Koninklijke Roei- en Zeilvereeniging 'De Maas'
Koninklijke Roei- en Zeilvereeniging De Maas is one of the largest rowing and sailing clubs in the Netherlands with around 2000 members and Rotterdam as its home port. The club sails and rows at several locations: the Sociëteit at Veerdam on the Nieuwe Maas, Kralingse Plas for sail training, rowing bases on the Rotte and at Plantagelaan, and a marina in Zierikzee for keel yachts. With its own large fleet including Optimists and Lasers, CWO sailing courses, youth programmes, regattas, the Rotte Rowing Competition and the historic Jugendstil clubhouse, De Maas combines watersports at all levels – from beginners to Olympic athletes such as Marieke Keijser. In 2026 the club founded in 1851 celebrates its 175th anniversary with Princess Beatrix attending.
History
Koninklijke Roei- en Zeilvereeniging De Maas was founded in 1851, making it one of the oldest watersports clubs in the Netherlands. The first clubhouse was at Willemskade, where the Wereldmuseum now stands; in 1885 the club moved to Katendrecht but had to relocate again due to Rotterdam harbour expansion. In 1908 the current Sociëteit building at Veerdam was completed in Jugendstil by architects Barend Hooijkaas jr. and Michiel Brinkman; it has been a national monument since 2000. Over generations De Maas grew into a centre for rowing and sailing in Rotterdam: thousands learned to sail here, and the club produced Olympic champions and offshore honour members including Conny van Rietschoten with the Flyer yachts. Today the club has about 2000 members, including roughly 600 rowers and 600 sailors, with sites at Kralingse Plas, the Rotte, Plantagelaan and Zierikzee. In 2026 De Maas marks its 175th anniversary; Princess Beatrix attended the celebration. The Sociëteit with its Great Hall, Serre, Flyer Room and terrace on the Maas remains the social heart of club life.
Information
Facilities
Sociëteit at Veerdam (Great Hall, Serre, Maas Room, Flyer Room, terrace on the Nieuwe Maas), sailing base Kralingse Plas, rowing bases Rotte (Prinsemolenpad) and Plantagelaan, marina Zierikzee, large club fleet of sail and rowing boats, boat sheds and booking system.
Activities
Sailing and rowing at all levels, CWO sailing courses, youth sailing, sail camps, regattas and internal competitions, Rotte Rowing Competition, coastal rowing, Maas Buiten Gaats cruises, Sociëteit events, member tables and international reciprocity.
Youth section
Active youth section with over 200 young sailors, Optimist and Laser training, CWO diplomas, ZZZ De Plas camps, Friday youth evenings and race training from age 7.