On Saturday, August 29, 2026, Gouda will be all about water during the Longest Saturday Water Day. That day, there will be various activities on and around the water for water sports enthusiasts and recreational users. From paddling on the Reeuwijkse Plassen early in the morning to free boating between Gouda and Reeuwijk and a charming sloop cruise in the evening: everyone can get out on the water.
SUP Workshop “
” The day begins with paddling activities starting from Gouda and Reeuwijk. At 9:30 a.m., a SUP workshop begins at the Reeuwijks Verlaat lock on the Gouda side. For participants, JabaSUP fromGouda and Sup en Watershop will make SUP boards and canoes available extra early between 8:00 and 8:45 a.m. You can also choose to participate only in the introductory SUP workshop. This workshop will be led by Sem van den Berg at the lock.
Passage Day: Unlimited boating between Gouda and Reeuwijk
From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during Passage Day, flat-bottomed boats, sloops, and other recreational vessels can travel back and forth between Gouda and the Reeuwijkse Plassen as often as they like. During these hours, the bridges and locks will be operated specifically for the event.
The Kleiweg Bridge opens a maximum of twice per hour, on the hour and half-hour. The Graaf Floris Bridge opens a maximum of twice per hour, at a quarter past and a quarter to the hour.
The last trip from the Reeuwijks Verlaat toward Gouda departs at 5:30 p.m. The last trip from the Kleiweg Bridge toward Reeuwijk is at 6:15 p.m., unless participants join the Evening Boat Tour.
Outside the times of the Doorvaardag, the bridges and locks are operated according to the normal schedule of the municipality of Gouda. Please take the last lock passages into account.
Evening Sloop Tour
The day concludes with the Evening Sloop Tour. Starting at 5:30 p.m., dozens of small boats will set off from the Reeuwijks Verlaat in an atmospheric procession through Gouda’s canals and the lake district. The return trip begins at 8:30 p.m. from the Kleiweg Bridge.
Those who wish to sail or paddle on their own are also welcome. The Gouda Lock Keepers’ Guild will also be on hand all day with a camper van at the lock island of the Reeuwijks Verlaat.
The Longest Saturday Water Day is a collaboration between the City of Gouda, the local water sports club SWRP, and the Gouda Lock Keepers’ Guild. Due to construction work on the Karnemelksloot, this year’s event will not take place on the longest day of the year. As a result, the program will start later, and the evening return trip has also been moved up.
Registration is not required for most activities. However, participants are asked to take note of the exact sailing and start times.
