The history of Gaastra begins in 1897, where the 22-year-old Douwe Gaastra sets up his sailmaking company in Sneek/The Netherlands with the ambition of making sailing faster as well as more competitive and efficent. In a short space of time, Gaastra then becomes a household name in the global world of sailing.

Theses days we celebrate the SneekWeek as the biggest sailing event held in European inland waters. The focus of the event is on sailing and its passionate participants, right from its spectacular start – the traditional naval pageant with hundreds of boats and a brilliant display of fireworks – up to the very last day of the competition.

SneekWeek is organized by the Royal Water Sports Association of Sneek (KWS) and draws thousands of visitors and participants each year. This years Gaastras limited collection of the SneekWeek is now available online. Check out the shirts for Men, Women and Juniors and visit the shop.

Are you ready to become Gaastra’s next Top Model? Together with Jackie (magazine) Gaastra started a scout for the new model for the Gaastra Spring Summer collection.

Do you have the body of Doutzen, the spirit of Heidi and the powerful eyes of Tyra? Than sign in right now and maybe we’ll invite you for a casting during the Sail Amsterdam (19-23 aug).
The winner of the contest will be the new face of Gaastra and will be a part in the next shoot in St. Tropez.
Conditions:
- Age: 18-28 year
- Minimum length: 1.72 meter
- clothing size: 36
- Benefit: model experience
- Models can only apply the contest in person, not trough an agent.
How?
To become Gaastra’s next top model, sign in now! (Gaastra Facebook)Upload your best photo and try to get the most votes. From the TOP 10 with the most votes we will choose a winner.

So…..this could be your change to start a famous top model carrier!

We proudly inform you about the latest news: Spain’s Crown Prince Felipe (3rd L) is seen aboard the yacht “CAM” at the start of the first day of the 29th Copa del Rey yacht race in Palma de Mallorca. Spain’s Queen Sofia supports him during the start in the Gaastra Copa del Rey Collection!
Gaastra is the official clothing supplier for the second year of the Copa del Rey Regatta which is organized by Royal Yacht Club in Palma de Mallorca.
As we told you Gaastra presents the limited edition “Copa del Rey Collection 2010”, which includes garments for men, women and children.
The photo of Queen Sofia is here.

We are looking forward to the biggest sailing competition in Spain: the Copa del Rey. It’s held in the waters of the bay of Palma de Mallorca. With over 100 sailing yachts from 16 different countries in three different fleets: TP52, IMS and Cruiser, it has become a top-level fixture on the international calendar. From the 1^st to the 8^th of August, a great many participants will yet again compete for the first place – including the King and Prince of Spain, the King of Norway and a great many yachtsmen from the America’s Cup competition, Volvo and Olympic competitions such as Russel Coutts, Ian Barker, Paul Cayard and Iker Martinez.
The very first edition was held in 1982 with only 50 boats taking part. As you can see – over the years (29^th edition this year) and with the support of the royal family of Spain the Copa del Rey has become one of the major cruiser class regattas in the Mediterranean Sea.
The new Copa del Rey Polos for Men and Women are available in our shop – enjoy!

Have you seen what happened at the international well-known German Tennis Tournament, the German Open, in Hamburg/Rothenbaum. Michael Stich, the successful german tennis player, was wearing a polo shirt of the St-Tropez collection of Gaastra when he met Boris Becker at the Court. Stich, who is best remembered for winning at Wimbledon, owns a Charity trust which supports children infected by HIV. He also brought the Drachenboat Cup to Germany where the Gaastra team ended second out of sixteen teams. This was a battle which took place in Hamburg at the 11th of June 2010. We can be curious who’ll be the next celeb wearing Gaastra. The picture with Michael Stich wearing Gaastra you will find here.

Gaastra_Voiles_de_St_Tropez

Did you know that it all started with a bet in 1981? Two yacht owners met in the Club 55 in St-Tropez and after a few drinks the question came up whose boat was faster. The next day they started off with their race – and the beginning of today’s most spectacular regatta was born. They named it after the buoy they had to hit: La Nioulargue. But years later a tragic death of participating sailor men led to the end of this upcoming event. Time passed by and peopled started to miss their beloved regatta so the city of St-Tropez decided to host an alternative regatta named “Les Voiles de St. Tropez”. The popularity rose again and down to the present day the “Les Voiles de St. Tropez” marks the seasonal ending of the Mediterranean regatta season.
Become a part of this nautical event and shop the new VDST Collection for MEN, WOMEN and JUNIORS and show up in St-Tropez from the 27th September to the 3rd of October. Hope to see you there!

Gaastra_SAIL_Amsterdam

After 5 years the biggest public event of the Netherlands is back! From the 19th to the 23rd of august visitors will see impressive fleet of tall ships from all over the world. More than 500 sailing heritage ships and special replica`s will display nautical history on the spectacular Sail-In Parade! Gaastra E-Store is proud to present this year´s  SAIL AMSTERDAM Collection 2010. But there is more to look forward …

Win an overnight stay in Amsterdam

for the SAIL 2010!

If you would like to feel the nautical impact of this adventurous event by yourself its best to go there! With Gaastra E-Store and Shortstay Amsterdam you can win 1 of 3 exclusive overnight stays for the SAIL AMSTERDAM 2010!

Just click and answer the following question…

Good luck!

Your Gaastra E-Store Team

Gaastra_ProCollection2010

For technical sailing gear Gaastra Pro is the best guarantee you can have; waterproof gear developed by professional sailors and tested under racing conditions. The collection has been skillfully put together to withstand all weather conditions whether it be during on-shore pursuits or transatlantic voyages. The GX-01 collection includes an outstanding waterproof benchmark feature equivalent to a water column of 20,000 mm and has been designed right down to the smallest detail to ensure comfort and protection under the most extreme sailing conditions. With Bemis tapeused as garment finishing, Gaastra Pro guarantees that wind and water wil l not hinder your sailing performance.

Enter the world of professional sailing now!

The garment info short cuts:

• TORAY: Waterproof breathable fabric that offers high performance while keeping water out and allowing perspiration to escape.

• BEMIS: A thermoplastic adhesive film applied to sewn seams to prevent water and wind penetration.

• riri zippers: These zippers will keep you dry and comfortable so you can concentrate on your performance.

• IBQ: This highly durable Kevlar reinforced fabric offers comfort and protection.

The stops on the Caribbean Challenge St. Lucia, St. Barth and St. Thomas are probably one of the most beautiful places.  Therefor it is not far-fetched that the Caribbean Challenge Summer Collection is influences by these colorful, adventurous and nautical impressions. Enter into this caribbean world and enjoy the collection for Juniors, Men and Women.

The new PRO Collection is build in a proficient way with a result all weather conditions can be concured from on-shore pursuits to transatlantic voyages. The evolution of the GX-01 collection features an outstanding waterproof benchmark equivalent to a water column of 20,000 mm (Toray) and has been designed down to the smallest detail to ensure comfort and protection during the most extreme sailing conditions. With the use of Bemis tape as garment finishing GAASTRA PRO guarantees wind and water will not obstruct your sailing performance.

The top 4 parameters

- riri zippers

- Toray: Waterproof breathable fabric

- IBQ Kevlar reinforcement

- Bemis seamtape: Preventing seams from leaking water,  avoiding wind to come trough