Kuopion Pursiseura ry
Kuopion Pursiseura ry is a traditional Finnish sailing and boating club founded in 1889, with its home harbour at Pirttiniemi on Lake Kallavesi near central Kuopio. The club runs three bases – Pirttiniemi, Iivarinsalo and Jänissalo – with more than 300 berths and winter storage places, the Luotsi activity centre and a villa designed by Lars Sonck. About 750 members and some 350 boats take part in training, junior sailing in Optimist and ILCA, keelboat racing and family events. A hallmark is the Kallavesj’ boat show held since 1964 with up to 20,000 visitors, alongside national and international regattas on the Saimaa waterway system.
History
Kuopion Pursiseura ry (KuoPS) was founded in 1889 and is among Finland’s long-established boating clubs. Its core mission is to promote water sports and community among sailors and motorboaters. Since 1964 the club has organised the Kallavesj’ fair in Kuopio Hall; the event draws up to 20,000 visitors and over 100 exhibitors each year and was named Boating Event of the Year 2024 by Suomen Purjehdus ja Veneily ry. The club is a member of Suomen Purjehdus ja Veneily ry and operates three bases: home harbour Pirttiniemi on Kallavesi near the city centre, the island base Iivarinsalo on southern Kallavesi, and Jänissalo on Suvasvesi along the Heinävesi route. Pirttiniemi offers more than 300 berths and winter storage places, guest berths, the Luotsi activity centre and a Lars Sonck villa. Today the club has about 750 members and some 350 registered boats – half keelboats and half motorboats. Activities include boating education, boat inspection, junior and dinghy sailing, Tuesday keelboat racing and major events such as Saimaa Ranking, Kallaveden kierto, YVT Regatta and Karvahattupurjehdus. National and international sailing competitions have been held in Kuopio over the years; in 2026 the Finnish championships in the 2.4mR class are planned among others.
Information
Facilities
Three bases (Pirttiniemi, Iivarinsalo, Jänissalo); over 300 berths and winter storage places; Luotsi activity centre; Lars Sonck villa; shore power, drinking water, pump-out, slipway, Hiab and mast crane; saunas and barbecue areas on the island bases
Activities
Sailing and boating training, junior sailing, Tuesday keelboat racing, Saimaa Ranking, Kallaveden kierto, YVT Regatta, Karvahattupurjehdus, boat inspection, family events, Kallavesj’ fair
Youth section
Active junior and dinghy section with Optimist and ILCA sailing schools, weekly practice from May to September, plus ranking and cadet regattas
Guest berths
Yes, contact the harbour master
Boating license training
Available: 1
Boater course and skipper course (theory and practice)