YKPS Poland Escader 2015

YKPS Yacht Klub Polonia Malmö arranged an “eskader” (group sail) in July 2015 with 24 participating boats. Boats gathered in
Höllviken and went through Falsterbo Canal to Sassnitz, Swinoujscie, Wolin and finally Szczecin. Here are some pictures from the week.

Eleven boat crews met at Falsterbokanalens Boat Club the evening before take off, where Andreas went though practical details about the trip.

Early bird “take off” to pass during the first opening of the bridge at 06.00, sharp.

It was misty in the morning, but there were good winds from the west so we could sail all the way to Sassnitz.

Some boats used a spinnaker or gennaker all the way.

The distance between boats spread after a while. Andreas had told us that the difference in arrival between the
first and last boats was normally about two hours. We should all arrive in Sassnitz before 18.00. Distance 64 Nm.

Sassnitz Marina had lots of spaces. Mooring fee € 14:- for a 35 ft boat. Good showers and toilets, restaurants and
shops along the quay. It takes 15 minutes to walk to the city center to get fresh bread from a bakery in the morning.

Leaving Sassnitz, heading for Swinouiscie. Distance 42 Nm.

The sun came out as we left and we had a very light breeze.

Looking for wind!

The marina in Swinouiscie was recently refurbished with assistance from the EU. The building to the left contains
the harbour office, showers and toilets. The building straight ahead is a restaurant with very good food. The mooring
fee is 38 Zloty for a 35 ft boat, or around SEK 90:-, which seemed to be fee range at other marinas. We were
guests of the administration of Szczecin region who paid our mooring fees in the three Polish marinas. Shower
tokens cost 7 Zloty each, and you have to pay a deposit for a card to buy for water and electricity at the mooring place.

The plan of the marina, in the harbor master’s office which is open 24 hrs per day. In the left is the restaurant and a cafe.

We moored together near the entrance to the marina.

There are water and electricity columns on the piers. Electrical connections are EU standard. To get electricity, place
the plastic card on the red power symbol. One of the red lamps will then blink and remain lit. You can then connect the
cable to the socket outlet indicated by the lamp. Do not connect the cable first! To get water place the card on the blue
water symbol. The light at the bottom of the left column shows that water is available. You need your own water hose.

There was a fuel station at the marina, but the pump did not work when we visited. Internet was installed but had
issues. Some boats arrived a day earlier and had internet, but we did not, even when we returned a week later.

We met at the restaurant where Andreas reviewed the program in Swinouiscie.

We took a walk in the morning from the marina, through a park, towards the beach and the fashionable beach promenade.

Andreas introduced us to a routine of group photos.

The beach was very popular and packed with people on Wednesday morning.

The city center was a 15 minute walk from the marina. There are many cafes, shops and a shopping mall.

There is an information office where you can get printed material, in English, about some marinas in Poland.
This is not available on line. In the square was an exhibit about the city’s 250 years of German-Polish history.

We were invited for a grill and beer party at Klub Cztery Wiatry, a short walk from the marina.

There is a risk of getting smoked by Polish grills.

But the smoke is well worth it, and it helps discourage the mosquitos.

A short break for Andreas’s group photo.

We were welcomed to Poland, the city and the club with a couple of short speeches.

This bottle is not full as the label says but holds a burning mosquito punk. Insect repellants are
sold in all shops and are essential. Mosquito is “komar” in Polish, a word to remember.

The next day we left for Wolin. You have to watch for other boats as there is a lot of traffic on the Kanal Piastowsky.

Some boats are large.

No time to discuss who has the right of way.

It is quite clear that commercial traffic goes first.

Along the channel is a natural reserve for birds. They use it.

The Szczecin Lagoon is very shallow. We were advised not to take short cuts. Not only is it shallow, but there are many fish nets.

We were careful to follow the well marked route into Wolin. The depth was 2,2 meters just at the beginning of the recommended route but then deepened.

Flying the flag of YKPS Malmö.

The marina in Wolin and an outstanding new club house with excellent toilets and showers. We were guests and did not pay for anything.

This is the refurbished part of the marina, with EU standard electrical connections.

You can also moor further north alongside the town quay. Opposite the marina, on the left, is a Viking Village.

When you moor alongside the town quay, the power points do not have EU standard connections. They look
like the plug to the right, which differs from the standard two phase earthed plugs we use in Sweden. The “earth”
on the Polish socket has a metal peg that goes into the plug. You will not be able to use a standard Swedish plug.

We were welcomed by the Mayor of Wolin in the new club house.

The Mayor informed us about Wolin, and that they plan to refurbish other parts of the marina. They were able to accommodate 100 boats.

A perfect opportunity to take a group photo after the meeting.

There was no wind, so no sail competition. Instead, kayak paddling race on a 2 km course. Two heats and then a final.

Waiting for the start of the second race.

Supporters cheering the competitors and sounding a bell when each crosses the finishing line.

Lars, to the left, and Anders were the overall winners.

We were collected from the marina and rowed across Dziwna Strait to the Viking Village in a Viking ship.

All people working at the village wore traditional Viking clothes.

A meal was served: flat bread baked on a griddle, a fish soup, followed by cooked grains and slow roasted meat.

A guide gave us information and showed us around. The  village opened for tourism in 2008 and has an annual festival in early August.

The village is very interactive, and you can dress up in battle gear and enact battles.

The village house some animals, such as a horse, some sheep and lots of cats.

To use bow and arrow is not easy. Few managed to hit the board.

Typical instruments for Viking times, demonstrated by a very skilled instrument maker and musician.

We were invited to try to row the ship. Oars are heavy, and not many could continue for long.

Leaving Wolin for the last stop, Szczecin.

A light house along the River Oder.

New marker buoys on land.

We stayed at Pogon Szczecin Marina. Again we were invited and did not pay any mooring fees.

Andreas informing us about the visit in Szczecin. We were taken on a guided bus tour, courtesy of the tourist office.

We had an excellent guide, who took us to the new marina that should open soon.

The new marina is one of five, including Wolin and Swinoujiscie, that have received support from the EU.

The stop at the marina gave another opportunity for a group photo.

The guide took us on a walking tour to important landmarks, like this Angel of Freedom at
Solidarity Square that commemorates those who died during the anti-communist riots in 1970.

Nearby was a photo exhibit showing what the city looked like at the end of WW II.

And of course a visit to shopping malls. We spent three hours at Galaxy, and then made a short visit at Galeria Kaskada.

Our final meeting.

Andreas and his friends in Yacht Klub Polonia Malmö did a great job and the “eskader” was a huge success.

The final grill with lots of very good food.

Mirage and Deirdre heading north.

Hope to see you next year.