Hello

Let me introduce myself. I'm Johan Ceulemans, living together with Wendy and proud father of two daughters Yana and Hanne. Here no dogs or cats, but pigeons. I have got the "microbe" of my grandfather. After the war he was a passionate short distance racer. When I became interested in pigeons, he was no longer racing. He only had some birds for fun. It was he who learned me this "craft". After a while, I took over his birds.

In 1990, I became a member of a pigeon club in Kalmthout and started to race on the short distances. I was assisted in council and action by Lucien Cas. No major performances were achieved. The next years - due to university - I had less time available for my hobby. After some years I decided to try my luck on the mid long distances (± 500 km). Prices were played, but the pigeons did not perform constant. Probably the loft (lot of moisture) was not ideal for the birds.

In 2005 I ran into the love of my live. Spring 2006, we bought a house in Essen, near Roosendaal. Only the best pigeons came along to the breeding loft in Essen. In September the first young birds were born. Since only long distance races could interest me, some pigeons of Jimmy Brands found place in my new breeding loft. During the winter this loft was completed with some hens from different pigeoneers (A.P. Overwater, Marco Meijer, ...).

The actual start dates back to 2007. The first year that young pigeons were grown and tutored. The "September six" were tested heavily. Some were basketed on Bordeaux and Sint Vincent, with results! To be honest, for me this is not a normal flight programme. This you will see further on this site. Nevertheless their young age, they did well and could all overwinter. In 2008, it was the first time I started with "normal" widowers. The results you can find under "Results".

Racing season 2009 made me realize that racing the pigeons is difficult to combine with growing children. Pigeons need to train, I've to basket them and clock them during weekends. This was to much and we decided to reduce the amount of races. In 2010 I’ll only participate in some races, still prefering long distance. For this reason most of the long distance pigeons were “relocated” to other lofts. Also only a few of my current widowers could stay and will be raced in the next years.

Please take a look at my site and feel free to comment.

Greetings

Johan