Rob Luijendijk

It’s fair to say that when you have worked in the superyacht industry as long as I have, you quickly lose count of the number of times you have been to Monaco. However something tells me, this next trip is not going to be one I’ll forget in hurry. I’ve been there by plane, train, car, helicopter and boat but never in all my years have I gone by bike. So why now? What could possibly make me want to cycle almost 1000 kilometres, take on the French Alps and some of Tour de France route and physically exhaust myself all before the Monaco Yacht Show has even started?

Ocean Conservation. Pure and simple. As part of the Amels and Damen Yachting London 2 Monaco 2022 team, I’ll be pedalling from Rotterdam to Monaco with every kilometre cycled aimed at raising awareness to protect our oceans. The oceans I myself love to sail my catamaran on, enjoy living surrounded by with the beautiful coast in Zeeland and that I have had the privilege to enjoy a career based around. The oceans and the life within them that at Damen Yachting, we believe we have a responsibility to protect. For a sustainable future, our livelihoods, our enjoyment and our children’s future. All the attention and funds we can raise with this event will go towards supporting just that. And let’s just say I’m not the youngest in the team so these kilometres are going to hurt but I truly believe it will be absolutely worth it. Any support you can show to this cause so close to my heart and that of our industry is gratefully received.