Membership

All members of the Association have a ”right” to participate in the Elfstedentocht. The board changed the policy regarding this matter in the winter of 2015/2016. From that moment on, anyone who was a member on June 1, 2014, can start in the next Elfstedentocht. New registrations are placed on a waiting list and will be allowed to join if spots open up in the membership roster.

Before the winter of 2015/2016, only members with a “right to start” were allowed to participate at any time, while members with a “chance to start” could only participate in even or odd years. With the new policy, the distinction between members with a starting chance and members with a starting right was eliminated, allowing all members to participate.

In the years prior to 2015, the board was frequently questioned about its membership and starting procedure. The uncertainty among members with a “chance to start”, who were tied to even or odd years, was significant. The principle was always the board's decision from 1997, which stated that the membership and starting procedure would be reassessed after the next Elfstedentocht. However, in 2015, the board decided to reconsider the policy and thoroughly evaluate it, consulting with various partners. During the General Members Meeting in December 2014, the members were asked to further explore the possibility of allowing all members to participate. The members unanimously voted in favour of this proposal.

There were several considerations that led the board to believe that a change in policy was feasible:

• The opening of the new ice rink in Leeuwarden at the WTC, where participant registration will take place from 2015 onwards, reducing logistical problems compared to the previous location (Leeuwarden Airbase).
• Experiences from other events in recent years with more than 50,000 participants on 15 cm of ice, providing comparisons with our situation.
• Improved knowledge of the load-bearing capacity of good ice.
• A nearly foolproof registration process that excludes the use of someone else's start card.
• The use of identification items (e.g., vests), making unauthorised participants easily identifiable, which allows the organisation to intervene and significantly reduces the number of “dodgers.

Additionally, several changes have been implemented to enable an adjusted membership and the starting procedure:

• A revised starting procedure:
  • More groups.
  • A break after the first half of the starting groups in order to improve the spreading of participants
  • Slight adjustments to the start times, without major consequences.
• An alternative start at Zwettehaven with a possible extra pontoon bridge over the Van Harinxmakanaal, depending on ice conditions.
• Modified stamping processes at the checkpoints, such as altered setups and additional checkpoints on the ice and, in combination klúnplekken (locations where participants shortly walk on skates), on land.
• Route adjustments, with alternative routes prepared where necessary.

The Association currently has approximately 32,800 members.

Cancelling membership

Membership can only be cancelled in writing. To cancel, send a letter or an email containing your name, address, and membership number to the Association. The contact details can be found at the bottom of the website. You must notify us of your cancellation at least two months before the annual membership fee is collected, i.e., before August 1.