Team Proboom wins NK Maasheggenvlechten

The team Proboom from Cuijk has emerged as the winner of the 18th Dutch Maasheggenvlechten championship. Some 4,000 people, including many families with young children, attended the championship on March 10, which was held for the second consecutive time in the vicinity of Portaal de Vilt (between Beugen and Oeffelt).

A record number of 57 teams had registered for the NK. This meant that a total of 250 braiders were at work. With these numbers, this championship is probably the largest hedge braiding event in (Western) Europe.
The battle for the coveted Golden Hip was eventually won by the team ProBoom from Cuijk consisting of captain Marcel Koot, Ton Hermanussen, Joep Hermanussen and Stef Vergeest. In second place was the team from Staatsbosbeheer 1. Team Mit d'n stroam mit (Slabox) finished third. In fourth and fifth place were Waterschap Limburg and team 3 from HAS den Bosch, respectively.

The Silver Crescent

Several years ago, the Grutters family provided a prize for the best grown braided hedge of the previous year. This Silver Crescent was awarded to father and son Nellissen from Venraij (team Berly Fleur). They braided the hedge that showed the best outgrowth on March 12, 2023.

The future of Maasheggen weaving

The future of Maasheggen weaving is also in good shape. Besides the student teams from Wageningen University, there was also a team from the University of Nijmegen this year. Hogeschool van Hall/Larenstein Velp had three teams delegated to Oeffelt. The HAS Den Bosch could not stay behind and was also represented by three teams. Even a student team from the Elzendaalcollege had practiced well in advance to be able to participate.

The 19th edition of the championship is scheduled for March 9, 2025.