Eerste Zaanse Zweefvlieg Club

“Did the Eerste Zaanse Zweefvlieg Club always call Castricum home?” a curious visitor might ask. The answer is a resounding no. This club, rich in history and passion for soaring through the skies, began its journey in 1936 in Krommenie, thanks to the vision of 23-year-old Piet Booy. The Eerste Zaanse Zweefvlieg Club’s early days were marked by ingenuity and a deep love for flight. Booy, a skilled craftsman, transformed a discarded Rumpler aircraft into a ground trainer. He guided eager members across bumpy fields, their dreams taking flight even without leaving the ground. The club’s first true home was a rented field between Tuindorp-Oostzaan and Amsterdam Noord, secured in 1938. Here, under Booy’s guidance, they built their own aircraft, a wooden ESG, affectionately nicknamed the “flying crate.” This era of the Eerste Zaanse Zweefvlieg Club was defined by camaraderie and resourcefulness. Members honed their skills, not just in flying, but in building and maintaining their aircraft. They even repurposed a Chrysler, once used for transporting fish, to serve as their winch. World War II brought a standstill to their aerial pursuits. Flying was forbidden. The Eerste Zaanse Zweefvlieg Club cleverly hid their precious A-Ford and ESG under a makeshift haystack, protecting them from confiscation. The ingenuity extended to scavenging parts from downed aircraft, including a B17, ensuring they could return to the skies when peace returned. After the war, the Eerste Zaanse Zweefvlieg Club found their Oostzaan field transformed into farmland. Booy, ever the visionary, had already set his sights on the dunes of Castricum. After years of negotiation, their persistence paid off. In 1950, the Eerste Zaanse Zweefvlieg Club finally landed in Castricum, where they remain today. The club now boasts a fleet of five modern gliders and a dedicated membership. Their current home features a landing strip, clubhouse, hangar, and workshop. All stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Eerste Zaanse Zweefvlieg Club. From humble beginnings in Krommenie to their current home in Castricum, their journey reflects a passion for flight that has spanned decades, inspiring generations of glider enthusiasts.