Touring skippers have been meeting in the East Frisian town of Leer for over 30 years. The partnership between the town of Leer and the German Motor Yacht Association (DMYV) is correspondingly good, as the mayor of Leer, Claus-Peter Horst, and DMYV President Frank Dettmering emphasised.
Crews from all over Germany, the Netherlands and neighbouring countries find their way to Leer every two years and celebrate a large harbour festival with a colourful programme together with the locals and numerous visitors as part of the "Leer maritim" festival. Even though the weather this year played out the full programme from sunshine to downpours, the boat crews were not deterred. On the first weekend in August, a good 60 boats were moored on the quayside of the Leer inland harbour. In addition to boats from all over Germany, water sports enthusiasts from the Dutch clubs were traditionally well represented.
Modernised supporting programme for crews and visitors
This could also have been due to the new and modernised programme compared to previous years, which was put together by the staff of the Sport Boat Association, the DMYV and the city of Leer. In addition to information and hands-on events such as dinghy taster trips, motor surfing and racing boat demonstrations, the programme included a visit to the famous Meyer shipyard in Papenburg, a guided tour of the maritime technology centre at Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences, a range of lectures, workshops and an arts and crafts market in the old town of Leer.
The touring skipper meeting in Leer was once again supported and sponsored this year by Pantaenius Versicherung. The winners of the DMYV cruising competition and the northern rally to Leer, for which Pantaenius - quite pragmatically - donated valuable petrol vouchers as prizes, were delighted.
Socialising at the touring skipper meeting takes centre stage
On Friday evening, the big DMYV party evening took place in the historic old customs house near the harbour, where the participants celebrated with food and drink and live music. The winning skippers of the 2024 competition and the Leer course rally were also honoured here, as well as deserving honorary members.
Marriage proposal on the festive evening
DMYV President Frank Dettmering provided the romantic highlight of the event: to great applause from those present, Frank Dettmering proposed to his long-time partner and co-skipper Claudia Filbir. She immediately answered the question with a convincing "YES!" and is therefore on course to officially become the new "First Lady of the DMYV".
Ocean Night with live music
On Saturday, the sociable part of the event came to an end with the Ocean Night Party with the live band "Festzeltkomando" after an evening together with a buffet.
On Sunday, the big maritime festival in Leer ended with a brunch for the registered participants in the customs house in Leer, before the boats set off again for their home harbours or continued their tours.
Torsten Moench
Editor in Chief BOOTE
