Rowing touring trip Berlin

Having already been out in eastern Berlin in 2018, this year we rowed the Berlin west with 9 FRVS rowers. On 15 September we travelled very early in the morning by ICE to Berlin and then on by S-Bahn and bus to Tegelort, where we set up our base. The shopping party procured numerous treats while the others already prepared the boats. In the afternoon the first rowing stage to the Tegeler See followed, with many detours over small canals. We paid special attention to the „spouting buoys“, which kept spraying little fountains into the air. Various theories and speculations were put forward to fathom the purpose and function of these buoys: rainbow machines, boundaries for kite surfers, aeration systems for fish … Convincing too was the thesis that the buoys are driven by underwater hamster wheels in which fish pedal away properly. Or perhaps guinea pigs after all? We had lots of fun. With a dinner at the Croatian's, the first rowing day was already over.

The second rowing day then started with a half-day stage to the Nieder Neuendorfer See and the RC Oberhavel, where we took a short drinks break and were very warmly received. On the way we marvelled at the various shipwrecks that, by now overgrown, lie in the Berlin water. After a detour into the Havel Canal, we arrived back in Tegelort for the lunch break. In the afternoon we set off on the big loop across the Wannsee, which we had split over one and a half days. We again took time for various detours and rowed the canal around the Spandau Citadel. After the luxurious „portage“ with the rail wagon at the lock in Spandau, we ventured onto the adventurous passage through little Venice. Due to the many motorboats, the first metres could only be covered with the paddle hook, but later it became wider and more idyllic. At Prosport Berlin 24 we then left the boats overnight and set off again towards Tegelort by bus and train. In Berlin Spandau we then made a stop at a very tasty Italian before arriving very late by bus in Tegelort.

The next morning, public transport brought us back to our boats. That day, the rowing tour took us across the big Wannsee. Wind, waves and sailing regattas demanded quite a bit of the coxes. The bailers, too, came into use occasionally. The lido at the Wannsee was completely deserted on this windy Saturday. After entering the small Wannsee, the conditions became much more rower-friendly. After a short toilet stop at the school rowing association, we continued our trip across the Pohlesee and Stölpchensee. After passing the Babelsberg palace park, the city of Potsdam could even already be spotted. Under the Glienicke Bridge and past the Pfaueninsel, we rowed to our late lunch break at the Kladow promenade harbour. Freshly fortified, we set off on the journey home. Without further detours, we rowed back down the Havel. After moving the boats at the lock, we were soon back in Tegelort. For dinner we ordered Chinese in various levels of spiciness, but it didn't get particularly late that evening and everyone soon withdrew to soak up some restful sleep.

On departure day we did one more short loop to the Tegeler See and, in numerous bends, rowed around every island that got in our way. After all the leftovers were polished off at lunch and Elisabeth gave us a little serenade on the piano, we set off for the station and reached Frankfurt's main station late in the evening. Many thanks to Angelika for the organisation and Kathrin for the route planning. Happy to do it again any time.