Yacht Club Donau

History

On 12 February 1956, Motorbootclub Greifenstein received official approval. As early as 1957, interest in the preparatory course for the boat master's examination grew so much that club evenings had to move to a dedicated room at Cafe Elsahof; the club joined the newly founded Austrian motorboating federation and built its own landing stage in Greifenstein. In 1958 membership grew to 45 full, 19 associate and 7 junior members; land was leased in Altenberg and a nearby building was converted into a clubhouse, inaugurated on 24 May. Members took part in international motorboat races in Germany, Italy, France and Hungary. In 1959 the name was changed to Motor Yacht Club Donau and the first club marina opened; a full-time club caretaker was employed for the first time. During the 1960s the club focused on sporting and social activities, with courses in lifesaving, knots and splicing, and first aid; harbour berth users rose to 64. In 1965 the 10th anniversary was celebrated with a DDSG steamer trip to Dürnstein for 300 participants. In 1968 a St Nicholas chapel was dedicated in Greifenstein parish church to the patron saint of Austrian boatmen; the club donated a statue by Josef Rifesser, honoured each year at the season opening church service. The first midsummer festival on the bathing meadow in Greifenstein took place in 1971. In 1979 the name became Yacht Club Donau and activities were extended to sailing and surfing; the club had 117 full and 43 associate members with 79 boats. In the 1980s the club dealt with the Greifenstein power plant construction and relocation of harbour and club grounds. In 1984 an agreement with Donaukraftwerke provided a new harbour basin with pontoons, fencing and lighting plus the shell of a new clubhouse; Motor-Zillen-Club-Donau joined as a collective member. At the end of 1984 the club had 202 members with 151 boats. On 5 May 1985 the new clubhouse and marina opened in a flood-safe area; a permanent water-ski slalom course was installed, sailing and surfing became possible in the power plant forebay, and a club tennis court created a true club atmosphere. Pontoon facilities inside and outside the spur were built in 1996–1997. Co-founder and honorary president Anton Schmitt died in 2001. During the 2002 centenary flood the harbour was drained and boats ran dry when the water level dropped by about 6 metres. In 2003 club caretaker Karl Ehrenstrasser retired after more than 40 years; Christian Rieß succeeded him and Ehrenstrasser became president. The YCD celebrated its 50th anniversary on 22 July 2006. After a long admission freeze, a limited number of new members could join again in 2007.

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