Royal Maas Yacht Club

Yachting and rowing

The club’s primary activities are yachting and rowing, including sailing and rowing.

Royal Maas is described as a yacht club with sailing and rowing.

History

Founded in 1851, the royal predicate was bestowed in 1901.

Women were allowed to become members in 1931.

The clubhouse—designed by Barend Hooijkaas jr. and Michiel Brinkman—was opened in April 1909 and survived the 1940 bombardment of Rotterdam (source).

Clubhouse and building

The clubhouse is an elegant Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) building opened in April 1909.

It was designed by architects Barend Hooijkaas jr. and Michiel Brinkman, and it survived the 1940 bombardment of Rotterdam (source).

The clubhouse is described as an important example of modern architectural art in the Netherlands (source).

Accommodation and locations

Accommodation is provided via the historic clubhouse at Sociëteit at Veerdam 1, described as including a restaurant/bar, event rooms, and regular opening hours (source).

Separate operational locations are used for on-water activities: Kralingse Plas for sailing, Rotte boathouse(s) and the Plantage river location for rowing, and a Zierikzee marina for keelboats.

Boatyard facilities

Belsituated at the location on Prinsemolenpad is the botenloods (boathouse), where maintenance and repairs are carried out for the rowing fleet.

The Bootsman works in the boathouse for daily maintenance and repairs.

On the Oude Plantagepad, the boathouse also houses the boats used to row on flowing water, and maintenance and repair of the equipment is carried out by knowledgeable and involved volunteers (source).

Moorings and anchorage

Members can use a limited number of berths on the Kralingse Plas for open boats and in Zierikzee for keel yachts.

For recommended use, members are asked to report to the harbour master to discuss a boat (source).

Sailing training and instruction

The club offers sailing lessons and training on and around the Kralingse Plas.

Youth lessons run from mid-March to mid-October (from age 7), and adult lessons run from May to September.

Training is supported by internally trained (volunteer) sailing instructors, a permanent sailing coach, and a harbour master.

For advanced participants, training is also provided in Zeeland or on the IJsselmeer.

The association supports both recreational and competitive sailing, with opportunities to participate in regional, national, and international competitions and to progress toward top-level sport (including the Olympic Games and the Ocean Race) (source).

Winter rowing competition (RRC)

The Rotte Roei Competitie (RRC) is a winter time-trial series of approximately 5 km on the Rotte, with around 6 races per season (depending on conditions) (source).

Racing uses a flying start in kielline rowing; corrected times are calculated using correction factors for boat type, sex, and age, and each participant receives classement points.

The winner receives the Jan Katgerman Trofee.

For the final ranking, the best 4 results count; if fewer races are held, adjusted counting rules apply.

Race days are generally the last Saturday of the month from October through March, unless vacation or calendar conflicts require adjustments.

Cruising and youth sailing camps

The club organizes trips for members each year, sometimes within the Netherlands, but also to the French or Danish coast and to England; members can register for these trips.

There are summer sailing camps for youth, and for advanced groups there are also trips to Zeeland or the IJsselmeer (source).

Society evening

The Sociëteitsavond takes place every 4th Wednesday of the month at the Veerhaven.

It is intended for members to meet, be inspired, and eat and drink together, with a day meal for €13.50, an “aanschuiftafel” for those coming alone, and invited guests being welcomed.

The schedule and format are described by the club on their page.

Dress code during opening hours

During regular opening hours (Monday to Friday) at the Sociëteit, the dress code is Tenue de Ville.

A tie is not required but is appreciated; neat attire is expected.

No sneakers, slippers, sportswear, or t-shirts are allowed.

Members should inform their introduced guests about the dress code in advance (source).

Seasonal operation for sailing lessons

Youth sailing lessons run from mid-March to mid-October.

Adult sailing lessons run from May to September (source).