The Ooldies is originally a rowing team that has been an official association since March 6, 1996. They consist of a group of mostly over-50s with a good sense of style. Humor, uniformity and loyalty are of paramount importance to them. The Original Ooldy is a more than 80-year-old sloop that was decommissioned in 2013. The current “Ooldy” is a motor sloop owned by Marina Oolderhuuske, but made available to the Ooldies.
Many Ooldies have traditionally had a love of water. Some through their past as Sea Scouts, others through their service in the Navy, as sailors or marine engineers. The goal of the Ooldies is to promote a love of recreational water sports and all things related.
Every first Sunday of the month, the Ooldies go on a sailing trip. The men provide much conviviality, fun conversation, accordion music, singing and sometimes a good joke. Together they enjoy a snack and a drink on the motorized sloop “the Ooldy.” In addition to the monthly sailing trip, from April to November, the Ooldies also regularly participate in events. This year, for example, they are going along to Sail Amsterdam. Every year they sail with the children of the children's holiday work in Herten and at the end of September they go with the men to Friesland for 3 days to sail on a clipper.
The Ooldies can be recognized by the uniforms with the Roermond city colors. In these, blue and white predominate and are largely derived from the sailor uniforms of the last century. The sailor hat and the blue and white tie they wear are distinctive elements of their uniforms. In addition, they wear a white uniform shirt with navy blue pants over it. During the winter months, the uniforms are temporarily put away, but as soon as spring begins, the cap goes back on the sailor's cap.
Previously the group consisted of 17 men, but due to various circumstances the group now consists of only 9 Ooldies. The youngest member is currently in his early sixties. The Ooldies are looking for new, younger members to join them on the sailing trips. There is still plenty of room aboard the Ooldy for men as young as 40.