The Zeist Feeling of Ted Huijsmans
In 2025, we bid farewell to our swimming pool in Zeist. We won't let farewell to the KNZB pool go unnoticed. Hans Nieuwenburg wrote about 'the last time to Zeist' in early November, and Robin van Galen shared his Zeist feeling. In the second piece of the series 'The Zeist Feeling of', Ted Huijsmans shares his experiences in Zeist."
When I was twelve years old, I stepped foot in Zeist for the first time. As a young boy, I marveled at the great men who trained there. They were my role models, the athletes I looked up to. From that moment on, my journey began, a journey in which I went through all the youth programs of TeamNL with Zeist playing a central role.
The first time I walked into the Orange pool, is still vivid in my memory. The feeling of pride that swept over me is hard to describe. It was the moment I realized that my hard work was paying off. Receiving my first official orange swimsuit felt like a reward for all the efforts I had put in as a young athlete. And then the moment I found out I was selected for my first European Championships – one of the greatest milestones in my career.
Of course, it wasn't all highs. The road to the top is full of challenges. Zeist was the place where I not only celebrated successes but also went through deep valleys. Trainings that didn't go well, the disappointment of a failed qualification, or dealing with injuries – Zeist let me experience it all. Yet, it was there that I learned to be resilient and to persevere, no matter how tough it got.
The pool in Zeist is notorious. Everyone had something to criticize about it, but at the same time, it was the place where anything was possible. Where dreams were pursued and where I could develop myself as an athlete and as a person. It became a second home, an environment where I not only trained but also grew.
After all these years, it feels strange to say goodbye. Zeist was the place where I entered as a boy with big dreams and grew into an international athlete. It was special to see my own daughter sitting in the stands and realize how far I had come. The circle was complete: from the young talent looking up to his heroes, to the athlete who had the opportunity to be among them.
Now, after 15 years, we close this chapter. It marks the end of an era, but the memories of Zeist will stay with me forever. It was the place where dreams began and where they came true.
