Anyone who has followed us on social media has already seen that we had a fantastic weekend at RCN de Schotsman. De Schotsman is really a camping and bungalow park for water sports enthusiasts, there is no arguing about that. I would be happy to tell you more about how our weekend was and how as a beginner you can 'taste' all that water happening.
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It is a 1.5 hour drive for us to Kamperland in Zeeland. Unfortunately we are unlucky that we can only get into the car on Friday early in the afternoon and that we have quite a bit of traffic jam. So it takes us much longer. But the sentence is right in it, so no problem. After all, we haven't been away this holiday yet and have only been working and doing odd jobs after the move. A welcome change, a weekend at the water at RCN de Schotsman.
We find it enjoyable in Zeeland. A few years ago we were in Domburg, that was so nice. We all love the beach and the sea. And from Zeeland boluses. Well, that last one is what I especially like. RCN de Schotsman is not located directly on the sea, but on the Veerse Meer. We drive the last part to the campsite along the Veerse Meer, with a beautiful view of the picturesque Veere.
After checking in, the kids race to our bungalow. We stay in a fairly new, modern furnished and wonderfully spacious 8-person bungalow. The furnishing is modern And even though there are 4 bedrooms, even now the children manage to make up a battle over the place to sleep. Because who has a bathroom for themselves and who has to 'share' the bathroom with mom and dad? Bizarre right? In the end, the decision was made and peace returned to the Van de Pas house 😉 .
After we have put the clothes in the spacious wardrobes, we explore the campsite and in the evening we have a snack in restaurant De Schotsman on the campsite. We have to wait a bit long for our food because of the crowds, but we were already told that in advance when making the reservation. So no problem. By the way, the food was worth the wait, because what an excellent kitchen the Scotsman has. On the menu you will find more than enough choice in meat and fish, but also tasty vegetarian dishes. And affordable.
Before you think that RCN de Schotsman mainly consists of bungalows, I also want to show you that there is also more than enough space for camping. Do you prefer to go with the tent or the camper? Then this place in Kamperland is also suitable.
I was also very charmed by all the campers that camp right along the waterfront. Wonderfully free, with a view of the Veerse Meer and they all slide their surfboards into the water!
We have quite a few activities planned for this weekend. Sailing on Saturday and supping and water skiing on Sunday. Due to the downpours and thunderstorms on Saturday morning (oh...how nice is a bungalow after all), luckily we can reschedule the sailing to Monday. With a thunderstorm on the water is of course not such a very strict plan. Fortunately, after Saturday morning, the weather will clear up and we can enjoy the rest of the weekend outside.
Lotte has been worrying about water skiing for several days now. She really wants to, but also finds it very exciting. But there are four of us going and that makes up for a lot with our teenager. Arriving at the water ski center (5 minutes walk from our bungalow) we first get to see a movie about the water ski course, how it works and the rules. Lotte is the smallest of the group and is briefly asked if she can swim from the last pole to the side. I estimate that she will succeed and she can participate.
Then it's time to put on the wetsuits and a life jacket. Tension rises with Luc and with Lotte, especially when I indicate that I am dropping out. The reason for my dropping out is not the tension, but my knee. I'm glad that I can just squat down at the moment, but to get up from that position independently without pulling on anything… that hasn't been possible since my knee accident. I just hadn't realized. But of course it gives me the opportunity to take nice pictures!
Anyway, in the suits, my 3 darlings take turns going into the water on their skis. And to my great surprise, they ski away immediately! Until the first bend, they don't get much further 😉 . Not even after trying several times. But they are getting more and more enthusiastic and I like that again. How they experience such a new sport full of excitement as a beginner and go from 'Mwah, it doesn't seem like much' (adolescent) to 'Maaaam, I'm going again'.
The supping is a bit more relaxed. Without being taught, we can go on the water with the sups. And this time I can come along myself, nice! Again we put on a wetsuit. For a moment I realize that just in a bikini might also be nice, but afterwards I am happy with my wetsuit.
I have stood on such a board once in my life and it went really well. That is why I am leaving full of enthusiasm. And immediately go back into the water and go under. huh? Good for my kids' smiles, and mine too! With the advice to first sit on my knees on this plank and then carefully stand up, I try again. These planks are a bit more unstable than the ones I was used to, but this time I got up without falling.
I immediately got the hang of it and paddle around a bit. I like this! Exercising on the water with good weather. A sun on my face, nice sea air and having fun with the children, that's how I can enjoy a water sports holiday.
There is quite a bit of wind on the Veerse Meer, so we soon drive past the Schotsman RCN without doing anything. That's nice of course, but I still command the kids to turn around, against the wind. That turns out to be a lot more difficult, haha. Luc cannot turn around and Lotte cannot move forward with her paddle. I get it, her paddle is the same size as ours and so is her board. Finally she gives up, jumps into the water and swims the sup back to the side. Tired but satisfied we hang out on the sup for a while before we go back to our bungalow. Time for a nice shower.
If you let smaller children paddle, at least make sure you stick with it yourself. There is not much current on the Veerse Meer, but the wind can drive you quite far away. Super cool of course, but keep that in mind.
In addition to all other water sports, you can also take sailing lessons on the RCN de Schotsman site. And we were allowed to taste it on Monday. With a lovely weather and a fine wind we go to Sail College.
Blue as I am I think we should each get into such a small sailboat separately and I secretly squeeze it a little. And not only me I notice. Luc and Lotte are looking forward to it, but are also a bit quiet. The moment we hear at the Sail College desk that the four of us are having sailing lessons, Lotte lets out a deep sigh. Away from tension, she doesn't have to be alone, she is allowed in a boat with us.
We are introduced to instructor Ilse and confidently step into the sailboat. After quite a few terms and explanation about which lines are for what (careful:don't say ropes!), we can make the sail smaller. It is quite windy, which is why we will sail with a smaller sail. And before I know it I'm at the helm of the sailboat and we're skimming over the water. Oh my, that's going hard! And what an angle that boat can hang! I still find it exciting, especially because the Veerse Meer is used extensively by water sports enthusiasts. There are many sailing boats, but also yachts and a lot of surfers on their feet with this wind.
Fortunately, Ilse remains very calm, which gives me more confidence in my own abilities. The most exciting of all is of course tacking, but we are well guided in that too. After sailing up and down the Veerse Meer a number of times, towards Veere and back to RCN de Schotsman, Frank and Luc also sit behind the helm for a while. I dive on my bottom next to Lotte in the boat and take the time to relax and look around me. Pfff… I shouldn't have thought of doing this alone, haha. But if you stay here for a week, your children can learn to sail alone in such an Optimist in 5 half days, which is great!
There is plenty to do nearby. As a true water sports enthusiast you are probably a lot at RCN de Schotsman itself, and with all the water sports facilities, the outdoor pool and the playgrounds you can get through your holiday here. If you would also like to see more of the area, there is still plenty to do.
We went to Vlissingen for an afternoon, just a little shopping. You will also find a Pirate Park and a North Sea aquarium here that you can visit.
After that we had a delicious meal in Dishoek with an uncle and aunt of Frank and of course we took a walk on the beach. On Sunday we had dinner with friends who were in Domburg in beach pavilion de Banjaard and the kids enjoyed themselves on the Banjaard beach. We did not find the food at this beach pavilion really special. But maybe you just made a wrong choice of card, that's possible of course. The beach here is beautiful and clean.
Neeltje Jans is close to RCN de Schotsman and is also great fun to visit with your children. Furthermore, you can of course enjoy cycling in this area (also happens a lot) and there is a very nice climbing forest in Westenschouwen.
Would you like to know more about what there is to do in the Kamperland area? You will find many more tips on the website of the campsite.
Finally, I would like to tell you something about the way in which RCN does business. The profit distribution from RCN is used to also grant a holiday to the less fortunate. People who cannot afford it themselves or who are actually unable to go on frequent trips due to physical circumstances. Under the motto 'You a smile, she a smile', RCN participates in numerous social projects. This applies not only to RCN de Schotsman, but to all RCN parks. For example, they give 100 free holidays each year to welfare families. That makes you happy!
