The Watersportbaan, official name: Nationale Watersportbaan Georges Nachez, is a five lane rowing race course in the Belgian city of

Ghent Ghent ( nl, Gent ; french: Gand ; traditional English: Gaunt) is a city and a municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province, and the third largest in the country, exceeded in ...

. It is 2300 metres long and 76m wide and was first used in 1954. Despite most major international

Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron World Rowing, also known as the World Rowing Federation (former abbreviation FISA; french: Fédération internationale des sociétés d'aviron), is the international governing body for rowing. Its current president is Jean-Christophe Rolland who ...

(FISA) regattas are designed to adhere to the 8-lane Albano format, this race track is suited for 2 medium-sized international FISA Regattas, but also for smaller competitions. The two important annual regattas are Ghent May Regatta organised by Royal Sport Nautique de Gand and the Spring Regatta in April. Matches on both sides may be close and seats are available only on the full last 250 m stretch. This urban facility near the city center has a direct connection with the numerous adjoining rivers and canals such as the Coupure (Gent) the Graslei, the Ghent-Bruges Canal and the Lys (river), of which a side arm also flows through the rowing course. This makes them more attractive to students and recreational boating. The Watersportbaan was a project in the old

Neermeersen after the Second World War. The part to the 1500 line was already part of the Leie River. What is now the current finish line was a rubbish dump. The project consisted of social housing, a small shopping center, schools and a central element Watersportbaan. The original name, 'Georges Nachez' refers to the deputy and club chairman from that time. The excavated soil was used as landfill to stabilize the marshy Meersen. The project was created for the 1955 European Rowing Championships in Ghent. It is today a haven for various athletes. Water sports such as rowing and kanopolo are practiced on the river by both Civil clubs such as Royal Sport Nautique de Gand and

Royal Club Nautique de Gand (English: ''Royal Rowing Club of Ghent'' / French: ''Royal Club Nautique de Gand'') is a rowing club from the Belgian city of Ghent founded in 1871. The association is located at the Ghent urban Watersportbaan rowing course. It has an extensiv ...

, the multiple and first foreign

Grand Challenge Cup The Grand Challenge Cup is a rowing competition for men's eights. It is the oldest and best-known event at the annual Henley Royal Regatta on the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames in England. It is open to male crews from all eligible rowing cl ...

and also Thames Challenge Cup 1983 and 2008 finalists and 2001 - winners. A Finnish track of 5000 metres was constructed around the course that is often used by joggers. The area includes a recreation area and the International Indoor

Flanders Sports Arena The Flanders Sports Arena ( nl, Topsporthal Vlaanderen) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Ghent, Belgium. Opened in 2000, the Flanders Sports Arena can hold up to 5,000 people in sporting events. It was realized through a public-private partne ...

External links

Webpage about the Watersportbaan
{{commons category, Watersportbaan Sport in Ghent Rowing venues Rowing in Belgium Sports venues in East Flanders