Köthener Segelclub e.V.
Köthener Segelclub e.V. is a traditional Elbe sailing club whose home waters are at Aken on the Elbe (Elbe km 276.6), where the club was established in 1960. It operates a sheltered pontoon berth in a groyne field with aluminium floats and larch decking, a slipway and a covered winter storage facility for around ten boats on the club premises. Sailing focuses on dinghies and day-sailers up to a maximum of 8 m length, 2.5 m beam and 0.8 m draft; the programme includes day and weekend trips, multi-week voyages upstream and downstream on the Elbe and participation in the cruising competition of the Saxony-Anhalt regional sailing association. The club emphasises community sailing in a natural Elbe environment, nature conservation and relaxed cruising rather than classic regatta racing. The registered office is in Köthen (Anhalt); the club is a member of the German Sailing Association and the state sailing federation.
History
The history of Köthener Segelclub is closely linked to the Elbe as a sailing area. The river has served as a transport route since ancient times; after the Second World War, sailing developed along the Elbe from the Czech Republic to Hamburg as a popular leisure activity. In 1960 a small club settled in Aken on the Elbe at km 276.6 to enjoy the region's outstanding natural sports venue. The home area around Aken offers roughly 18 km upstream and downstream free of bridges for day and weekend trips; with westerly winds from force 2–3 Beaufort the Elbe can be sailed upstream, while downstream progress is possible even without wind. The groyne fields between the groynes provide sheltered moorings. The current pontoon, built from seawater-resistant aluminium floats and larch decking, replaced a worn and maintenance-intensive predecessor in 2000; repair effort has since remained minimal. The berth is operated annually from 1 April to 31 October, erected in spring and dismantled at the end of October. The facility includes a club-owned slipway. A covered winter storage facility nearby has been modernised in recent years. In sporting terms the club has traditionally performed strongly in the Saxony-Anhalt regional cruising competition, regularly achieving wins and top placings in individual and club rankings.
Information
Facilities
Club-owned pontoon berth in a sheltered groyne field between two groyne heads, slipway for dinghies, day-sailers and small cruisers, dry storage for smaller dinghies on club grounds, covered winter storage for approx. 10 boats (max. approx. 8 m x 2.5 m x 0.8 m), seasonal berth operation from 1 April to 31 October
Activities
Individual and group sailing of various boat classes, day and weekend trips on the Elbe, multi-week holiday voyages to the Mecklenburg Lake District, upstream to Czech sailing areas and downstream to coastal waters of the Baltic and North Sea as well as to Denmark and the Netherlands, participation in the Saxony-Anhalt regional cruising competition, meetings with neighbouring clubs, opening and closing of the season sails, club trips such as Ascension Day Pretzien, Whitsun gathering and three-city voyage