Club at Oortkatensee: Windsurfing Club Hamburg celebrates its 50th birthday

What began five decades ago with a handful of surfers has developed into a lively and committed community. Numerous current and former members celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Windsurfing Club Hamburg (WCH) at Oortkatensee on 13 September. Before the official part, there were a few races on the water. The club sees itself as a "home for everyone who appreciates windsurfing, the water and togetherness", as the club's philosophy states.

The importance of the Windsurfing Club Hamburg for the local sports landscape was also demonstrated by the presence of high-ranking guests, as the club emphasised. Among the guests of honour were Cornelia Schmidt-Hoffmann, head of the district authority, Katrin Adloff, vice president of the German Sailing Association (DSV), Oliver Kosanke, chairman of the Hamburg Sailing Association (HSgV), and Christian Poon, vice president of the Hamburg Sports Association. Another special guest was former 1st Chairman Thewes Henckell, who had travelled from the Dominican Republic especially for the anniversary celebrations.

In their words of welcome, the association representatives emphasised the important role of the WCH in the Bergedorf district and within the Hamburg sailing scene. The German Sailing Association and the Hamburg Sailing Association also presented the club with gifts as a token of their appreciation.

Chronicle "50 years Windsurfing Club Hamburg"

The "50 Years of Windsurfing Club Hamburg" chronicle, which Rainer Frohböse compiled to mark the anniversary, was also presented at the celebration. At the presentation, he paid special tribute to the achievements of his predecessors and former board members, many of whom are still actively involved in the club. Frohböse himself was recently honoured for his many years of commitment: The Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg had awarded him the "Medal for Faithful Work in the Service of the People" for his many years of voluntary work on the WCH Board at a reception in the town hall on 1 September. In his acceptance speech, Frohböse emphasised that his perseverance was primarily due to the great commitment of the association's members. He therefore did not see the award as a personal honour, but as a tribute to the entire association and its members.

• The weAre surfshop in Hamburg - "The location directly on the water gives us many possibilities"

The party then moved onto the water: the participants had the opportunity to try out wing surfing with the support of the neighbouring WeAre surf shop. After a round of fish stabbing, there was a small regatta with training sails, the so-called "Otti round". First place went to Philip Krebs, followed by Suse Striepe-Langer in second place and Bernd Neumann in third place. After a buffet and raffle, the party continued - and all club members and supporters were thanked.

• Website of the organisation: windsurfing-club-hamburg.de