A young man with a dream
When 22-year-old Douwe Gaastra founded his sailmaking business in Sneek, Friesland, in 1897, his ambition was to sail faster and further – and to reinvent the centuries-old Dutch tradition of world-class quality and craftsmanship. That was more than a century ago, and since then Gaastra has developed into a stylish and functional lifestyle brand that enjoys international renown.
Douwe Gaastra was not only young and entrepreneurial, but also exceptionally ambitious. He wanted to make sailing not only faster, but also more competitive and efficient. As a result, Gaastra quickly became a household name in the international sailing world. Douwe Gaastra lost his heart to the sea and devoted himself to producing the best sailing clothing.
Gaastra was founded in the prosperous trading town of Sneek in the Dutch province of Friesland, which is known for its sailing history dating back to the 16th century. The town was an important trading port and home to many shipbuilders and sailors. Sneek's most famous landmark is the water gate, built around 1492. It originally served as a watchtower to protect the city from enemy ships, but also as a lighthouse to guide ships into the harbour.
Combined with Sneek's rich sailing history and Douwe Gaastra's passion for handmade sails and the sailing lifestyle, the Sneker Waterpoort became our trademark, of which we are still very proud today.
Sneek Hoogend 1896–1925 / Sneek, Kleinzand – Sailmaking and rope trade by Douwe Gaastra, 1925–1935
The GAASTRA logo
Sneek is located in close proximity to the Frisian lakes, including the Sneekermeer, and is internationally renowned for its canals and water sports. Sneek was officially granted city status in 1456, marking the beginning of a golden age as a trading city that lasted for almost a century. In 1492, construction began on a ring of fortifications and a city wall, making Sneek the only walled city in Friesland at that time.
The original water gate, which was part of the city wall, still exists today and is not only symbolic of Sneek, but also of the mentality of this city, which is particularly fond of sailing and entrepreneurship. We are proud that the water gate is now the unique symbol of our GAASTRA International Sportswear brand.
Long story short:
1897
The story of GAASTRA begins in 1897 in Sneek, Netherlands. At just 22 years old, Douwe GAASTRA founded a sail-making workshop with a clear vision: to make sails more durable, more powerful, and more efficient. Within just a few years, GAASTRA evolved into an internationally respected name in the world of sailing.
1970 -1990
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, GAASTRA established itself as one of the defining brands within the international sailing and windsurfing scene. Numerous elite athletes – including Jill Boyer, Robby Naish, Pete Cabrinha, and Frank Maass – won major international titles using GAASTRA equipment, significantly strengthening the brand’s sporting credibility and innovative reputation.
1996
With the launch of the two fashion lines GAASTRA Pro and GAASTRA Sportswear, the brand is consistently expanding its portfolio. While GAASTRA Pro develops functional high-performance clothing for professional use, GAASTRA Sportswear translates its nautical DNA into a high-quality, contemporary lifestyle collection for the first time.
2000
Since 2000, GAASTRA has been part of McGregor Fashion Group B.V., a European premium fashion group. The focus lies on design, marketing, and international distribution of high-quality women’s, men’s, and children’s apparel. Within the group, McGregor and GAASTRA are among the core brands.
2005
GAASTRA became the official sponsor of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, one of the most prestigious sailing events worldwide. Every year, nearly 300 yachts – from classic wooden boats to cutting-edge high-performance racing yachts – transform the Bay of Saint-Tropez into a stage for maritime lifestyle.
2010
By sponsoring the regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth, GAASTRA further underlined its international orientation and its close connection to iconic sailing destinations. The brand increasingly positioned itself as an authentic companion to a sophisticated sailing culture – at the intersection of competition, community, and lifestyle.GAASTRA successfully made the leap into the European fashion world, moving from the coastline into metropolitan centers.
2012 – 2015
During this period, GAASTRA strategically expanded its engagement in international regatta sailing and strengthened its presence in Europe’s most important sailing destinations. Off the coast of Palma de Mallorca, a central hub for these activities emerged: the Super Yacht Cup Palma and the Copa del Rey – two of the most prestigious and exclusive regattas in the European and international racing calendar– are held here. Both events stand for sporting excellence, an international field of competitors, and the highest nautical standards.At the historic Real Club Náutico de Palma, this presence was complemented by a dedicated store showcasing and retailing selected GAASTRA collections – precisely where regatta sport, club culture, and maritime lifestyle converge. At the same time, the classic 12-metre racing yachts (12mR Class) TRIVIA and CINTRA became integral elements of the brand’s communication. Through this fusion of regatta sport, maritime history, and timeless elegance, GAASTRA shaped a consistent and emotionally charged brand narrative that seamlessly united performance, heritage, and style.
2016 – 2017
As the official fashion partner of Kieler Woche – the world’s largest sailing event – GAASTRA consolidated its position within the international regatta calendar and reached a broad, brand-affine audience at the intersection of elite sport and maritime lifestyle.
2017 – 2024
In a challenging global economic environment – exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic – the GAASTRA brand is deliberately focusing on reorientation. These years represent a time of reflection and strategic alignment, with a clear focus on brand identity, product relevance and future viability.
2026
GAASTRA Sportswear opens a new chapter. Under the leadership of the Clinton Fashion Group, a clearly defined international course is being set. The headquarters in Hoppegarten near Berlin combines contemporary brand management with over three decades of experience in the international fashion and retail industry – with the ambition of repositioning GAASTRA as a modern maritime lifestyle brand.
Sailing embodies the values of the people of Friesland, the spiritual home of GAASTRA, as well as the entrepreneurial pioneering spirit that prevailed there when the brand was founded. It stands for a refreshing ‘can-do’ mentality that resolutely seizes the day from the first ray of sunshine.
GAASTRA translates its rich history into fashionable, contemporary products. We combine the functional and emotional sides of sailing and transform them into clothing that is suitable for any moment and any place – out of love for the water and for detail.
