Thanks to Bev Davis of Penryn Rowing Club for this report.
The 33rd edition of the Muiden Pampus Muiden (MPM) race took place over Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd November at Muiden, just outside Amsterdam.
Photo credit: Bev Davis
Two Cornish clubs attended, Mevagissey and Penryn, along with an Appledore men’s crew (including one Coverack rower), who raced Penryn’s Morlader.
The event involves racing around Pampus Island, an artificial island and late-19th-century sea fort located in the IJmeer near Amsterdam. MPM is extremely popular with Dutch rowers and attracts a wide variety of craft, all coxed and with a minimum of four oars. As well as gigs, the fleet includes lifeboats, whalers and several designs of sloepen, each racing in their own class.
Photo credit: Bev Davis
The race format consists of two races on the Saturday and one on the Sunday. Crews race around Pampus Island, with the overall winner determined by the lowest cumulative time across all three races. Starts take place in a canal outside the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club, with three boats starting at one-minute intervals, the slowest craft setting off first.
Photo credit: Bev Davis
There was torrential rain for the first women’s race on Saturday, easing as the day progressed. Crews enjoyed a brisk tailwind on the leg out to the island, followed by a hard pull back. Conditions improved on Sunday, although it remained windy.
Photo credit: Bev Davis
The Appledore men were the defending champions and posted a time of 38:50 in the first race, just over a minute faster than their nearest rivals. They extended their advantage in each subsequent race and, after a total racing time of 1 hour 56 minutes and 42 seconds, secured overall victory by 4 minutes and 22 seconds.
The Mevagissey men finished a very creditable 14th out of 25 crews, recording a total time of 2 hours 15 minutes and 35 seconds.
Penryn’s women’s crew also raced well, finishing 15th out of 24 and gaining two places in the final race. Their overall time was 2 hours 41 minutes and 57 seconds.
MPM is also notable for its Saturday night celebrations and Sunday afternoon party, which includes prize-giving in the marquee. The Mevagissey men definitely won the fancy-dress competition!
Photo credit: Bev Davis
On Monday, the crews began the long journey home, although direct flights from Exeter to Amsterdam have made travel a little easier in recent years.
Planning is already under way for 2026. Until now, the veterans’ category has been for rowers aged over 45, but this is likely to rise to over 55. We are already looking forward to next year.
For full results and more information about the event, visit the MPM website.
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