Skippers of Holland Sailin beeld

"Working a lot in the summer, having freedom in the winter—that suits me." For Jurgen, being a skipper is more than just sailing. It's about making people happy. It's about making your own choices—and bearing the consequences. It's about being outside, day after day. It's about finding your own way, in rhythm with nature. "From the moment you leave the harbor, you leave the shore behind and become a kind of micro-society on a boat. The shore and everything that comes with it no longer have an influence, and that gives a feeling of freedom and relaxation. I feel good being in contact with the air and water. I've noticed I'm more of an outdoorsman; I function better outside than in a building, like when I worked in schools."

"The Wadden Sea, with the dynamics of the tide and sailing outside the shipping channels." Jurgen feels at home on the Wadden Sea, but also in the quiet spots on the IJsselmeer—places outside the harbors where you can be alone, with less influence from the world on land.

Aboard the Rea-Klif

"We often hear that people feel at home on the Rea-Klif." The ship has a spacious deck with a nice cockpit, beautiful woodwork, and inside, a day room with various seating areas. This allows guests to do their own thing at their own table, whether it's cooking, reading, listening to music, or just relaxing. "What I hear about myself is that I'm calm, that I can explain things well, that I can become part of the group and have a good time with them. I often play music for them, like a kind of DJ, which sometimes gets guests dancing on the deck." That connection—that spark—is what Jurgen loves most about hosting guests. "With returning guests, it's about recognition, being part of each other's lives, and with new guests, it's about getting them excited and sharing my passion."

"A German guest once told me that our trip was in his top 10 most beautiful moments in life." This was during Jurgen's time as a relief skipper on the Pelikaan. A meal of endive mash with meatballs and streaky bacon, an unexpected dance party, and a group of retired men who became young guys again.

"Kars was my sailor at the time. We had a group of retired German men on board. We clicked, and one evening I conspired with one of the men for the group to go to a pub so I could cook for them. Together with Kars, I made endive mash with meatballs and streaky bacon. They were pleasantly surprised, and after dinner, I played some music and they were dancing like young men, using the sheet as a kind of dance pole. We went to see a band in Medemblik on the last night with the same group, and they were dancing again.

And the second story was on my own ship during the Corona period. A family from Germany came on board with their children and grandchildren. We went drying out under Vlieland; it was very quiet on the Wadden Sea and a magical evening. They felt enchanted, having never experienced anything like it before. Now they come back every two years to relive that feeling of magic. They are grateful and happy every time. The photo here was taken during that first trip."

"I hope they take the feeling of relaxation with them back to shore. The simple, ordinary life with the questions 'what's for dinner tonight?' and 'where are we going?'" Peace. Relaxation. New knowledge. And memories they'll never forget. That's what Jurgen hopes people take with them when they step back on land.

Discover it for yourself—and meet Jurgen and his Rea-Klif!