Waterrecreatie Nederland

What Waterrecreatie Nederland does

Waterrecreatie Nederland, officially Stichting Waterrecreatie Nederland, is a Dutch non-profit foundation (KvK 41158896) established in 2014 and headquartered in Leusden, with secondary offices in The Hague and Amsterdam. It functions as the national knowledge and network organization for the Dutch water recreation sector, operating as an independent intermediary between public authorities (national government, all twelve provinces, municipalities, water boards) and private water sports stakeholders (marinas, federations, industry associations such as HISWA-RECRON and Watersportverbond). The organization is led by Director Marleen Maarleveld under an independent chair (J. Feenstra) with a board drawn from provinces, water boards, and water sports federations, and a small operational bureau of approximately six named staff.

Its core offerings are information and coordination products rather than commercial software. The Kennisbank is a digital repository of research reports, policy documents, maps, and sector data, organized around themes of sustainability, route networks, safety, and water experience. The Atlas Watersport en Waterrecreatie and a suite of interactive Map Viewers (Harbor Viewer, BRTN Policy Viewer, Staande Mast Route Viewer, Wastewater Intake Points Viewer) provide GIS-based spatial data for policy and infrastructure planning. Most distinctively, the organization developed and commercially launched in January 2026 an AI-botentelling service that uses satellite imagery to count and classify recreational vessels, with reported accuracy of 80% on land and 92% on water, backed by a dataset of 211,237 boats mapped across 330 images.

The business model is grant- and project-funded rather than commercial. Revenue sources include project-based subsidies from provinces (with Zuid-Holland, Fryslân, and others as documented funders), commissions from Rijkswaterstaat and Deltares, membership contributions through Kennisnetwerk Waterrecreatie Gemeenten and Netwerk Waterrecreatie, and emerging revenue from paid AI analytics reports. Strategic programs include the Toekomstvisie Waterrecreatie 2025 framework, the BRTN national recreational boating network, the Varen doe je Samen! safety campaign (23-partner covenant 2025-2030), and research collaborations with Breda University of Applied Sciences on carbon footprint and with Deltares on the IJsselmeer economic value analysis.

Name

Waterrecreatie Nederland

Legal name

Stichting Waterrecreatie Nederland

Website

https://waterrecreatienederland.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Waterrecreatie Nederland is a Dutch non-profit foundation that operates the national knowledge and network hub for water recreation, providing research, GIS mapping, policy coordination, and an AI-powered boat counting service to Dutch provinces, municipalities, water boards, and water sports associations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Recreation Knowledge and Network Services

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (488390)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water, Wastewater & Hydraulics Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAD)

Keywords

• Water recreation knowledge
• Recreational boating networks
• Water sports research
• Maritime spatial planning
• Public-private water sector collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

Leusden

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Project-based Funding from Government: Waterrecreatie Nederland operates as a foundation that receives subsidies and project funding from various government bodies including the national government, provinces (Drenthe, Fryslân, Groningen, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland, Flevoland), municipalities, and water boards. Projects are commissioned by organizations such as Deltares, Rijkswaterstaat, and provincial/local governments.
2. Membership and Network Contributions: Revenue generated through participation fees for network programs like Kennisnetwerk Waterrecreatie Gemeenten, which offers basic participation services and extra contribution options for municipalities seeking deeper support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Waterrecreatie Nederland operates as a public-private knowledge and network foundation that develops, aggregates, and shares knowledge, data, and tools to support safe and sustainable water recreation in the Netherlands. Its core offerings are the Kennisbank (knowledge bank of research and policy documents), interactive map viewers and the Atlas Watersport en Waterrecreatie, the AI-botentelling satellite-based boat counting service, and recurring national water sports research — delivered alongside network facilitation programs for municipalities, provinces, water boards, and water sports associations.

Product overview

Waterrecreatie Nederland is a knowledge and network organization focused on water recreation in the Netherlands. Its primary offerings center on information products: the Kennisbank (Knowledge Bank) serves as a searchable digital repository of research, reports, maps, and data; the Atlas Watersport en Waterrecreatie provides online interactive mapping; the AI-botentelling model offers satellite-based boat counting services; and various Map Viewers display nautical infrastructure and route networks. Research products like Watersportonderzoek and Carbon Footprint Research provide sector-wide insights. These offerings collectively support policy-making, infrastructure planning, and sustainable development of Dutch water recreation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Varen doe je Samen!: Safety awareness campaign for water sports and recreation, focused on educating watersports enthusiasts about safety on Dutch waterways
• AI-botentelling
• Natuurinclusief Ondernemen voor Jachthavens

Products and services

• Kennisbank (Knowledge Bank) Digital knowledge base serving as the primary information source for policymakers, user associations, trade associations, volunteers, and professionals involved in water recreation in the Netherlands. Contains research reports, maps, ambitions, facts and figures, and environmental maps across topics of sustainability, route networks and facilities, safety, and water experience.
• Atlas Watersport en Waterrecreatie Online atlas making spatial-physical data about water sports and water recreation available through static and interactive maps. Allows combining map viewers to display water sport types by water type, nautical infrastructure, and cultural-historical heritage for use by government, researchers, and sector professionals.
• AI-botentelling (AI Boat Counting Service) AI-based service that uses satellite imagery to detect and count recreational vessels at national and regional scales, distinguishing motorboats, sloepen (sloops), and sailing boats. Available for regional reports and custom analyses for government, provinces, water boards, and sector partners.
• Map Viewers (Harbor, Maintenance, Wastewater, BRTN Policy, Staande Mast Route) Suite of interactive GIS-based map viewers including Harbor Viewer Netherlands, Replacement and Renovation Viewer, Wastewater Intake Points Viewer, BRTN Policy Viewer, and Staande Mast Route Viewer. Displays nautical infrastructure, facilities, and route networks for policymakers and water recreants.
• Watersportonderzoek (National Water Sports Research) Periodic national research product covering participation, behaviors, and economics of 14 distinct water sport and water recreation forms in the Netherlands, including custom regional reports such as the Maatwerkrapportage Fryslân.
• Carbon Footprint Research (Recreational Boating CO2 Emissions) Research output analyzing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from recreational vessels using a new calculation method, supporting sustainability policy and industry transition for cabin sailboats, cabin motorboats, and sloepen.
• Varen doe je Samen! (Safety Campaign) Multi-partner safety awareness campaign educating water sports enthusiasts on safe behavior on Dutch waterways, coordinated by Waterrecreatie Nederland together with 23 partner organizations under the 2025-2030 covenant.
• Natuurinclusief Ondernemen voor Jachthavens (Nature-inclusive Entrepreneurship Training) Training program for marinas and yacht harbor operators on nature-inclusive entrepreneurship, co-developed with IVN Natuureducatie, HISWA-RECRON, and Stichting KMVK to support sustainable marina operations.
• Kennisnetwerk Waterrecreatie Gemeenten (Municipal Water Recreation Network) Network of municipalities sharing knowledge, expertise, and experiences on water and water recreation. Waterrecreatie Nederland facilitates knowledge exchange, provides quickscans, and organizes network meetings and an annual Knowledge & Network Day; municipalities can join for basic participation or extra contribution options.
• Netwerk Waterrecreatie (Water Recreation Network) Coalition network of 14 water sports organizations collaborating on route networks, safety, and sustainability initiatives to deliver the foundation's Toekomstvisie Waterrecreatie 2025 ambitions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Water recreation sector generates €2.1 billion in annual turnover and provides employment for approximately 20,300 people
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DeltarescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Commissioned Waterrecreatie Nederland to analyze economic value of water recreation in IJsselmeergebied for European project (Future Lakes). Deltares is an independent Dutch research institute for delta, water and subsurface expertise.
• Varen doe je Samen! Partners (23 organizations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Safety awareness campaign with 23 partners including Rijkswaterstaat, 9 provinces, Police Netherlands, Unie van Waterschappen, Port of Amsterdam, Port of Rotterdam, KNRM, Reddingsbrigade, Koninklijke Binnenvaart Nederland, HISWA-RECRON, CBR, Sportvisunie, Watersportverbond, KNMC, and Netwerk Waterrecreatie. Partners support campaign through knowledge, networks, and communications for 2025-2030 covenant period.
• IVN NatuureducatieminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Nature education organization co-developing Natuurinclusief Ondernemen training program for marinas alongside Waterrecreatie Nederland, HISWA-RECRON and Stichting KMVK.
• Stichting KMVKminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Foundation collaborating on development of Natuurinclusief Ondernemen training program for marinas, focused on nature-inclusive entrepreneurship.
• Blue ProgressminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Consultancy firm contributing to Ontwikkelperspectief Waterrecreatie Oude IJsselstreek project, providing expertise on water sports development similar to their advisory work at other locations.
• Centre for Sustainability, Tourism and Transport (CSTT) - BUascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative research on CO2 emissions in recreational boating conducted by CSTT of Breda University of Applied Sciences in cooperation with WaterrecreatieNL and HISWA-RECRON. Study based on 819 valid survey responses.
• HISWA-RECRONcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Industry association for water sports and recreation businesses. Co-funded research on carbon footprint of recreational boating, collaborates on sustainable boating initiatives including HVO usage survey, and co-develops training programs like Natuurinclusief Ondernemen for marinas.
• Centre of Expertise for Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality (CELTH)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Knowledge institute contributing to research projects including infographic development for carbon footprint study on recreational boating.
• Trends & TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Research bureau collaborating on Watersportonderzoek 2024, the comprehensive national water sports research covering 14 water sport forms. Also collaborated on Maatwerkrapportage Fryslân.
• Vereniging Regio WaterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborating partner in Duurzaam Varen Midden-Delfland project, executing jointly with local governments, entrepreneurs, nature organizations and community initiatives under province Zuid-Holland subsidy.
• Province of Zuid-HollandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Major funding partner for multiple projects including Waterboulevard concept development, Duurzaam Sloepvaren Zuid-Holland, Duurzaam Varen Midden-Delfland, and Ervaar de Romeinse Limes heritage project.
• Province of Zuid-Holland, Regio Holland Rijnland, and Limes MunicipalitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership for Ervaar de Romeinse Limes project, with municipalities Alphen aan den Rijn, Bodegraven-Reeuwijk, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Voorschoten and Leiden collaborating on heritage water experience along Oude Rijn.
• European Partners (University of Leiden, VU Amsterdam) - EUWATHER ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013European Waterways Heritage project in collaboration with Italian, Spanish, and English regions to develop spatial database and tourist apps for smaller waterways cultural heritage.
• European Partners - Numericanal ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Transnational e-services strategy project with partners from Netherlands, France, Belgium, and UK focusing on ICT solutions for smaller waterways management.
• Network Inland Waterways Europe (NIWE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network collaboration focused on inland waterways. Waterrecreatie Nederland participates in this international network to share knowledge and coordinate on water recreation matters across European countries.
• Netwerk Waterrecreatie Members (KNRM, NOB, NKV, Reddingsbrigade, Scouting, Wadvaarders, KNSB, KNMC, HISWA, Watersportverbond, KNRB, VNM, Sportvisunie, Toerzeilers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner14 water sports organizations collaborating within Netwerk Waterrecreatie to realize ambitions of Toekomstvisie Waterrecreatie 2025. Partners represent sailing, motorboating, angling, kayaking, diving, rowing and other water sports. Fred Bloot serves as Chair of the network.
• Dutch Municipalities (via Kennisnetwerk Waterrecreatie Gemeenten)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of municipalities sharing knowledge, expertise and experiences on water and water recreation. Waterrecreatie Nederland facilitates knowledge exchange, provides quickscans, and organizes network meetings and annual Knowledge & Network Day.
• J. van der Sterren - Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism & Hospitality (CELTH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Advisory Commission (Commissie van Advies), providing strategic input on realizing Toekomstvisie Waterrecreatie 2025 ambitions.
• N. Scheijven - Seafar/NenseasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Business Director at Seafar/Nenseas, member of Advisory Commission contributing expertise on water recreation sector.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KNRM (Koninklijke Nederlandse Redding Maatschappij): Dutch maritime rescue organization, partner in the Varen doe je Samen! safety campaign. Comparable as a Dutch water safety-focused organization with overlapping interest in safe boating infrastructure, route networks, and policy coordination with provinces and Rijkswaterstaat.
• Watersportverbond: Dutch national federation for watersports, represented on the Waterrecreatie Nederland board. Comparable as a national coordinating body for water sports with overlapping network participants (sailing, rowing, surfing, diving) and similar public-private funding model.
• HISWA-RECRON: Dutch industry association for water sports and recreation businesses, co-located with Waterrecreatie Nederland in Leusden. Directly comparable as a sector umbrella organization with overlapping members (marinas, rental, trade) and co-development of projects such as Natuurinclusief Ondernemen and the carbon footprint study.
• Unie van Waterschappen: Dutch umbrella organization of the 21 regional water authorities. Directly comparable as a public-sector convener co-located with Waterrecreatie Nederland in The Hague, with overlapping board representation and shared interest in waterway management for recreation and water quality.
• Network Inland Waterways Europe (NIWE): European network for inland waterway development in which Waterrecreatie Nederland participates. Comparable as a cross-border knowledge and network organization focused on inland waterway recreation and tourism across European countries.
• Deltares: Independent Dutch applied research institute for water, subsurface, and delta expertise. Comparable as a publicly funded knowledge organization that commissions and produces research relevant to Dutch water recreation (e.g., the IJsselmeer economic value study) and shares overlapping client base in provinces and Rijkswaterstaat.

Regional players

• European Boating Industry (EBI): European-level association representing the recreational boating industry to EU institutions. Comparable as a multi-country umbrella body with policy, sustainability, and data functions that mirror Waterrecreatie Nederland's cross-sector convening activities at European scale.
• British Marine: UK trade association for the leisure marine industry, performing a sector coordination and policy representation role analogous to Waterrecreatie Nederland but for the UK boating market. Comparable as a public-facing umbrella body serving marinas, dealers, and boaters.
• Confédération des Industries Nautiques (FIN): French federation of the boating industry, representing manufacturers, equipment, services, and infrastructure. Comparable as a national umbrella organization for water sports and recreation in another European market with similar policy advocacy and data publication roles.

Emerging players

• Breda University of Applied Sciences - Centre for Sustainability, Tourism and Transport (CSTT): Dutch academic research centre collaborating with Waterrecreatie Nederland on CO2 emissions research for recreational boating. Comparable as a knowledge partner producing sector-relevant research and overlapping on water recreation policy and sustainability topics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waterrecreatie-nederland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Waterrecreatie Nederland