Features

The Dutch Open 2017 Gets Even Bigger As It Takes Place At Its New Home

OptimusPrime

One of the biggest events in the airsoft practical shooting/action air calendar in Europe is the Dutch Open. Organised by the NABV’s International Airsoft Practical Shooting (IAPS) group, the tournament has moved to what we might call its permanent home, the NABV National Airsoft Centrum in Geldermalsen, The Netherlands. In the first two years, the Dutch Open was held at the National Sports Centre in Papendal, Arnhem.

The NABV National Airsoft Centrum is the first of its kind in the world. Whilst Dutch airsoft is one of the youngest in the world, having been formally legalised five years ago, it is nevertheless the most organised in the world. The National Airsoft Centrum is proof of that organisation and they also have the best resources amongst airsoft players’ organisations in the world.

The Dutch Open 2017 took place last 11-12 November.

On the first day of the event Master Chief and I arrived at the National Airsoft Centrum, hitching a ride with Luuk Van Hulten at the hotel that they have arranged for us in Zaltbommel, about 15 minutes away from Geldermalsen. Amazed at the look at layout of the place, we were briefly shown around and had breakfast with the ROs for the event. All were ready to officiate, as well as the shooters who were all ready for two days of shooting through 24 courses of fire of varying difficulty. We went quickly with our breakfast, got our shooting (read: cameras) gear, and off to the briefing area for us to start covering the Dutch Open 2017 officially.

Gerard Timmers, the Director of the National Airsoft Centrum as well as from the NABV IAPS Competition Committee and Chief RO, Bart Verwijst welcomed all the competitors by 0900H and done a quick briefing as well as announcing the squad leaders for the different squads that the 120 shooters from The Netherlands, Great Britain, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia belong to. The briefing was quick as it will be a long day ahead of 12 stages, as each day has been allotted 12 stages each.

The shooters immediately broke up into 10 squads. There were 12 squads in total with squads 11 and 12 already had their Pre-Match shoot as they are the ROs and competition support staff. Having no idea which squad to follow first, I climbed up the scaffolding the NABV IAPS crew setup in the middle of the facility giving a bird’s eyeview of most of the COFs. Right below me was squad 1 comprised mainly of the Germans and immediately started snapping away with my camera as Day 1 action started. Master Chief was in charge of the video so he was roaming around following any squad that will start a stage immediately.

The layout of the COFs were different as what we were used to in Papendal. Just like the Strike Force CQB in Gloucester where the Airsoft Surgeon European Championships were held, there are certain areas with an existing infrastructure for airsoft training, and the match officials have to be creative in designing the COFs and factor in these as they designed liked rooms for CQB. This meant that there were some really tight spaces that were tough for the shooters but even tougher for me as it was hard to follow the shooters at certain stages. As for Master Chef, had the luxury of a tripod for the video camera that he can use to record the action by hoisting it up over the walls.

Just like the previous years, the Match organisers went about their jobs like clockwork, shuffling the squads, taking care any issue that arose, and did fixes when technical problems happen at the COFs. It has always been a treat to see the NAVB IAPS work as things look effortless, though we know that a lot of hard work had been put into holding the Dutch Open.

As for the shooters, many of them are familiar with each other as they are competitors in the Airsoft Surgeon European Championship and the Dutch Open, and to some extent the Belgian Open, which was first held last March. The familiarity also meant they know the strengths of their fellow shooters as they try hard to beat the times and scores to be in the podium by the end of the second day. The top shooters working hard to maintain their to be one of the best in Europe whilst for others, shooting in the presence of their peers from other countries is already a satisfaction for going to the Dutch Open.

As for the shooters, many of them are familiar with each other as they are competitors in the Airsoft Surgeon European Championship and the Dutch Open, and to some extent the Belgian Open, which was first held last March. The familiarity also meant they know the strengths of their fellow shooters as they try hard to beat the times and scores to be in the podium by the end of the second day. The top shooters working hard to maintain their to be one of the best in Europe whilst for others, shooting in the presence of their peers from other countries is already a satisfaction for going to the Dutch Open.

But one thing’s for sure, the level of intensity in terms of competition is very high. As for friendship and sportsmanship amongst the shooters at the event, much even higher.

As Day 1st ended and shooting gear stowed away, the shooters were treated to a dinner by the NABV. Tired but smiling and of course hungry after a long day, they grabbed platefuls of food and munched them down with much gusto. We joined them as we were tired as well as standing up for most of the day following squads go through the stages would also take a toll on our aging legs and arms.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel, dropped off our gear inside our rooms and freshened up a bit. We went down for some drinks at the bar but we did not stay long as most would rather hit the beds and call it night. We were to be up early as we needed to be at National Airsoft Centrum as Day 2 will start at 0800H. So back to our rooms and for me I still had to transfer the videos and photos of the Day 1 action before I hit the sack for a deep slumber.

For Day 2, it was David Meuken who kindly gave us a ride back to the venue. We were happy that all our stuff fitted inside his hatchback as we planned on going to Amsterdam right after the awarding ceremonies to spend the night there before flying back to the UK. The hotel packed our breakfast since we didn’t have the luxury to eat them there so once we got back to the National Airsoft Centrum we quickly went through our packs then grabbed our cameras, ready to start Day 2.

The energy level was still the same as Day 1 as shooters went through the stages, now more intent in improving their scores. A bit weird arrangement for the Airsoft Ibiza Pistol Shooting Club (AIPSC) shooters, they had to end their shoot by noon time as their gear needed to be carried by one of their shooters who was able to arrange with the airline to bring them as checked luggage. However, he had to leave early as his flight back was in the afternoon. The rest of the AIPSC shooters did not have the same arrangement with their airlines. That meant that they cannot finish going through remaining stages in Day 2. But for them, they were still glad that they made it to the Dutch Open, as it was their first time to participate at the event. Hopefully they can remedy that problem if they intend to be shooting for next year.

Day 2 is very much straightforward, no drama at all. By 1700H all the squads have gone through the remaining 12 stages and were eager to learn the results. But before that, a raffle draw was conducted where lucky winners get to bring home some gear and airsoft guns as contributed by the sponsors of the event.  NABV Chairman, Alex Leenders was there to grace the event and present the raffle prizes and awards.

Notable in winners in the categories and divisions are families. The Wyborns, led by the Dad, Tim Wyborn, all got into the podium. Tim got 2nd place for the Senior Division, European Championship whilst Matt won the Open Division, European Championship. But the youngest Wyborn, Paul, bagged two: as European Champion Junior Standard Division and third place, European Championship Standard Division.

The father and daughter tandem from Belgium, Joeri and Lani De Haes, made news for winning in their divisions. Joeri as the European Champion Standard Division and Lani as the European Champion Ladies Division and the youngest to achieve it still being in her tweens. It was an emotional moment for Joeri as Lani finally joined him in bringing home a Champion trophy.

The organizers thanked all the shooters and support crew for the Dutch Open and hoped to see them all again next year.

Just like that, the Dutch Open 2017 came to a close, in an efficient and orderly way the NABV is known for. By 1830H, we were all on our way out of Geldermalsen, with many shooters needing to catch their flights or those who need to catch the train to cross the Eurotunnel. Luuk dropped us off at the Geldermalsen train station and we thanked him for the assistance. Tired as he was, he drove away to join David for dinner before they separated to get back to their homes.

Here are the winners of the Dutch Open 2017:

Open Division European Championship:

1st: Matthew Wyborn (XPSC, GBR)
2nd: Maciej Piwowarski (Legia Warszawa, POL)
3rd: Jurgen Ronsse (TGS Bauffe, BEL)

Standard Division European Championship:

1st: Joeri De Haes (AAD, BEL)
2nd: Pavol Babenský  (ŠKP Luger Žilina, SVK)
3rd: Paul Wyborn (XPSC, GBR)

Production Division European Championship:

1st: Don De Rooij (SV Langedijk, NLD)
2nd: Marc Cauchies (La Defense, BEL)
3rd: Balte De Wit (TAG IAPS Team, NLD)

Ladies Division European Championship:

1st: Lani De Haes (AAD, BEL)
2nd: Marianne Gundayao (LPSAA, GBR)
3rd: Dionne Reugebrink (NABV Promo, NLD)

Open Senior Division European Championship:

1st: Chi Hong Ho (NLD)
2nd: Tim Wyborn (XPSC, GBR)
3rd: Jon Cull (WPPC, GBR)

Open Super Senior Division European Championship:

1st: Alphonse Defgnée (Coyote Team, BEL)
2nd: Paul Van Den Bosch (WPPC, GBR)
3rd: Fred Jansen (NLD)

Standard Junior European Championship:

1st: Paul Wyborn (XPSC, GBR)
2nd: Thomas Coquelle (La Defense, BEL)
3rd:  Alexandre Coquelle (La Defense, BEL)

Standard Senior Division European Championship:

1st:  Harry Ter Borg (Bunker 501, NLD)
2nd: Marco Van Der Muelen (Hot Shots, NLD)
3rd: Rene Hoeck (La Defense, BEL)

Stand Super Senior European Championship:

1st: Marcel Smeers (Marilles, BEL)
2nd: Guy De Backer (La Defense, BEL)
3rd: Mark Van Den Bosch (WPPC, GBR)

Open Division Dutch Championship:

1st: Chi Hong Ho
2nd: David Meuken
3rd: Luuk Van Hulten

Standard Division Dutch Championship:

1st: Harry Ter Borg
2nd: Jamie Duikersloot
3rd: Ingemar Bouwhuis

Photos of the Dutch Open 2017 can be found at the Popular Airsof Facebook Page. Videos to follow. Our thanks to all the participants and the NABV for organising such an en excellent event and congratulations to all the winners.

The Latest News

Feature Story

Airsoft Guns and Gear Reviews