Heinolan Pursiseura ry
Heinolan Pursiseura ry (HeiPs) is a Finnish sailing and boating club based in Heinola, founded in 1959 and a member of Suomen Purjehdus ja Veneily ry. The home harbour with pontoons is on Heinäsaari; further bases are on Vasikkasaari and Kalliosaari on southern Lake Päijänne, plus winter storage on Hevossaari. Members receive harbour, base and winter-storage services at reasonable rates, including boat inspection and club life covering sailing, motorboating and diving. The club has about 200 members and traditionally organises races such as the Etelä-Päijänne Ranking regatta and participates in Päijännepurjehdus; youth and club activities are part of the programme.
History
Heinolan Pursiseura ry was founded in 1959 and is a member of Suomen Purjehdus ja Veneily ry. The club promotes responsible boating with respect for nature and the environment, seamanship, safety and competitive sport. In 1992 the diving section joined after enthusiasts founded the first diving club in Heinola; founders included Tommi Gustafsson, Timo Utriainen, Vesa Jäntti, Jari Hämäläinen, Petri Mussalo and Pekka Salo. The diving section now has about 30 members. From 2011 a club-wide safety plan has been in force; bases may only be used by inspected boats. For the 50th anniversary the club history “Historia HeiPs 1959–2009” was published, later followed by 60th-anniversary celebrations. Traditional highlights include hosting an EPR race (Korea-Varpunen) on southern Päijänne, participation in Päijännepurjehdus since it began in 1973, and since 2022 the festive boat parade (Juhlavene kavalkadi) during Heinola’s Venetian festivities. The member magazine Reimari is published annually.
Information
Facilities
Home harbour Heinäsaari with pontoon (Kananiitty bay, camera surveillance), bases Vasikkasaari and Kalliosaari with main building, sauna and barbecue shelter, winter storage Hevossaari Satamatie 8
Activities
Sailing, motorboating, diving, boat inspection, regattas (EPR, Päijännepurjehdus), club events, flag raising and lowering
Youth section
Youth membership under 19; junior activities and a junior safety plan are in place
Guest berths
Yes, 15 Euro/boat/day