Rauman Purjehdusseura ry
Rauman Purjehdusseura ry is Finland’s oldest Finnish-language sailing club, based in Rauma on the west coast. The club runs the home harbour and pavilion on Kuuskari island north of the city, the Petäjäs boatyard and the island base Äijänkari off Uusikaupunki. Members enjoy pontoons with 74 berths, saunas, boat storage and extensive winter storage. Active junior work with dinghy school from age eight, adult sailing courses and traditional regattas such as Rauman Matala and Rauma Sea Race shape the programme. Founded in 1879, the club is known for high-quality national and international race organising and offers members use of a club-owned H-boat.
History
Rauman Purjehdusseura, originally Segelförening i Raumo, held its first races in 1872; the founding date is 26 April 1879, when rules approval was sought from the emperor and senate. The club language was first Swedish and became permanently Finnish in 1906. The club was founded to organise summer racing; the Enskär–Valkeakari duel was famous, and after the war Hai boats were especially successful. Annual highlights include Rauman Matala since 1964, Rauma Sea Race since 1975 and the Raumanmeri championship since 1985. The pavilion was built in 1892 on Ruuhluoto, moved to Iso-Hakuni in 1898 and rebuilt on Kuuskari in 1982; the club’s own home harbour followed in 2010. The yard was at Kolmas Petäjäs from 1956 and at Toinen Petäjäs since 1980. Junior sailing began after the war; Optimists arrived in the 1960s, later also OK dinghy and Europe. In 2024 the club acquired its own H-boat; in 2025 it hosted the H-boat nationals and will host the H-boat worlds in 2029. For the 120th anniversary the chronicle “Purjehdus on juhlaa” by Pekka Lehmuskallio and Jarmo Salo was published.
Information
Facilities
Kuuskari pavilion and home harbour with 74 berths, two finger pontoons and breakwater with buoy moorings; saunas, club grounds and parking; Petäjäs yard with 144 shed places, outdoor storage, crane up to 12 t, mast crane, power and water; Äijänkari island base; club-owned H-boat for training and members.
Activities
Racing and cruising, junior dinghy school and evening training, adult sailing courses, boat inspections (katsastus), winter storage and yard work, club magazine Ahti/Ahtiainen, volunteer work and pavilion rental.
Youth section
Active youth section from age 8 with dinghy school and evening training Mon/Thu at 18:00 in Kuuskari; swimming ability required; advanced juniors in racing.
Parking
Yes, parking at the Kuuskari grounds