Watersportvereniging Papendrecht

History

Watersportvereniging Papendrecht was founded on 10 November 1953. Its beginnings were at the Balkengat (no longer extant) with the Pontonniershaven in the background; that harbour was dug around 1900 for the pontoon troops, and the club shed dates from 1928. According to old minutes the founders were C. Verdoorn, J. van der Peijll, C.S. de Voogd van der Straten, J.C. Buyzer and C. van den Berg. Plans for a marina at Slobbegors failed due to costs of 50,000 guilders. Alternatives such as Ketelplaat or Molenpolder were considered, but for a time the club remained at the Balkengat. In 1959 a draft constitution, house rules and harbour regulations were prepared; in 1960 the statutes were formalised and a club flag designed. In 1961 the raft at the Balkengat was extended and the chairman had the harbour spectacularly dredged. In the 1960s mooring fees and subscriptions rose. In 1966 the club was offered use of part of the Kooihaven for 1,000 guilders a year. In 1968 the Pontonniershaven was officially commissioned, followed a year later by a lifting mast. The harbour grew; in 1977 there were 425 members and a membership freeze was considered. Growing boats led to a 10-metre limit. The Technical Committee still maintains the harbour and has a crane to haul rafts ashore. In 1972 the first seniors' cruise was organised, later becoming an annual Biesbosch trip. Since 1976 the club magazine Waterk®ant has appeared every two months. In the 1980s youth sailing grew with KNWV support: theory and practice in Optimists on the Afgedamde Maas and later on the Kralingse Plas. The 25th anniversary in 1978 and the 30th and 40th jubilees were celebrated extensively. In winter 1997/1998 a major harbour renovation took place due to dike reinforcement; in September 1998 Mayor Tuijnman reopened the facility. On 14 November 2003 the 50th anniversary was celebrated. Today the club has well-kept facilities, an active board and around 320 members and donors.

Boat types