Quick Wings Alkmaar was reported to be the only remaining pigeon association in Alkmaar, after the city once had five. The club has existed for 75 years and has 24 members, although its membership is ageing. Secretary Herman Meijer said there was hope of a 30th member, while his brother Cor has been president for 50 years.

Members described the appeal of training pigeons over progressively longer distances, reaching up to 1,000 or 1,300 kilometres, and watching them return home. Eighty-eight-year-old member Willem Raams said each return brought relief, regardless of whether a pigeon finished first or last.