Tartu Kalevi Jahtklubi 60

This often raises eyebrows in surprise. In ancient times, trade routes ran across seas, rivers, and lakes — including the route from Lake Võrtsjärv via the Emajõgi River to Lake Peipus — and it’s known that parts of this journey were likely completed with the help of sails. However, as a sporting activity, Tartu residents have probably been sailing for only about 100 years. Still, they have sailed on the Emajõgi, Võrtsjärv, and Peipsi.

Within the city limits of Tartu, there is no longer enough space on the Emajõgi for sailing. Some competitions are still held on Lake Võrtsjärv, but most take place on Lake Saadjärv. During the Soviet era, when the “sea was closed,” sailing on inland waters gained momentum. In the 1960s, youth sailing camps held in Tamme by Lake Võrtsjärv hosted up to 150 participants. Surprisingly many people who later became prominent in various fields spent a part of their lives engaged in sailing.