Competitors from various parts of the Netherlands convened in the central village of Polsbroekerdam on Saturday for the annual national 'fierljeppen' or canal vaulting competition. More than 2,000 spectators assembled to witness 48 participants in five categories vie for the title, with the objective being to leap the furthest distance over water using a pole.
'Fierljeppen is an incredibly extreme sport,' stated organizer Danny Baas in an interview with Reuters. Participants sprint towards a long pole on one side of a canal, leap, and as the pole tilts over to the other side, they climb as high as possible to land as far as they can on the opposite bank.
'There are numerous factors that could lead to a failed jump, making it extremely challenging to achieve an optimal leap,' commented 23-year-old participant Lucas van Eijk. The term 'fierljeppen' originates from the Frisian language and historically meant 'graceful jumping', as documented by the Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In the Netherlands, where a significant portion of agricultural land is reclaimed from water, pastures are frequently separated by canals. Before the advent of cars and bicycles in the early 20th century, farmers used vaulting poles to bypass lengthy walks to crossing points. Over time, formal competitions emerged, with the earliest recorded event dating back to 1767. Currently, there are approximately 600 active 'fierljeppers' in the Netherlands, spread across several organizations.
