SUP clinic on the Botshol
3 h€ 45-85 Calm
A relaxed paddling clinic in a Natura 2000 nature reserve near Waverveen, with narrow waterways, reed beds, and attention for nesting birds.
The Botshol is a small, protected nature reserve between Waverveen, Vinkeveen and Abcoude, known for its clear peat water, reed beds and colonies of nesting birds. It is not an open lake for sporty drills, but a maze of small pools and ditches where SUP clinics always move at a calm pace. Some paths are only accessible during certain months, so a good school will discuss in advance what is and is not allowed.
The clinic starts with technique practice at a quiet spot on the edge, usually after a brief explanation of the area's rules of conduct. Along the way you learn to paddle low to avoid disturbing wildlife, and how to rotate your board quietly in a narrow channel. A grey heron or a pair of grebes is simply part of the experience. Afterwards there is often coffee or soup at a nearby café.
Checklist
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Geautoriseerde Botshol-aanbieder geboekt
Gebiedsregels gelezen
Stille kleding en dry bag
Verrekijker mee
Waterschoenen of oude sneakers
Telefoon op stille modus
Drinkfles en kleine snack
Book a SUP clinic with a school that is officially permitted to paddle on the Botshol, and read the area rules in advance.
Suggestion: Check breeding season closures (March-July)Wear quiet, breathable clothing, avoid brightly coloured plastic bags and leave the speaker at home.
Suggestion: Earth tones are less disturbing to water birdsAt a calm entry point, follow the explanation on techniques for narrow, shallow waterways.
Suggestion: Learn the stationary turn with a half sweepPaddle gently through the first channel, keep your distance from the reeds and pause if you spot a nest.
Suggestion: Move from your core, not from your armsHalfway through, take one full minute of silence, lay down your paddle and listen to the surroundings.
Wrap up at a café in Abcoude or Waverveen with soup or coffee and talk about what stood out.
Suggestion: Write down one observation you will still remember tomorrowRelated playbooks
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For anyone copying this
Do as we did
Suggestions
- Avoid the core area during breeding season and choose a route along the edges.
- A 8x32 pair of binoculars just fits inside a dry bag.
- Wear shoes that can get wet, the entry point is often muddy.
- Ask the guide which birds have been spotted this week, it saves a lot of searching.
- Set your phone to airplane mode for fewer notification sounds.
Variations
- - Doe een SUP-yoga sessie aan de luwe rand in plaats van een toer.
- - Boek een vroege ochtend-clinic voor het mooiste licht en de stilste vogels.
- - Vervang de clinic door een fluisterboottocht onder begeleiding als peddelen lastig is.
by PlayTryBe team