Watersportbaan
Encyclopedia
The Watersportbaan is a five lane rowing
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...

 race course in the Belgian city of Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...

. It is 2300 metres long and 76m wide and was first used in 1954. Despite most major international Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron (FISA) regattas are designed to adhere to the 8-lane Albano format, this race track is suited for 2 medium-sized international FISA Regattas, but also for smaller competitions. The two annual regattas are Spring Regatta (Spring Regatta) and Meiregatta (May - Regatta
May - Regatta
May Regatta is a Belgian international Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron rowing regatta. The race is known under this name since the beginning of the 20th century...

). Anther exception to the FISA indication is the Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...

. Matches on both sides may be close and seats are available only on the full last 250m stretch. This urban facility near the city center has a the direct connection with the numerous adjoining rivers and canals such as the Coupure (Gent) the Graslei, the Ghent-Bruges Canal and the Lys (river), of which a side arm also flows through the rowing course. This makes them more attractive to students and recreational boating.

The Watersportbaan was a project in the old Ghent
Ghent
Ghent is a city and a municipality located in the Flemish region of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the East Flanders province. The city started as a settlement at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys and in the Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of...

 Neermeersen after the Second World War. The part to the 1500 line was already part of the Leie River. What is now the current finish line was a dump. The project consisted of social housing, a small shopping center, schools and a central element Watersportbaan. The original name, 'Geo Nachez' refers to the deputy and club chairman from that time. The excavated soil was used as landfill to stabilize the marshy Meersen. The job was created for the European Rowing Championships
European Rowing Championships
The European Rowing Championships is an international Rowing regatta organised by FISA .The first event was held in 1893 and as of 1962 was replaced by the World Rowing Championships, which then became an annual event from 1974...

 in Ghent of 1955. It is today a haven for various athletes. Water sports such as rowing and kanopolo are practiced on the river by both Civil clubs such as Royal Club Nautique de Gand
Royal Club Nautique de Gand
Royal Club Nautique de Gand...

, the multiple and first foreign Grand Challenge Cup
Grand Challenge Cup
The Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and most prestigious event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing clubs...

 and lso Thames Challenge Cup
Thames Challenge Cup
The Thames Challenge Cup is a rowing event for men's eights at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from a single rowing club. Boat clubs from any university, college or secondary school are not permitted, neither are squad...

 2001 - winners and a new Ghent Students Rowing
Ghent Students Rowing
Ghent Students Rowing is a rowing club for students in the Belgian city of Ghent.This association is the first official student rowing club of Flanders...

.
A Finnish track of 5000 metres was constructed around the course that is often used by joggers. The area includes a recreation area and the International Indoor Flanders Sports Arena
Flanders Sports Arena
The Flanders Sports Arena is a multi-purpose Indoor arena in Ghent, Belgium. Opened in 2000, the Flanders Sports Arena can hold up to 5,000 people in sporting events....

.

External links

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