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As some of you know we had Amsterdam Sail this year again. It's a 5 day maritime event held once every five years in Amsterdam in the Netherlands since 1975. Tall ships from all over the world visit the city to moor in its eastern harbour. The event was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. This year's motto was United by Waves.
Sail Amsterdam takes place literally in my backyard as I live near the eastern docks where the tall ships come in. I always visit Sail and take pics. The idea this year was to post a whole thread about it but on the last day of the event, on 24 August, whilst photographing tall ships early in the morning, before the masses came in, I fell with my bicycle and broke my kneecap. After that I was concentrating on learning how to move around with a fractured kneecap and crutches, and the pictures I took went to the bottom of my to-do list. And then I kinda forgot about them. Until now.
The year is almost closing and I decided I need to start the Sail Amsterdam thread after all. No matter that it's long overdue. As we say here: better late than never. So let's go.
The event took place from 20-24 August 2025, with the ships arriving on the 20th and leaving on the 24th. This particular Sail also celebrated it's 10th anniversary as well as the city's 750th anniversary as in 1275 someone wrote that "people live in the Amstel [river] near Amsterdam" (a document that still exists), although there was a settlement there already at least a century prior to that.
Back to Sail.
Here's a map of the area, with the ships coming in from the west:
I went the first day. The ships were expected early afternoon and I was there. I was shooting with the Canon R5 mark II and brought no less than four lenses, the RF 16mm, RF 50/1.8, the RF 100L and the RF 100-500L because I had no idea what would be good for the occasion. It did mean I had to switch lenses a lot. Early afternoon and light was bad. It was warm and sunny and shooting over a large body of water was not a good idea and yet that's what I had to do. Heat shimmer was terrible. White balance was off most of the time. In short, the photos from this first day are not the best but it's all I have so they'll have to do.
First I have to say what a glorious day it was. Sunny and mild, no coats needed (hence the heat shimmer). The docks were filled with happy people, a lot of families with children, often picnicking where they deemed it fit to do so. And everybody was kind and friendly; people at their best.
On my way over and before reaching the actual eastern docks I passed the Alvei. The Alvei is a schooner, a traditional sailing ship that "offers a practical learning experience and lifestyle on board."
The ferries were also dressed up and looked festive:
This is still on my way to go to a spot where I could see the tall ships come in, but flags everywhere and people starting to settle in for the spectacle. I wanted to move to the head of the dock. No idea what kind of boats these are. If they're local ones that were "parked" here to make room for the tall ships in the main harbour.
Of course every Amsterdammer with a boat was there too:
Rounded the head of the northern dock.
The people living there had the best seats of course:
A great view and enjoying the fun. Dresses in orange of course:
More to come tomorrow!
Sail Amsterdam takes place literally in my backyard as I live near the eastern docks where the tall ships come in. I always visit Sail and take pics. The idea this year was to post a whole thread about it but on the last day of the event, on 24 August, whilst photographing tall ships early in the morning, before the masses came in, I fell with my bicycle and broke my kneecap. After that I was concentrating on learning how to move around with a fractured kneecap and crutches, and the pictures I took went to the bottom of my to-do list. And then I kinda forgot about them. Until now.
The year is almost closing and I decided I need to start the Sail Amsterdam thread after all. No matter that it's long overdue. As we say here: better late than never. So let's go.
The event took place from 20-24 August 2025, with the ships arriving on the 20th and leaving on the 24th. This particular Sail also celebrated it's 10th anniversary as well as the city's 750th anniversary as in 1275 someone wrote that "people live in the Amstel [river] near Amsterdam" (a document that still exists), although there was a settlement there already at least a century prior to that.
Back to Sail.
Here's a map of the area, with the ships coming in from the west:
I went the first day. The ships were expected early afternoon and I was there. I was shooting with the Canon R5 mark II and brought no less than four lenses, the RF 16mm, RF 50/1.8, the RF 100L and the RF 100-500L because I had no idea what would be good for the occasion. It did mean I had to switch lenses a lot. Early afternoon and light was bad. It was warm and sunny and shooting over a large body of water was not a good idea and yet that's what I had to do. Heat shimmer was terrible. White balance was off most of the time. In short, the photos from this first day are not the best but it's all I have so they'll have to do.
First I have to say what a glorious day it was. Sunny and mild, no coats needed (hence the heat shimmer). The docks were filled with happy people, a lot of families with children, often picnicking where they deemed it fit to do so. And everybody was kind and friendly; people at their best.
On my way over and before reaching the actual eastern docks I passed the Alvei. The Alvei is a schooner, a traditional sailing ship that "offers a practical learning experience and lifestyle on board."
The ferries were also dressed up and looked festive:
This is still on my way to go to a spot where I could see the tall ships come in, but flags everywhere and people starting to settle in for the spectacle. I wanted to move to the head of the dock. No idea what kind of boats these are. If they're local ones that were "parked" here to make room for the tall ships in the main harbour.
Of course every Amsterdammer with a boat was there too:
Rounded the head of the northern dock.
The people living there had the best seats of course:
A great view and enjoying the fun. Dresses in orange of course:
More to come tomorrow!
