Mayor Stemerdink Presents a Royal Honor to Mr. Gert Jan Pater

On Monday, September 19, Mayor Nadine Stemerdink presented a royal decoration to Mr. G.J. Pater. The ceremony took place at Het Wedde swimming pool in Voorschoten.

Mr. Pater started out as an assistant at the swimming pool when he was twelve. He later earned his swimming instructor certifications and became qualified to teach swimming. He is the longest-serving instructor at the “Eerste Voorschotense Zwemvereniging.” In addition to teaching swimming lessons, he has also spearheaded efforts to promote underwater education. To this end, he established contact with the Dutch Underwater Sports Association. Within the club, he is the leading expert on snorkeling, and he shares this expertise with his fellow instructors.

Mr. Pater was a member of the youth committee at the swimming club, where all sorts of activities were organized for the young members. He can still be found at the pool every Monday evening. In the nearly 50 years he has been teaching swimming, he has helped many children, teenagers, and adults discover the joy of swimming and motivated them to keep swimming and staying active.

In addition, Mr. Pater has been supporting the Voorschoten Four-Day Night Walk for over 35 years. Among other things, he serves as a traffic director, crossing assistant, and marshal.

Mr. Pater is being honored as a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau.