TOURIST INFO
Sport &
Activities in Amsterdam:
Athletics
There are four athletics tracks in Amsterdam: Elzenhagen, Olympiaplein,
Ookmeer and Chris Bergerbaan. The Trimloopboekje, published every
August, lists all running events in the Netherlands. The four major
events in Amsterdam are the Vondelparkloop in January; June's Grachtenloop
around the city's canals; the Dam tot Damloop from Amsterdam to
Zaandam in late September; and the Amsterdam Marathon, which will
celebrate its 25th anniversary in October 2000. Further details
on athletics in Holland are available from the KNAU on 030 608 7300.
Basketball
While public
basketball courts are a rarity in the city centre, there are several
clubs in Amsterdam that welcome players: call the NBB Amsterdam
district office on 675 0462 for more information.
Bowling
Several places
mentioned above, such as the Borchland Sportscentrum, have lanes;
see the Amsterdam Yellow Pages under 'Bowlingbanen'. Phone the Nederlandse
Bowling Federatie on 010 473 5581 for more details on all aspects
of the sport, including competitions and leagues.
Knijn Bowling
Scheldeplein 3
664 2211
Tram 4.
Open 10am-1am Mon-Fri; noon-1am Sat; noon-midnight Sun.
Lanes 18; max 6 persons per lane.
Credit Cards: AmEx, MC, V.
Bowlingvereniging
Amsterdam
Scheldeplein 3
1078 GR Amsterdam
Sportcentrum
De Kegel
Bovenkerkerweg 81
1187 XC Amstelveen
Bowlingclub
Noordam
Buikslotermeerplein 300
1025 GB Amsterdam
Bowlingcentrum
Pim's Bowling
Buikslotermeerplein 4
1025 GB Amsterdam
Bowlingclub
50+ Sun In Bowling
Scheldeplein 3
1078 GR Amsterdam
Rivierenbuurt
Health
& Fitness
A Bigger
Splash
Facilities at A Bigger Splash include a weights room, Turkish baths,
a massage service and a sauna, all included in the price. There
are ten aerobics classes daily, and personal trainers are available.
Looiersgracht 26-30
Phone: +31 (0) 20 624 8404
Tram 7, 10, 17, 20.
Open 7am-midnight daily.
Credit AmEx, DC, V.
Sporting
Club Leidseplein
A central health club with weights, aerobics classes and a sauna.
Individual training programmes can be put together.
Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 18
Phone: +31 (0)20 620 6631
Tram 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, 20. Open 9am-midnight Mon-Fri; 10am-6pm
Sat, Sun.
No credit cards.
The Garden
The cheapest all-in-one price in town gives you the choice of high-
and low-impact and step aerobics, bodyshape, callisthenics and stretching.
There's also a sun studio and hairdressers, and masseurs are available.
Jodenbreestraat 158
Phone: +31 (0) 20 626 8772
Tram 9, 14, 20/Metro Waterlooplein.
Open 9am-11pm Mon, Wed, Fri; noon-11pm Tue, Thur; 11am-6.30pm Sat;
10am-7pm Sun.
No credit cards.
Saunas
Most Dutch saunas are mixed, and covering up is frowned upon. But
most offer women-only times as well. See also the Amsterdam Yellow
Pages under 'Saunas', Health & fitness opposite, and page 210.
De Keizer
Tucked away in the servants' quarters of this 18th-century canal
house is a full sauna that conjures up Hollywood interpretations
of ancient Rome.
Keizersgracht 124,
Phone: +31 (0)20 622 7504
Tram 1, 2, 5, 13, 17, 20.
Open noon-11pm Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat; 10am-11pm Tue, Thur; noon-8pm
Sun.
No credit cards.
Deco Sauna
The most beautiful sauna in town, with art deco glass panels and
murals. Facilities include a Turkish bath, a Finnish sauna, a cold
plunge bath and a solarium. Massages, Shiatsu, and skin and beauty
care are by appointment.
Herengracht 115,
Phone: +31 (0)20 623 8215
Tram 1, 2, 5, 13, 17, 20.
Open 11am-11pm Mon-Sat; 1-6pm Sun.
No credit cards.
Skateboarding,
Inlining & Rollerskating
While the new half-pipe at Museumplein is considered by locals to
be too dangerous, there are others scattered throughout neighbourhoods
just outside the city centre. Inliners and rollerskaters flock to
Amsterdam for the miles of bike paths and the Vondelpark. If conditions
are dry enough, check out the Friday Night Skate, an informal and
popular tour through Amsterdam. Wearing protective gear and blinkers
is strongly encouraged, and you must be able to stop at intersections.
Consult the
Amsterdam Yellow Pages (under 'Sport en Spelartikelen') for a complete
list of specialist shops and rental locations.
Balance
The rates for skate hire here include protection for the wrists,
knees and elbows, but not helmets.
Overtoom 464-6
Phone: +31 (0)20 489 4723
Tram 1, 6.
Open 1-6pm Mon; 10am-6pm Tue, Wed, Fri; 10am-9pm Thur; 9.30am-5pm
Sat; closed Sun.
Credit cards: MC, V.
Rent A Skate
There are two branches of in Vondelpark: one at the café
by the Amstelveenseweg, the other over at the Melkgroothuis.
Vondelpark 7
Phone: +31 (0)6 5466 2262 (mobile)
Tram 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 12, 20.
Open Apr-Oct 11am-9.30pm Mon-Fri; 10.30am-8pm Sat, Sun.
No credit cards.
Skating
Skating in the Netherlands is all about blades, not wheels, and
we're not talking figure skating either. Dutch skating is about
long-distance treks and tours, and it's not for the faint-hearted.
However, conditions are rarely right nowadays: the scenes depicted
by the old masters of people skating on the canals are, in general,
a thing of the past.
If conditions are right - the ice must be very thick, which is why
the race hasn't been held since 1997 - look out for the Elfstedentocht,
a 200-kilometre (124-mile) race round Friesland. With up to 10,000
people taking part - starting early and finishing by dusk - it's
a massive national event. You must be a member of the Elfstedenvereniging
association to compete, and even then, lots are drawn as numbers
are limited. However, exceptions are sometimes made for foreigners.
If the canals
freeze over in Amsterdam and you fancy a skate, then be careful:
the ice is often weak, particularly under the bridges. If in doubt,
ask one of the locals or head to the Jaap Edenhal 400-metre ice
track at Radioweg 64 (694 9652). Some of the ponds and lakes in
and around Amsterdam may offer safer opportunities: contact the
KNSB in Amersfoort (0334 621784) for information on conditions and
organised events.
Skiing
Ski-Inn Indoorskibaan
Wg-plein 281
1054 SE Amsterdam, Oud-West
Indoorski
& Sun Amsterdam Noord
J. van Hasseltweg 114-118
1022 WZ Amsterdam, Noord
Jaap Eden
Kunstijsbaan
Radioweg 64
1098 NJ Amsterdam, Watergraafsmeer
Netherlands
Skiing Association for the visually impaired
Mijehof 286
1106 HV Amsterdam, Zuidoost
