave just right. Back on the beach, Peter greeted me as if I had just won the Aloha Classic. He always motivated you to work even harder.

Who is at the wheel at this event?

Bas: (laughs) A group of enthusiastic guys.

Gijs: None of us have any experience in organising a windsurfing event. But we are enthusiastic and have done enough competitions to know what is important and how we want it organised.

Bas: We complement each other well as a group. We have several entrepreneurs, people who work in the film and media industry or work for the state and have good contacts in the community. There are also many windsurfers who are happy to help and think along with us. We take the matter very seriously. A foundation has even been set up.

What is the format of the competition?

Gijs: The idea is to have a single elimination with an intermediate round for the losers of the first heat (repechage round). We will put together a jury of (former) top windsurfers so that everyone is judged as well and fairly as possible. The event will easily last six to eight hours and take place in one day. As well as the winners, there will be lots of non-cash prizes and, if the day allows, we will finish with a mass start fun race or something similar. And don't forget a beer afterwards!

Bas: Organising a whole event like this in one day is pretty tough. Fortunately, the guys from De Slag Om Domburg willing to help us with this. This shows that windsurfers really are a close-knit group.

Is this an event for die-hard pros who jump double loops, or is the threshold lower?

Gijs: Everyone is welcome. Of course we hope that the top Dutch riders will come, but the main thing is that all participants give their best - and preferably a little bit more. And that the top four deliver a brilliant final show at the end!

Bas: We also hope that everyone will stay for a long time. We are in talks with the new owner of the beach bar "Aloha" to have a good meeting place during the day.

What forecast gives the green light?

Bas: We get nervous when the 'sewer rat' is at the door (Editor's note: Local expression for wind that blows right through the English Channel and produces good waves for the spot). The event takes place in winds from 25 knots from the south-west. Waves are always there, that's the beauty of Wijk.

You just mentioned De Slag Om Domburg; how do you make sure you don't get in each other's way?

Gijs: They are like our role models and help us a lot. The idea is not to get in each other's way, but to complement each other. For the best conditions in Domburg, you need a different wind direction, so of course that should work out.

Bas: We will never get in their way. And if the weather gods want both spots to be good, then Slag takes priority.

Gijs: Wouldn't it be crazy if both events took place in 2026! One more and we'll have a Dutch Wave Tour!

What would you like the participants to tell each other about the day over a beer (or a hot chocolate) in the evening?

Gijs: I hope that we will share our enthusiasm for the sport. That this one jump, this one wave or this one fall will be recounted and remembered. And that new goals and 'revenge' agreements are made for the next edition!

Bas: That it's so nice what we have together as windsurfers and that it's good that we keep pushing each other to get the best out of ourselves.

Last question: I heard you haven't decided on a logo yet?

Gijs: Haha, that's right. We experimented a bit with AI and a lot of ideas came up, but the perfect logo wasn't there yet. At the moment we're using the "Plankzeilertje" logo with H-24, but we're still looking for a graphic talent who can do it really well. So if anyone sees this as a nice challenge: get in touch!

Information and registration at petervolwaterwaveclassic.nl or via Instagram @petervolwaterwaveclassic