Segelsällskapet Aros
Segelsällskapet Aros (SS Aros) is a traditional sailing club in Västerås on Lake Mälaren, founded in 1906. The club leases its own island Rågsäcken next to the Björnön nature reserve, with a sheltered harbour, long shore quays, pontoon jetties and the largest clubhouse on Lake Mälaren. The clubhouse offers a banquet hall, kitchen, veranda, TV room and overnight accommodation; the island also has a wood-fired sauna, barbecue areas, composting toilets and a junior jetty with Optimist dinghies. The programme includes regattas such as the Augustiseglingen and the joint Lördagsdubbeln with WSS, Tuesday practice races, an adult sailing school and a free junior sailing weekend. Keelboat racing and youth work have shaped the club for decades; in 2026 SS Aros celebrates its 120th anniversary on Rågsäcken.
History
Segelsällskapet Aros was founded in 1906 and has since been firmly rooted in the sailing scene of Västerås and western Lake Mälaren. In the early 1930s members built the clubhouse on Rågsäcken; it is regarded as the largest clubhouse on Lake Mälaren and a cultural asset worth preserving. In 1949 Sweden's first Star boat fleet was formed within Aros; in 1950 the club hosted the Swedish Star championships. Further milestones included the Skärgårdskryssarpokal in 1959, Olympic trials for the Soling class in 1972, the H-boat SM in 1990 and several SM events for Mälar boats from the 1980s onward. From the 1970s Aros organised Ridön Runt and the Västeråsregatta until interest in LYS and later SRS classes declined in the early 2000s. The Augustiseglingen started in 2017; in 2018 Aros initiated the Västra Mälarens Poängserie via the then Västmanlands Seglarförbund, reviving SRS racing in the region. Aros sailors have recorded multiple wins in the Gotland Runt and in the Mälar boat and Neptunkryssare classes; with fifteen Mälartrettior the club fields the largest fleet of that class in the country. The club island is leased from the City of Västerås and lies in Björnösundet beside the Björnön nature reserve. The centenary was marked with a celebration and jubilee book; in 2026 the 120th anniversary is again celebrated with a festivity on Rågsäcken. Today sheltered berths, modern pontoon facilities, junior work with Optimists and an active club community are at the centre of club life.
Information
Facilities
Club island Rågsäcken with sheltered harbour, long quays, pontoon jetties and power pedestals; largest clubhouse on Lake Mälaren with banquet hall, kitchen, veranda, fireplace, TV room, toilets and dormitories; junior jetty with boat store and Optimist dinghies; wood-fired sauna; barbecue areas and grill house; composting toilets for guests; island-warden's cabin; rowing boats and Buster XL motorboat for club use.
Activities
Open regattas (Augustiseglingen, DM/KM/SM for Mälar boats), Lördagsdubbeln with WSS, Tuesday practice races with VMHS, adult sailing school, junior sailing weekend, autumn squadron cruise, Midsummer and autumn festivals, clubhouse hire for members.
Youth section
Active junior section with junior jetty, boat house and three Optimist dinghies; annual two-day sailing camp (usually in June) where children learn to rig and sail; Optimists may be used freely on Rågsäcken during the season.
Parking
Parking on the mainland (e.g. Lövudden)
Guest berths
Yes, visiting boats welcome