SXK Seglarskola (Svenska Kryssarklubbens Seglarskola)
Stiftelsen Svenska Kryssarklubbens Seglarskola (SXK Seglarskola) is Sweden's oldest, largest and first sailing school of its kind, founded in 1957. Its home port has for decades been Nya Varvet in Västra Frölunda near Gothenburg, where storage and workshop are located at Vita Gaveln. Training takes place on the three traditional sailing ships Gratitude, Gratia and T/S Atlantica; sailing, seamanship and navigation are taught to young people and adults. The programme includes beginner and continuation courses for youth, courses for young adults and adults, and family sailing; in spring and autumn the ships can be chartered with crew. Volunteers maintain the historic vessels year-round; summer courses sail Scandinavian waters with possible excursions to Germany, Denmark, Norway, Stockholm and the British Isles.
History
Stiftelsen Svenska Kryssarklubbens Seglarskola was founded in 1957 and is regarded as Sweden's first, largest and oldest institution of its kind. The sailing school teaches sailing, seamanship and navigation to young people and adults on three school ships: Gratitude, Gratia and T/S Atlantica. The home port has for several decades been Nya Varvet; storage and workshop are at Vita Gaveln, with winter work from October to April. Administration is shared with SXK Västkustkretsen at Svarta Gaveln in Långedrag. Gratitude was built in 1903 in Porthleven as a sailing trawler and was one of about 4,000 cutters in England at that time. Gratia was built in 1900 on the Isle of Wight at H. Hansen & Co as a pleasure yacht named Bertha, changed names and owners several times (including Aziade, Blue Shadow, Cinderella) and joined the sailing school in 1964 through a gift from Malmö shipowner Einar Hansen; in the 1970s she was re-rigged as a ketch and converted for 18 youth trainees. In the 1970s Kjell Wollter recognised the need for another vessel, leading to Atlantica. For Gratia's 125th anniversary (built 1900), a major renovation project begins in 2026; in spring 2026 Gratia will lie at Strandvägen in Stockholm for charter periods.
Information
Facilities
Home port Nya Varvet in Västra Frölunda; storage, workshop and winter work at Vita Gaveln; three school ships Gratitude, Gratia and T/S Atlantica; shared administration with SXK Västkustkretsen at Svarta Gaveln, Långedrag.
Activities
Sailing courses for youth (beginner and continuation), young adults, adults and families; charter of the ships with crew in spring and autumn; work weekends and winter maintenance on the vessels; participation in Skutrace; presence at boat shows; Basic Safety training.
Youth section
Active youth courses: beginner and continuation courses for young people who have completed year six or seven, 200-metre swimming ability required; sailing on Gratitude and Gratia.