Presentation and history

Club de Vela Blanes was founded with legal status in 1943, but it had already been running activities since the late 1930s. Under the name of CAU, its founding members, along with other lovers of the sea, (Josep Mª i Ferran Pinto, Paco Coll, Joan Vieta, Rafael Bataller and Josep Mª Grau among others ) had, from the very outset, a clear idea of the Club’s philosophy:the sport of sailing had to be their raison d 'être.

During the first few years, until the mid-20th century, the sport focused on the 160 fleet of Snipe class, the social and recreational character of the "CAU excursions" and the creation of social centre and walkways. This first stage was led by René Bourlon.

The consolidation of the Club would arrive during the second half of the century. Firstly, under the Presidency of Ramón Doll and then Xavier Oms, the first stone was laid of what would become the Club as it is known today. A period that stood out for the major events organised at the Club and for the great sports men and women that emerged in the Optimist, Moth Europa and Snipe class. In a second stage, under the command of Josep Arxer as president, the Cruise class saw the birth of the Princep de Girona Trophy.

At the end of the 20th century, Simón Schwartz took over the Presidency, with the aim of remodelling the facilities in order to increase the comfort of club members and to facilitate the training of sports men and women. This period included great end of season dinners held for members, which proved very popular, and major sporting events on an international level such as the Vila de Blanes Samsonite Trophy. The sailing school, approved by the RFEV and the FCV in 1992, set out on its course slowly but surely, and it continues to the present day.

Finally, and until the renewal of the concession, Amadeu Nualart, latest president of the Club de Vela Blanes, has witnessed the start of a fishing section and, during the early years of his tenure, he consolidated the sailing school. This period has also included the creation of the first Sailing Institute of Catalonia (IES Serrallarga), working with the areas of education and sports of Blanes Town Council to bring sailing to primary schools, and the consolidation of the Club’s sports organisational chart along with the activity of Accessible Sailing for people with disabilities. In addition, the >Premi Es Niell