A varied trip along the Zaan and through the Wormer. First, some larger waters and then through the polder with smaller ditches.
Starting at the Arjan Bloem Kayak Center offering restrooms and changing rooms. Using their jetty on the Zaan, which eliminated the need for a portage or lock. With a pleasant temperature, some cloud cover, and almost no wind, we set off along the Zaan towards Zaandam.
As you travel through Zaandam, you’ll see the historic warehouses. Many have been beautifully restored and converted into attractive homes. Some are still in use, bearing major brands like Lassie and Duyvis, while others have fallen into disrepair. Beautiful industrial architecture along a river reflects the importance of the area for trade and industry.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Zaan region experienced great economic prosperity. A wide variety of industries were concentrated in a small area. Weaving mills, starch factories, sailcloth factories, paper, tobacco, paint, candles, snuff, bluing, cocoa, cooperages, smithies, bluing factories, sawmills, shipbuilding, shipping, trade, and livestock farming—all of this could be found along the banks of the Zaan River. Whaling was also important.
Of course, along the water, you’ll also find the familiar, traditional Zaan green wooden houses. And finally, the famous windmills of the Zaanse Schans. The (light) wind turned the mills. A familiar procession of tourists gathered on the dike.
Just past the Zaanse Schans, we quickly took the turnoff towards the Wormer Ringvaart canal. After a few kilometers of sailing on the canal, we passed a beautiful windmill and arrived at our lunch spot. This was also the portage to the Wormerpolder.
With 12 kilometers of sailing under our belts, it was nice to get out of the boat and stretch our legs, have a cup of coffee, and eat a sandwich. Then we headed into the polder towards Jisp, where the shallow water made paddling much harder. We zigzagged between the small islands around Het Zwet and De Marken, gradually reaching our destination.
After 20 kilometers and almost five hours on the road, we arrived back at the kayakcenter.
