Segler-Vereinigung Heidelberg 1932 e.V. (SVH)
Segler-Vereinigung Heidelberg 1932 e.V. (SVH) is a traditional sailing club with a marina in the heart of Heidelberg on the River Neckar. The club operates two piers with 28 wet and 16 dry berths, shared club boats, a rustic clubhouse with a regulars’ table and kitchenette, plus locker rooms and shower facilities. An active youth section of about 25 junior sailors trains in the Rookies, Neckarenten and Neckarfoiler groups on Optimist, Laser Pico, Open Bic, ILCA and 420; from age 14, preparation for the official sailing recreational craft licence is possible. Adult members may use club boats after clearance, take part in Thursday regattas and the annual open Heidelberg city championship, and enjoy club evenings. Since its founding in 1932 and the post-war restart after 1947, the harbour near Theodor-Heuss Bridge and the castle backdrop have shaped the club’s character.
History
After informal gatherings of sailing enthusiasts in 1928 and 1929, a small group of committed sailors held a preliminary meeting in August 1932 at the Schlossquell brewery, leading to the founding assembly in September 1932 at the Amtsstüble in Kettengasse. The choice of the word “Vereinigung” rather than “Verein” still matches members’ self-image today. The 1934 membership list already recorded 33 members, 13 of them with a sailing licence. The first boat harbour was at the Wasserschachtel by the thermal baths; boats were moored to piles. Early classes included touring dinghies, O-Jolle boats and the lugger-rigged Neckar dinghy. In 1935 a wooden hut was built and a winter store was rented at the old goods station. The Second World War interrupted sailing; in 1940 pleasure craft were banned from the Neckar. On 21 May 1947 a re-founding assembly approved by the American military government took place; the boathouse and harbour were initially seized. From 1948 the SVH rented a pier at the Blumsche open-air pool; ten boats were launched that summer. The first post-war regatta was held on 18 September 1949, and the SVH joined the sailing working committee, forerunner of the German Sailing Federation. In 1965 the SVH bought the pier installation and obtained water rights for km 23.890 to 24.100. In the mid-1970s a proper meeting room was created for the first time; in 1980 the association had 97 members. Regatta sailing featured classes such as Finn-Dinghy, Pirat, Korsar, Zugvogel and Flying Dutchman as well as yardstick racing. In 1982 the SVH celebrated its 50th anniversary on the passenger vessel MS Alt Heidelberg. In the early 1990s the old club facilities were unsafe; in 1995 the city of Heidelberg launched a 5.3-million project for renovation. On 27 June 1998 the Lord Mayor handed over the keys to the new club rooms. Since then club life has flourished in the new premises, and a new generation of young members is growing into the structures.
Information
Youth section
Active youth section with about 25 junior sailors in the Rookies, Neckarenten and Neckarfoiler groups; training on Optimist, Laser Pico, Open Bic, ILCA and 420; youth licence and preparation for the sailing recreational craft licence from age 14; training costs included in annual fees; currently a waiting list.
Parking
Yes, above the harbour (partly charged)
Guest berths
Yes, often spaces for motorboat guests
Boating license training
Available: 1
Preparation from age 14 (youth); adult taster courses are not offered