Introducing the Dutch Boatbuilding Students

In collaboration with our Dutch friends to celebrate the 375^th anniversary of Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman, visiting what would one day become Tasmania, we at the AWBF are welcoming six enthusiastic boatbuilding students and one great teacher from the Netherlands to Tasmania to embark on a great boatbuilding adventure.

We would like to use this opportunity to introduce the six talented students: Keith (19yo) with his girlfriend Mirjam (20yo) are both studying at the HMC College in Rotterdam, and met during their learning experience at HMC. They are both looking forward to staying with their host families throughout their foreign internship, and jumped at the opportunity for the highly desirable experience. Mirjam started at HMC studying furniture making, however found boatbuilding much more interesting. Rens (29yo) from Amsterdam started his working career working his way up the corporate ladder, but found it was not for him, and joined HMC for a new adventure; he is excited for a Tasmanian BBQ. Jeroen, (29yo) also from Amsterdam is an adventure seeker who is looking forward to experiencing all Tasmania has to offer. Pim (21yo) from Rotterdam specialises in wooden boatbuilding and yacht interior design, and saw the Tasmanian project as a once in a lifetime opportunity that he just couldn’t miss. Finally, Frans (23yo) who is passionate about wooden boat restoration, says he is looking forward to a new travel and learning experience in Tasmania.

Keith (19yo) with his girlfriend Mirjam (20yo), who fell in love while building boats.

Not only will the students be working in the boatbuilding village of Franklin, but they will also be living with host families in the beautiful Huon Valley. The opportunity is a once in a lifetime experience to learn about our culture, develop their boatbuilding skills and to make lifelong friendships with the Tasmanian boatbuilding community.

Also, our Dutch friends are bringing with them four wooden vessels, which are currently in a container off the coast of Brittany. Track their voyage from the Netherlands here. 

Two traditional Dutch tjotters ready to embark on their adventure across the high seas.

Two of the wooden vessels making the journey from the Netherlands.

The Dutch container on it’s way from the loading point to the container ship.

If you can understand the Dutch language, there is a great video that was follows the progress of the container being filled to the brim with boats, materials and bikes ready for its departure to Tasmania. Have a look at the video here.

(Information and photographs provided by Bert van Baar and students, source: Tasmanian16m2.wordpress.com and Facebook)