Overview
Founded in 1872, the Société Nautique de Genève is Switzerland's largest water-sports club, with more than 4,500 members, on the south shore of the Petit-Lac at Cologny on the edge of Geneva. Its sections cover sailing (the Cercle de la voile, 1903), rowing – part of the club since its founding – and powerboating and water-skiing (the Hélice section). Since 1939 it has run the Bol d'Or du Léman, one of the world's biggest inland regattas, from Geneva to Le Bouveret and back, as well as the Tour du Léman rowing race, and under its burgee Alinghi won the America's Cup in 2003 and 2007. A harbour of about a thousand berths with two cranes and a slipway, plus sailing, rowing and water-ski schools, make it a hub of Lake Geneva.
- Founded
- 1872
- Members
- about 4,500 (club figure)
- Federation
- Swiss Sailing, Swiss Rowing
- info@nautique.ch
- Phone
- +41 22 707 05 00
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreThe app finds the rescue centre for where you are, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- Bol d'Or du Lémanwhole-lake race Geneva – Le Bouveret – Geneva since 1939 (next edition 11–13 June 2027)
- BCGE Tour du Léman à l’Avironround-the-lake rowing race (24–26 September 2027)
- International Optimist team race
- Hélice Classique – Riva Daysclassic motorboat meeting
- 6 Metre Swiss & European Championships 2026
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingSailing school and courses
- Sailing school: Optimist (8–11), catamarans (12–18), private lessons up to the sailing licence ↗
- Rowing courses from age 12 and corporate rowing ↗
- Water-ski, wakeboard and wakesurf school with a competition branch ↗
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1872The Société Nautique de Genève is founded, with rowing from the start
- 1903The Cercle de la voile and the Hélice (powerboat) section are created
- 1939The Bol d'Or is created; it grows into one of the largest inland regattas (up to 600 boats)
- 1948The Hélice section takes up water-skiing
- 1965A dinghy and multihull section is created
- 1979First multihull in the Bol d'Or; from 1982 multihulls take line honours
- 2003Alinghi wins the America's Cup for the club, and again in 2007
Home harbour & location
- Position
- 46°12.86′ N 6°10.25′ E
46.21426, 6.17086 - Address
- Quai de Cologny 1
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Sailing school: Optimist (8–11), catamarans (12–18), private lessons up to the sailing licence, Rowing courses from age 12 and corporate rowing and Water-ski, wakeboard and wakesurf school with a competition branch.
When was Société Nautique de Genève founded?
In 1872.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Bol d'Or du Léman, BCGE Tour du Léman à l’Aviron, International Optimist team race and Hélice Classique – Riva Days.