Think of the rhythmic splash of oars cutting through the Neckar’s surface right here at the Stuttgart-Cannstatter Ruderclub. This isn’t just any boat club. It’s a place steeped in history and a passion for rowing. The Stuttgart-Cannstatter Ruderclub was founded in 1910. A group of enthusiastic rowers established it on the Berger Insel in Bad Cannstatt.
Initially, the club operated out of a simple wooden shed. By 1912, the club grew and moved to its own boathouse near the Gaisburger Wehr. World War I and World War II caused disruptions. The club had to change locations several times. In 1960, the Stuttgart-Cannstatter Ruderclub began planning its current boathouse. It was inaugurated in 1965 in Stuttgart-Mühlhausen.
The Stuttgart-Cannstatter Ruderclub is the largest rowing club in Stuttgart. It boasts around 520 members. About 25% are children and teenagers. The club’s location on the Neckar provides access to a six-kilometer rowing area. This stretches between the locks of Bad Cannstatt and Stuttgart-Hofen.
The club has a diverse range of boats. Currently they have 75 boats. They offer about 190 rowing places. Members aged 10 to 85 can participate in competitive and recreational rowing. The Stuttgart-Cannstatter Ruderclub offers various training programs. Two full-time and four part-time trainers are employed. They also have additional instructors for the adult rowing school.
The Stuttgart-Cannstatter Ruderclub hosts the annual “Stuttgarter Stadtachter”. It is a major event. This regatta features teams of eight rowers. Since 1987, teams have competed for the “Cannstatter Kanne” challenge prize. The regatta promotes team sport. It includes junior, women’s, men’s, and corporate teams. The fastest club team wins the “Cannstatter Kanne” on the long course. The “Heinz-Fritsch-Pokal” is awarded for the sprint.
The club has celebrated significant achievements over the years. Erika Endriss and Monika Zipplies achieved fifth place at the 1976 Olympics. They were part of the German women’s eight team. More recently, between 2017 and 2019, rowers achieved international success. Janika Köblin and Stefanie Weigt secured second place at the 2017 U23 European Championships. They competed in the lightweight women’s double sculls. In 2018, Janika Köblin and Marie-Christine Gerhardt won second place at the U23 World Championships. They competed in the lightweight women’s pair. 2019 saw Janika Köblin and Marie-Christine Gerhardt secure third place at the World Rowing Championships. They competed in the lightweight women’s pair. In 2024, Philip Kaltenborn with Paul Maissenhälter, Simon Haible and Maximilian Rühling won the U23 World Championships in the lightweight men’s quadruple sculls.
Today, the Stuttgart-Cannstatter Ruderclub continues to thrive. It welcomes new members. They invite anyone interested in learning to row. The club offers opportunities for both recreational and competitive rowing. It emphasizes the joy of the sport. It also highlights health benefits. They foster a strong sense of community. The Neckar River calls. Will you answer?