Spuitbal was an annual recurring event organised by the Aalten Fire Brigade from 1981 to 2016. Each year, this water-filled spectacle attracted many participants and spectators.
Game Setup
In Spuitbal, two teams of six people competed against each other. Each team operated three fire hoses and tried to push a large ball into the opponents’ goal using powerful jets of water. Each hose was operated by a pair: the front player aimed the jet at the ball, while the rear player had to ensure there were no kinks in the hose. The team that scored the most goals in six minutes won.
In the early years, the Spuitbal tournament was organised at various locations, including at De Ahof. In later years, the event took place at Camping Lansbulten on the Eskesweg. The necessary water was pumped from the nearby stream.
In 2008, no fewer than six women’s teams and thirty men’s teams took part. Many teams returned every year, such as De Flippers, De Pimpels, De Pollekes, Atlantic, Schiller, ’t Noorden, and Jong Gelre.
The 36th (and, as of yet, final) edition took place in 2016. In 2017, the event was cancelled due to insufficient interest, and it has not returned since.
Video
On YouTube, various videos can be found of Spuitbal in Aalten, such as the video below from Jong Gelre from 2012.