About us
The Ocean Races Academy was founded by Hans Bouscholte in 2014.
The Holland Ocean Racing Foundation was established in 2018 in collaboration with Willem Jan Landman and our main sponsor, Bolsius International BV.
The foundation provides a professional platform to train the next generation of offshore Big Boat sailors.
Our "sailing staff"
Hans Bouscholte NED
Skipper, Headcoach , Strategy Nickname : Bou
Philipp Schulze GER
Navigator, OBR, International Sales Nickname: German Power
Gerard Navarin FRA
Co Skipper, Coach, Routeur, Performer
Nickname: Gé Gé
Thierry Lacour FRA
Co-Skipper, Coach, Tactician, Navigation Nickname: TéTé
Our "organisation staff"
Arianne Rutgers NED
Finance, Administration, Back Office, Mailings
Peter Kaas NED
Ambassador, Trainee Coordinator, Outfits, After Sales
Otto Klaver NED
Operational and Crew Management, Sponsor coordinator.
Hans Bouscholte
Founder, Overall Responsible
Our trainees 15 - 25 year
Yves Lakerveld NED
Mainsail, Foredeck, Mumbou Boatcaptain
Femke Schaap NED
Mainsail , Sailing Management
Leonard Bruns GER
Trim, Grinder
Piecko Faase NED
Foredeck, Boatbuilder
Our trainees + Crew
Levi Ogryzlo, CAN
Trim, Runner, Pit
Ziva Moravec SLO
Pit, Trim
Michiel Goegebeur, BEL
Oceanrace
Olivier Steuer
Grind, Trim
Our Roaring Forties (+39)
Ray Rooijakkers NED
Mainsail Trim and Grind
Bas Sibeijn NED
Voordek, No1, Mast, Teamchef
Otto Klaver NED
Runners, Operationeel Management
Gerard Niersman NED
Navigation
Our yacht and boat
Boudragon
The BOUdragon is an impressive 20-meter ocean racing yacht with a rich and remarkable history. Formerly known as Silk Cut, the yacht made its name during the prestigious Whitbread Round the World Race, where in 1997 it set a 24-hour monohull distance record of 449.1 nautical miles at an average speed of 18.71 knots on the leg from Cape Town to Fremantle.
After the Whitbread, the yacht was acquired by the Swedish SEB syndicate and served as a training vessel for the Volvo Ocean Race in 2001 and 2002. It was later sold to the Netherlands, where in 2008 it sailed the fastest ever passage across the North Sea: Lowestoft to IJmuiden in just 5 hours and 57 minutes.
Hans Bouscholte subsequently purchased the yacht for use in the Ocean Races Academy. Thanks to a full renovation, made possible by Bolsius, the BOUdragon has been upgraded to meet modern safety and performance standards. This combination of historic significance and cutting-edge performance makes it a truly unique experience for ocean racing enthusiasts.
Mumbou
The Farr 30, formerly known as the Mumm 30, is a popular racing yacht designed by Bruce Farr.
The Farr 30 requires a crew of 5 to 7 people, depending on the race level and wind conditions, making it an excellent boat for team training and collaboration. It has a rich history in both offshore and inshore racing, including prestigious events such as the Tour de France à la Voile.
The yacht performs well in a wide range of conditions, from light winds to heavy seas, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced racers looking to refine their skills. The Farr 30 is fast, challenging, and purpose-built for competitive sailing. With a relatively straightforward setup and strong performance, it provides an excellent platform for those serious about learning to sail and competing in regattas.