Salzwasser Union

The SALZWASSER UNION – Verband der Seekajakfahrer e. V. (abbreviated SaU) is a German registered association dedicated to the promotion and development of sea kayaking. It is entered in the register of associations at the Amtsgericht Bremen (Bremen Local Court). The association was founded in 1985 with the aim of promoting sea kayaking, representing the interests of sea kayakers before associations and ministries, organising meetings and trips, securing paddling routes and destinations, exchanging information with partners at home and abroad, providing training in safety and equipment, developing boats and materials, and exchanging literature on the history of the Eskimo kayak. In Germany the association introduced the concept of compartmentalised sea kayaks with minimised water volume in the cockpit, fixed hand and/or foot pumps, and stable grip points for partner assistance. It also succeeded in obtaining access to T2 signal rockets for sea kayakers from the Federal Ministry of the Interior for the first time. In 2003 the association renamed itself Salzwasser Union – Verband der Seekajakfahrer e. V. Its stated purpose is the practice and promotion of sea kayaking, in particular through representation of interests before authorities and associations, organisation of events and trips, information exchange at home and abroad, training in safety, equipment and planning, and nature conservation. The Salzwasser Union has developed its own training concept with various course offerings and its own training book, Küstenpaddlers Basiswissen (a loose-leaf collection). It publishes the club magazine Seekajak four times a year. The training programme consists of successive levels: Regional Safety Training (RST), Sea Capability (A qualification, formerly A licence), Trip Leader (B qualification, formerly B licence), and Instructor (C qualification, formerly C licence). So-called taster trips are also offered; participation requires completion of an RST and club membership.

The Salzwasser Union was founded in 1985 as an association to promote sea kayaking in Germany. From its early years it pursued a broad mandate: promoting the sport, representing sea kayakers' interests before associations and ministries, organising meetings and trips, securing paddling routes and destinations, exchanging information with partners at home and abroad, training in safety and equipment, developing boats and materials, and exchanging literature on the history of the Eskimo kayak. Among its notable early achievements, the association introduced compartmentalised sea kayaks in Germany, featuring minimised water volume in the cockpit, fixed hand and/or foot pumps, and stable grip points for partner assistance. It also succeeded in obtaining access to T2 signal rockets for sea kayakers from the Federal Ministry of the Interior for the first time. In 2003 the association renamed itself Salzwasser Union – Verband der Seekajakfahrer e. V. Its purpose remained the practice and promotion of sea kayaking, in particular through representation of interests before authorities and associations, organisation of events and trips, information exchange at home and abroad, training in safety, equipment and planning, and nature conservation. Over the years the association developed its own training concept with successive course levels and its own training book, Küstenpaddlers Basiswissen, a loose-leaf collection. It publishes the club magazine Seekajak four times a year. The training programme comprises Regional Safety Training (RST), Sea Capability (A qualification, formerly A licence), Trip Leader (B qualification, formerly B licence), and Instructor (C qualification, formerly C licence). Taster trips are also offered, requiring participation in an RST and club membership.

• 2003

  Renamed to Salzwasser Union – Verband der Seekajakfahrer e. V.

• 1985

  Association founded to promote sea kayaking in Germany.

A member-based association and interest group for sea kayakers in Germany, combining advocacy, safety training, equipment development and community events.

• Regional Safety Training (RST)

• Sea Capability (A qualification, formerly A licence)

• Trip Leader (B qualification, formerly B licence)

• Instructor (C qualification, formerly C licence)

• Seekajak magazine (published four times a year)

• Küstenpaddlers Basiswissen training book (loose-leaf collection)

• Taster trips

1. 1Salzwasser Union – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Saltwater Union – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Salzwasser Union official websitesalzwasserunion.de