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Fierljeppen Over Dutch Ditches

Published by Marjorie Jane M. Asis

Country: Netherlands

The Experience

To watch the strangely spectacular sport of Fierljeppen is simultaneously nerve-wracking and entertaining. This isn't your average Netherlands travel activity. The sport of Fierljeppen utilizes a long pole sturdy enough to vault a grown man's weight over a narrow ditch filled with water. Participants run as fast as they can just before sticking the rod into the bottom of the ditch to support their jump across to the other side. There is an art to a Fierljeppen jumping, beyond the running, leaping and grasping, the jumper then needs to climb to the peak of the pole while attempting to control its lateral and forward motions over the water. If they succeed, a soft and sandy landing pad, and if they fail, a fall into a cold and muddy ditch awaits.

The annual Fierljeppen tradition actually originated from the first Dutch and Frisian farmers of the Netherlands. Given the fact that the region is always plagued with floods, the villagers themselves engineered their lands to ensure that their crops would not be damaged, and Fierljeppen was born.

The existing overall record holder for Fierljeppen is Bart Helmholt from Hardegarijp. He leapt an amazing range of 21.26 meters in 2010. The junior record is 20.42 meters.

It is easy to recognize when there is Fierljeppen going on. You will recognize it when you see a man holding a metal or wooden rod, surrounded by a nearby crowd cheering. It is no longer rare for tourists to see locals doing Fierljeppen as kids around the area from Amsterdam down to the last region of the country are doing this for fun. And yes, their parents join in too.

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Puzzle

When to Go to Fierljeppen

Fierljeppen takes place year round in the Netherlands, except for winter season when the ditches (and everything else) freezes. The best time to travel to The Netherlands and watch Fierljeppen is during summer, beginning June or July until mid August.

Odds n' Ends

There are historical buildings and improvised houses being used as lodges or small hotels to accommodate travellers, especially during the high travel season in the summertime. Nevertheless, Netherlands hotels are never impossible to find. European lodges and inns are extremely traditional compared to the known hotel chains, and the food can even be personalized to your taste. There are unlimited options of menu, and they all mostly prove to be budget-friendly.

The Netherlands hotels usually charge between €20 to €30 for one person per night. The stay normally includes hot buffet breakfast—mainly bread, sausages, small steak portion, poultry selections, yogurt and sweet delicatessen for desserts—but there are a few small city hotels that apply a double occupancy rule. The rate normally goes up during summer season.

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Books and DVDs

Lonely Planet The Netherlands Country Travel Guide
Weird Sports
Dutch: Lonely Planet Phrasebook

Elsewhere on the Web

Polsstokbond - PBHolland.com

Language Guides

Indonesian , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in Netherlands. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

Discussion

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