Seglerverein Schwanenwerder e.V.
Seglerverein Schwanenwerder e.V. is Berlin's only dedicated children and youth sailing club, located on the green island of Schwanenwerder on Lake Wannsee. On the club's 220-square-metre site with a clubhouse and boat shed, club boats in the classes Optimist, ILCA 7, 420er, Dyas and Randmeerjolle are available free of charge to active members. The programme includes Opti training for beginners and advanced sailors, 420er and Laser training for young people, year-round fitness training and annual adult sailing courses preparing for the sport boat licence. Regular club regattas such as the season-opening Ansegeln, participation in regional competitions and shared winter activities shape club life. Founded in 1953 and run by its members, the club has repeatedly been awarded by the German Sailing Association for exemplary youth training.
History
As early as 1951, a boat-building group existed on the site of the Schwanenwerder country hostel, supported with boats by the Tempelhof district office. To create a legal basis for this group, dedicated adults founded Seglerverein Schwanenwerder e.V. on 10 May 1953 and set up the club house in the hostel's tea house. This thatched building burned down in 1970. Nevertheless, the club with its 50 to 60 members still has its base on the same 220-square-metre plot on Schwanenwerder, where a rebuilt clubhouse and a boat shed stand today. Since its founding, the SVS has focused on work with children and young people and is Berlin's only pure children and youth sailing club. From the outset the club has worked closely with the Tempelhof district office, which leased the site free of charge until a few years ago and helped finance new boats. Without berth rental and with deliberately low membership fees, funds are tight, so the club depends on donations from supporting members and the voluntary work of committed young people and young adults. Adult members take on a club office and help with youth training; younger members also contribute actively. Former members include names such as Peter Westphal and later Olympic champion Willi Kuhweide. In 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021 and 2023 Seglerverein Schwanenwerder e.V. was recognised by the German Sailing Association for exemplary training and received a DSV plaque, certificate and flag each time.
Information
Facilities
Clubhouse and boat shed on a 220-square-metre club site on Schwanenwerder on Lake Wannsee; club boats are available free of charge to active members who hold the required qualification.
Activities
Opti training for children, 420er and Laser training for young people, fitness training, adult sailing courses, club regattas, regional regattas, winter activities and preparation for the sport boat licence.
Youth section
Berlin's only dedicated children and youth sailing club with Opti training from age 7, youth training on 420er and Laser, and regular regatta participation.
Guest berths
No, no berth rental
Boating license training
Available: 1