Eisenbahner-Segel-Club-Kirchmöser e.V.

History

In May 1951, the management of the VEB Walzwerke Kirchmöser decided to establish a sailing section on the leisure grounds at Lake Plauer. Founding members included Gerd Bretschneider (first section leader), Richard Hasselmann, Otto Partikel, Gerd Schleuß, Harald Tessin and Heinz Tiedke. Membership grew in 1952 and organised cruising trips between Havelberg and Potsdam began. By 1953, home-built boats included a twenty-footer with gaff rig, two fifteen-footers, three H-boats and two O-dinghies; the first pontoon pier was built in 1953 and a fleet of five Pirat boats was established. In 1954 the legendary 'green arbour' was built as the cultural centre until 1979. In 1955 the floating pier was replaced by a fixed jetty, the flagpole was erected and the first boat hall was built. In the 1960s new boat acquisitions boosted regatta activity; the team regatta around all islands in the lake district became a popular event. In 1965, the Lok and Stahl sections were organisational bases for the GDR championships on Lake Breitling. From 1967 the section organised regular children's and youth cruises. In the 1970s Kirchmöser became a district training centre; up to 50 children were trained on Optimist, Cadet, OK-Jolle and 420er boats. Jörg Saeger became GDR champion twice in the 420er class and vice-European champion in 1979. An aluminium hall for winter storage was built in 1971; construction of the sailing clubhouse began in 1978. The clubhouse was inaugurated on 4 December 1981. The Ahorn-Cup started in 1980 as a traditional regatta; Klaus Fischer led the section from 1983 to 2008. The jetty was rebuilt in 1983/84 and a multi-purpose hall was added. After reunification in 1990, an application to form a registered association was filed on 25 May; on 25 June 1990 the Segelverein Stahl Kirchmöser e.V. received certificate no. 39. The club joined the DSV and later the VDES as Eisenbahner-Segel-Club-Kirchmöser e.V. (ESCK). A new clubhouse and car parks were built in 1994/95; since 1991 ESCK has been a regional performance centre. In 2001 the club celebrated its 50th anniversary and acquired the watersports grounds from the German Railway Assets. The club website went online in 2002. In 2006 the jetty was reduced to the dimensions of the 1982 water law approval. Olrik Handrock became chairman in 2008, succeeding Klaus Fischer. Since 2010 the water supply and quay wall have been renovated; the club rebuilt a children's sailing group and purchased new training boats. The Ahorn-Cup is now a pure Optimist regatta held at the end of each season.

Boat types