Bærum Seilforening
Bærum Seilforening is a traditional sailing club in the municipality of Bærum near Oslo, with roots dating back to 1921 and the motto of genuine sailing joy. The club is based on the Oslofjord and uses sites such as Sarbuvollen right by the pier, a function venue at Bruksveien on Snarøya, and its own island Ytre Vassholmen with a two-storey clubhouse, outdoor areas and a jetty. The programme includes regattas, sailing courses and club activities around Holtekilen and the Vestfjord. Historically the club is shaped by the predecessors Vestfjordens Seilforening and Seilerklubben Trim, as well as Olympic success of the Dragon crew with two gold medals in 1948 and 1952.
History
Bærum Seilforening stands in a long sailing tradition on the Bærum coast and promotes genuine sailing joy since 1921. Its history links the founding of a dedicated sailing association at Høvik after two private regattas – only nine men attended the first general meeting – with the founding of Vestfjordens Seilforening on Vassholmen while sailors waited for wind. Seilerklubben Trim and Vestfjordens Seilforening suspended all activity after the 1939 season when war broke out in Europe; Eystein Lage, elected new leader of Trim in autumn 1939, shut down club activity two weeks after the German invasion of Norway. The minutes of 23 April 1940 recorded that the club fully suspends its operations during the war. Under occupation, Nasjonal Samling tried to use sport for propaganda and to take over associations. Reichskommissar Joseph Terboven had a summer cabin near Plahtebukta and used Crown Prince Olav’s sailing boats; his many groundings off Sarbuvollen and around Torvøya are described in Bærum Seilforening’s 50th-anniversary book as both an irritation and a source of dark humour. After peace in 1945 the first peace regattas only began in autumn; in later years up to 100 boats started in Holtekilen, sometimes on the course at Vassholmen. At Vestfjorden’s spring regatta in 1946, 109 boats started, including Crown Prince Olav in his 6m and Princesses Ragnhild and Astrid. At the Olympic Games in Torquay 1948 and Helsinki 1952 the Dragon crew Thor Thorvaldsen, Haakon Barfod and Haakon Lie in “PAN” won Olympic gold twice for Norway – a central milestone in more than 100 years of Olympic sailors.
Information
Facilities
Function venues at Sarbuvollen (two floors, up to 70 guests, large kitchen, right by the pier) and Bruksveien on Snarøya (one floor, from 35 guests); own island Ytre Vassholmen in the Oslofjord with a two-storey clubhouse, large outdoor areas, jetty and sleeping space for 20 people.
Activities
Regattas and sailing courses; club news mentions among other events the Bærum Høstcup and league days for cruising and offshore sailors.
Parking
Yes, large parking at Sarbuvollen