Last update
Fischerregatta Althagen
At the end of the series of Zeesenboot events in various ports in the Darss-Zingst Bodden Chain, the Fischerregatta takes place every year on the third weekend in September in Althagen. This regatta is a maritime, cultural and sailing highlight in the popular harbour, which is used all over the year by pleasure boats, Zeesenboots and net boats as a starting point and destination for trips in the Bodden waters.
The event is very popular with the Zeesenboot crews, but also with many visitors from the region. Saturday starts with a market for regional products and classic handicrafts. There is an entertainment program too with choir singing and music. You can get culinary specialities in the harbour restaurant and the smokehouse.
The start of the regatta takes place directly from the harbour. The port of Althagen is not very big and because there are always many Zeesenboots and other sailing fishing boats competing in the regatta, every year your can see the picture with fully-rigged Zeesenboots lying close together with their mostly brown sails.
In this regatta, a triangular course is sailed too, whereby the boats are timed individually. The official award ceremony takes place in the harbour in the evening before the day ends with music and dancing.
Fishing with a Zeesenboot
The association of the Zeesenboot owners organises on the weekend before the Fischerregatta a fishing with the boats as show for visitors. It's about maintaining tradition and rediscovering this fishing method. Fishing is only permitted on this one weekend of the year with a special permit. To do this, several boats are fitted with the outrigger beams at the bow and stern to spread the fishing net, the so-called Zeese, when drifting. Then they start fishing.
Drifting with the Zeese
The catch usually is negligible. The fishermen on board and always some visitors don't stop doing this again and to try. You spend a few hours together on the water and return home with many impressions and the experience that has been the everyday life of fishermen in this region.