Aidu Water Sports Center Needs Investments and Partners for Development

The Aidu Water Sports Center, established on the site of a former oil shale quarry, is seeking to attract more international events and training camps. However, to realize these plans, new investments and partners are needed. According to Robert Väli, Secretary General of the Estonian Rowing Union, the center successfully completed its first sports season in 2025, and this autumn it will host the prestigious Baltic Cup competition, bringing together around 300 young rowers from nine regional countries.

Väli added that Aidu could interest teams from hot countries as a venue for summer camps. "It's impossible to say it will happen, but there have already been rumors that those living in hot countries are looking for a more northern location for summer camps. The Baltic Cup involves all nine countries around the Baltic Sea," Väli said.

Hardy Murula, Chairman of the Board of the Aidu Water Sports Center, noted that the center still needs to address accommodation and catering issues for guests, requiring new partners and investments. However, the main goal of the project remains the establishment of a local community and bringing life back to the former oil shale mining area, where villages once existed.

"For now, perhaps the most important task has taken a back seat – creating a local water sports community. It's about developing our own club and training groups. After all, that's what we started all this for: we want to revive the traditions of the former coastal villages, but in a new format – as a modern sports community. Of course, this direction requires investment, but first of all we need leaders and joint activity," Murula said.

The Aidu center was also offered to host the 2027 European Rowing Championships for athletes under 23. However, because Estonian authorities oppose the participation of athletes from aggressor countries, the offer had to be declined.