Wassersport-Verein Richterswil
Wassersport-Verein Richterswil (WVR) is a multi-sport watersports club on Lake Zurich in Richterswil and has brought together sailing, paddle/SUP, motorboating and Nautilus under one roof for more than 50 years. The club is located directly at Horn Richterswil and offers a clubroom, changing facilities and storage by the lake; members have access to club sailboats, SUPs and kayaks. An active youth group provides regular sailing training for children and teenagers, complemented by regattas and competitive sailing options. WVR is a member of Swiss Sailing and the Lake Zurich Sailing Association and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025.
History
Wassersport-Verein Richterswil was founded in January 1975 by nine watersports enthusiasts; the founding assembly took place on 28 April, when 16 participants elected a board. The aim was to organise regattas and remain open to further activities; Optimists were built for juniors under experienced guidance. On 9 April 1976 the first ordinary general meeting was held with 35 members; the club already had its own burgee and joined the Zurich Sailing Association a year later. In 1979 the sailing licence became compulsory on Lake Zurich; 21 members prepared internally and the club counted 45 active members. In 1980 WVR took on Surfclub Wädenswil as a subsection. In 1981 an extraordinary general meeting decided to join USY (today Swiss Sailing). From 1985 WVR took over management of the Shedhalle from canton and municipality to provide a clubroom and winter storage. In 1993 juniors received four dinghies; in 1997 a club Dyas became reality. In 1996 the International Dart Regatta was held as a major event off Horn. In 2015 the club celebrated its 40th anniversary. From 2019 a junior restart followed with a modern fleet of 16 Optimists and several Laser/ILCA dinghies. In 2023 WVR and the municipality of Richterswil signed a new contract for managing Shedhalle Horn. In 2025 the club celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Information
Facilities
Clubroom, changing facilities and storage directly by the lake at Horn Richterswil; management of Shedhalle Horn with equipment and changing rooms; public ramp and boat jetty in front of the clubroom; club sailboats, SUPs and kayaks/paddle craft for members; live webcams at the clubhouse and Alter Hafen.
Activities
Sailing, paddle/SUP, motorboating and Nautilus section; youth sailing and school sailing; club regattas including closing regatta and evening regatta; watersports festival, distance trips and Blue Ribbon; Big Paddle Challenge; cooperation with Swiss Sailing and the Lake Zurich Sailing Association.
Youth section
Active youth group with sailing courses for children and teenagers following J&S and Swiss Sailing guidelines. Training from April to October weekly 17:30–20:00, main evening Friday, beginners and school sailing usually on Wednesdays. Primarily Optimist and ILCA, plus Laser Vago; participation in regattas and competitive sailing possible.