Lagakari is still small compared to, for example, Amsterdam (300), Groningen (380) or Utrecht (more than 500), but the hope is that the association will grow much further, says Ezgim Mistikoglu, Lagakari chairman and second-year psychology student. The secret of the successful introduction period? “The board is very passionate and devoted. We are a good team.”
“Students often don't know that you can sail very well in Maastricht; all you need is a lake.” The Grindgat south of Maastricht is where Lagakari trains. The eight boats of the association are also in the harbor there.
From the sun and the blue water of the Turkish west coast to the Grindgat, isn't that disappointing? “No”, says the Turkish student with conviction. “A thick coat is fine in the winter. That's the beauty of sailing. It is always different, no trip is the same. In Maastricht I focus more on training.” Because there is a shortage of trainers in Maastricht this year: “We have too few instructors and skippers, qualified people who are allowed to take others on the boat. One year you have more than enough and the following year a number graduate and then you are without.”
Lagakari is not just for sailing, says Mistikoglu. “The board finds it important that there is a good balance between sailing and other activities. There is a drink every Thursday and an non-sailing activity takes place once every two weeks.” What for example? “Bowling, pool, movie night, board games, and campfires in the spring.” The sailors also go to the water sports province of Friesland for a weekend three times a year. “Those are intensive weekends: long days on the water and parties in the evening.”
Lots of fun, but also the competitive sailor is in the right place in Maastricht. “We regularly participate in competitions.” Last October for example at the Dutch Student Championship on the Heegermeer in Friesland. All sailing clubs except Lagakari are “very Dutch. With us, about half is foreign. The first day of the tournament we lived a bit in our own English bubble. We got a second place and noticed that the next day other associations were contacting us in English. That goes very quickly.”
