Haminan Pursiseura ry
Haminan Pursiseura ry is a traditional sailing club in Hamina on Finland's Baltic coast, based on the island of Pieni Vuohisaari off Tervasaari. The club offers about 50 berths with lighting, water and electricity as well as a sauna, grill hut and a historic club pavilion. Active youth development with Optimist, ILCA and H-Boat training, a children's sailing school and regular regattas shape the programme. Founded in 1882, HPS ranks among Finland's oldest yacht clubs and offers members cruising and racing in the Kymenlaakso region.
History
The founding date of Haminan Pursiseura is taken as 13 August 1882, derived from a race in Hamina Bay with 32 boats. By that date HPS is the oldest sports club in Kymenlaakso and the eighth-oldest yacht club in Finland. Cooperation with Kotka sailors was officially confirmed on 15 March 1889 as Fredrikshamn–Kotka Segelförening; in 1901 separate clubs were founded in both towns, and in 1927 the club received its present name. In 1894 the club leased Pikku Vuohisaari and built the first pavilion the same year; after a fire in December 1908 the new pavilion was inaugurated on 4 July 1909. The pavilion was extensively renovated in 2003–2007 and gained a terrace in 2009. Club catering was members-only until 1963, then opened to the public and has been run by an external tenant since 1986. Membership has recently been slightly over 300, including about 40 juniors. The youth section began in the early 1960s with the Vikla fleet boom; highlights include the 1973 Vikla junior world championship. Since 1975 the H-Boat established fibreglass keelboats; Optimist remains the central junior boat. Regattas such as the Trio Cup (since 1907) still define club life.
Information
Facilities
Base on Pieni Vuohisaari with about 50 berths, lighting, water and power at the pontoons, sauna, grill hut, historic club pavilion (up to 70 people) and transfer by the club boat Kilipukki.
Activities
Racing and club races, junior and adult training, children's sailing school, cruising, Thursday sauna for members, pavilion hire and participation in the Trio Cup and Lightning Ranking.
Youth section
Active youth section with Optimist, Zoom and ILCA training, children's sailing school and ranking events; SPV Eastern region.
Parking
Yes, Tervasaari parking
Guest berths
Yes, guest berths available