Discovering Unique Dutch Sports not featured at the Paris Olympics

When you think of the Netherlands and Summer sports, you might picture football, cycling and sailing. But did you know the Dutch have their own unique sports which you won’t find at the Paris Olympics this year? Let’s dive into two fascinating and lesser-known Dutch sports called ‘korfbal’ and ‘fierljeppen’.

Korfbal: The Mixed-Gender Team Sport

Korfbal is a sport that combines elements of basketball and netball but has its own distinct flavor. This new sport was introduced in the early 20th century by a Dutch schoolteacher from Amsterdam, Nico Broekhuysen. Korfbal is unique as it promotes teamwork and gender equality. Approximately 100.000 Dutch men and women play this sport every week, spread over 500 korfbalclubs in the Netherlands.

How It Works:

• Teams: Each team consists of four men and four women.
• Objective: The aim is to throw a ball through a hoop (called a ‘korf’) that stands on a pole about 3.5 meters high.
• Gameplay: The court is divided into two zones: attack and defense. Players switch zones after every two goals, ensuring everyone participates in both offensive and defensive roles.

What makes korfbal special is its emphasis on cooperation between male and female players, making it a true mixed-gender sport.

Fierljeppen: The Art of Pole Vaulting over Water

Fierljeppen, translating to ‘far-leaping’ in Frisian and is called ‘polstokverspringen’ in Dutch. It is an adventurous sport with roots going back to the 18th century. It originated as a practical way for farmers to cross small ditches of 1-2 meters wide using easy to carry, short poles. Fierljeppen has evaluated to a spectacular national sport of crossing waters of up to even 22 meters wide (see picture).

Every year there is a match between Friesland and the rest of the Netherlands. These national championships are played each year in August. It’s not a hugely popular sport, but extremely fun to watch (check out YouTube!) as a jump failure is almost always resulting in a wet suit.

How It Works:

• Equipment: A long pole, typically between 8 to 13 meters in length.
• Objective: Participants run towards the pole, leap onto it, climb as high as possible, and then try to propel themselves as far as they can over a body of water before landing on the opposite bank.
• Scoring: The distance covered from the starting point to the landing spot is measured to determine the winner.

Fierljeppen requires a blend of speed, strength, and technique. Watching athletes soar through the air with a pole can be quite thrilling!

Why These Sports Matter

Both korfbal and fierljeppen showcase Dutch creativity and their connection to the landscape and culture. Korfbal, with its focus on gender equality and team dynamics, highlights progressive social values, while fierljeppen is a nod to the Dutch mastery over water and their adventurous spirit.

So, next time you think of Dutch culture, remember it’s not just about clogs and cheese. The Netherlands also boasts unique sports that reflect their innovative and inclusive spirit. Our Flowently private tutors would love to take you out and watch these Dutch sports together and this way get deeper involved in our culture.