Some mornings just feel different. You wake up knowing that something special is about to happen. Saturday, March 29 was one of those mornings. While most people were easing into their weekend with coffee and a croissant, I was already standing at the loft, heart pounding with anticipation.
Why? Because saturday marked the very first training flight of the 2025 pigeon racing season.
And this wasn't just any flight. It was the official debut of my brand-new team: six young pigeons, all brothers and sisters from the same pair. They had never been in a basket, never seen the inside of a truck. Fresh minds, strong wings, and one shared ambition:
To compete in the ultimate race — Barcelona.
Meet the Future of Long-Distance Pigeon Racing
Say hello to Team Pigeon Boss:
- ORION (NL.24-8362452)
- STELLAR (NL.24-8362453)
- GALAXY (NL.24-8362454)
- ECLIPS (NL.24-8362455)
- COMET (NL.24-8362456)
- CELESTE (NL.24-8362457)
Sounds like a space crew? That’s how it felt. Because no matter how often you race, that first time loading them into the truck always hits differently. It’s like sending your kids to school for the first time: Will they find their way back? Will they be okay out there?
Training Flight from Roosendaal – 25,650 Birds in the Air
The birds were released in Roosendaal at 08:30, along with 25,650 others from Section 5 "Zuid-Holland". The weather? Clear skies, bright sun, a crisp northerly wind blowing at 12 km/h, and a cool 8°C — ideal conditions for a short flight.
Back home, I waited. And waited.
Meanwhile, the feed remains simple: 100% barley. No extras. Until these birds start flying longer than two hours, I keep it clean and basic.
First Arrivals: Excitement and Stress in the Air
At 09:28, three pigeons appeared above the loft. My heart skipped a beat. But instead of dropping straight in, they circled the sky for several minutes — stressed, unsure, and overwhelmed by the new experience.
Finally, the first bird clocked in at 09:31:52 — and it turned out to be the youngest of the team. The last one to arrive? The oldest. Go figure. But most importantly, all six returned safely. Mission accomplished.
A Promising Result in the Marathon Pool
At our local club "Het Westen", we run a separate classification for marathon pigeons, which I think is a fantastic initiative. Let’s face it — birds like mine aren’t going to outrun sprinting machines from top fliers like Combrink & van der Heijden, Peet van Mullen, or Cees Verwolf.
In the Marathon Pool, three of my six birds placed:
- 🥉 8th place (Celeste)
- 🥉 9th place (Comet)
- 🥉 13th place (Stellar)
For a first training race? I’ll take it.
Eyes on the Prize: Barcelona 2027
Once the excitement settled and the last bird had landed, I closed the loft with a smile. This was just step one. The real journey begins now.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll build, train, refine. This family of six — all siblings — will grow stronger, smarter, and more confident. The ultimate goal? To have them ready and worthy to compete in the legendary Barcelona race.
Final Thoughts from The Real Pigeon Boss
I’m proud. Proud of my birds. Proud of my system. And proud of the fact that PigeonBoss is alive, flying, and focused.
This is just the beginning.
Stay tuned — and remember:
"Champions are born in the basket, but they are made at home."
See you next week,
Jan de Wijs
The Real Pigeon Boss 🐦💨
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