Ceremonial anniversary: 100 years of Wander-Paddler-Havel e.V. in the heart of Reinickendorf!

Ceremonial anniversary: 100 years of Wander-Paddler-Havel e.V. in the heart of Reinickendorf!

Reinickendorf, Deutschland - On July 5, 2025, a very special occasion was celebrated in Reinickendorf: The Association Wander-Paddler-Havel e.V. (WPH) celebrated its 100th anniversary. In the presence of district councilor for sports, Harald Muschner (CDU), who congratulated the club in a solemn speech, the long -term history of the WPH was recognized. Muschner emphasized that the club has been working decisively to social life in Reinickendorf since its foundation in 1925. He delivered personal congratulations and donations of a total of 600 euros - 200 euros personally and 400 euros from the Senate Department.

"The Reinickendorf district is proud of the club, which shapes water sports and the community on the Havel," said Muschner. As a special honor, he presented the Federal President's sports badge to the WPH. This high state award will be awarded to clubs that do the common good-oriented club work for at least 100 years and are continuously earned by the promotion of sport, as dosb reports.

The anniversary celebrations

The anniversary took place at the same time at exciting events. Already on April 26, 2025, a team competition was held over 10 kilometers, in front of the club premises in Alt-Heiligensee. After the competitions, the winners were celebrated with bratwurst, cakes and drinks. The big anniversary festival on July 5 from 3 p.m. offered the members and visitors the opportunity to find out historical anecdotes and stories from club life.

The roots of the WPH go back to April 1925 when it was founded by personalities such as Robert Kurowski and Fritz Ratay. The first chairman was Fritz Ratay, and the first club domicile was at the Tivoli outdoor pool and restaurant. Today the association is divided into various activities, including stand up paddling and family fun.

A look at the history of the club

The WPH has had an eventful story. At the beginning, the association was the first workers' association on the Oberhavel and had to survive more turbulent times during National Socialism when four members of the association were murdered in 1944. After the war, the WPH managed to live up, but the GDR wall led to a loss of 15 members. The association bought a property in Alt-Heiligensee in 1955, where a new boathouse was inaugurated after four years of construction in 1959.

overshadowed by history, sporting successes have also been recorded. Prominent athletes such as Oliver Kegel, André Metzner and Barbara Baum bring fame on the Havel. The anniversary celebration made it possible for the honorary members who have been loyal to the WPH for many decades.

The anniversary celebration was therefore not only a festival of joy and cohesion, but also an era that is now to be shaped for the WPH over the next 100 years. Muschner concluded his speech with the words: "To the next 100 years - with so much passion, cohesion and passion as before!"