Jacht Klub Boruta

History

The sailing section was founded in February 1966 at the youth organisation and the chemists’ trade unions of ZPB “Boruta” in Zgierz. Canoe trips on the Masurian Lakes took place as early as 1960 and 1961; popular sailing camps followed from 1963 to 1965. Initiators included Henryk Niedźwiedź, Olek Wielgosz and the section’s first commodore Bronisław Swat “Jacek”. In February 1966 the ZMS “Boruta” sailing section was registered with the regional sailing association in Łódź and offered annual recreation combined with training for sailor and yacht helmsman ranks. In spring 1966 two new Omegas were bought in Mikołajki; that summer a flotilla of six Omegas made the first Masurian cruise, mainly with apprentices from the works school. Further Omegas were built in the hangar at ul. Piaskowa 28 on the Bzura. In 1973 ZPB “Boruta” leased nearly one hectare of woodland in Nowy Duninów on the Włocławek Reservoir; sailors effectively ran the weekend centre and organised several youth camps each year. In the late 1980s members built a cabin yacht and the flagship Mak-707 “Cztery Wiatry”, later followed by Fleyer 620 “Fart” and “Samus”. In the early 1990s the works stopped funding leisure sites; sailors took over boats and camping cabins for a symbolic price. In 1991 the association Stowarzyszenie Miłośników Żeglarstwa – Jacht Klub “Boruta” was registered in Łódź. The Bzura hangar was purchased and the Duninów base was named “Swatówka” in honour of the first commodore. Today the club lists six cabin yachts and two open boats. Nearly two hundred sailors and helmsmen have been trained and holidays on the water organised for thousands of young people from Zgierz and the region. Together with MOPS Zgierz a children’s day has long been held in Nowy Duninów. In March 2026 a gala in Zgierz opened the jubilee year marking 60 years of the club.