bron: http://www.usmsswimmer.com/201003/usms_030410changesinlatitudes.pdf

THE NETHERLANDS
With a long history of canal and river swimming, the Dutch offer many competitive open water races – both in tra-
ditional freestyle, and in even more traditional breaststroke. For those more comfortable using breaststroke, the pre-
ferred stroke of Matthew Webb, the first person to cross the English Channel in 1875, the Dutch offer a number of af-
fordable races that range from 500 meters to 5K in flat-water lakes and canals. Swimmers often camp out before and after events such as the well-known Alkmaar Swim, which attracts breast-
strokers and freestylers from all over the world. The Dutch are also hosting the IPC (International Para-
lympics Committee) Swim-
ming World Championships in August this year, where a 5K race will be held for the blind, partially blind and physically disabled. Kayaks, bells and whistles guide the blind.