Twentse Watersport Vereniging Hengelo
Twentse Watersport Vereniging Hengelo (TWV) is a traditional watersports club on the Twente Canal in Hengelo (Overijssel), founded in 1935. The club brings together competitive and recreational canoeists, sailors and motorboat users and runs its own marina with about 80 berths plus the clubhouse De Roef. Facilities include pontoons with electricity, a large canoe shed, a members' workshop, Wi-Fi and free parking; guest berths and camper pitches are available for visitors. The strong canoe section ranks among the largest in the Netherlands, trains juniors intensively and organises the annual Twente Regatta on the Twente Canal. With around 200 members, a harbour master living on site and an active club community, TWV offers a varied programme for watersports enthusiasts of all experience levels.
History
With the construction of the Twente Canals in 1935, watersports came to Hengelo. Even before the canal network was fully linked to open water on the Gelderse IJssel, Roeivereniging Tubantia and Twentse Watersport Vereniging were founded. On 15 March 1935 TWV was established in a nearly spontaneous initiative with initially 59 members. In the early years there were small berths for small boats; sailing and sailing lessons took place and canoeists were already active. As commercial shipping and container traffic grew, sailing on the canal later became impossible. Leisure craft became larger; the municipality of Hengelo built a harbour that was handed over to TWV for operation at the end of the 1980s and expanded at the same time. In 1972 the realisation of marina Vikkerhoek was a milestone for larger boats in Twente. The canoe section grew strongly and now ranks among the larger ones in the Netherlands; in the 1960s and 1970s Paul Hoekstra, with Olympic and world championship appearances, was an outstanding canoeist of the club. In 2013 TWV won the Hanzebokaal. In 2015 large parts of the pontoons were renewed and boxes adapted for larger vessels. Since 2016 there have been camper pitches directly at the marina. On 15 March 2025 the club celebrated its 90th anniversary. Today TWV has around 200 members and remains lively with harbour, clubhouse De Roef and an active canoe and motorboat community.
Information
Facilities
Marina with about 80 berths (max. approx. 4 m beam, 12 m length, 1.50 m draught), renewed pontoons with power, water taps, clubhouse/canteen De Roef with toilets, showers, changing rooms, recreation hall, bar and kitchen, canoe shed, members' workshop, Wi-Fi, waste separation area, about 10 winter shore storage places, 6 to 9 camper pitches, free parking, night-secured and lit grounds.
Activities
Competitive and recreational canoeing, sailing and motorboating, junior training and introductory canoe clinics, touring paddling, annual Twente Regatta on the Twente Canal, club trips and social activities in clubhouse De Roef, guest berths and camper stays for visitors.
Youth section
Active canoe youth with intensive training, introductory clinics from age 10 and competition participation; the section ranks among the largest and most active in the Netherlands.
Parking
Yes, free parking
Guest berths
Yes, available for visitors