OTYPE=R : romkedevriescomplete.txt : 00113 | Article on recreation on water by R. Romke de Vries. There is a blurring of the concept of recreation on and along the water. More and more activities are counted as recreation, which means that the possibilities for real recreation on water are becoming more and more limited. This is unfortunate, because water sports have historically shaped character and educated many generations. With the disappearance of boating opportunities, including the construction of fixed bridges, the vibrancy and adventure is disappearing. Recreation on water means that the well-behaved citizen is reborn as a skillful boater and adventurer through the possibilities of the water. The National Planning Board is investigating whether the water can provide relief for recreation in general. The writer opposes this because he fears that it will not leave enough space for water sports in the narrower sense. Opening up the water sports areas by means of freeways and bicycle paths creates over-recreation, which leads to the destruction of the lake landscape. Opening up is not necessary, because the real recreationist manages to get through to the recreational areas anyway, while by opening up the areas, they are sacrificed to urban culture.