History
A water polo match has four quarters. So does our story. A long tradition and an eventful history are the foundation of everything that happens in the pool today.
Quarter · 1899 · 1929
1899Founded
With the second public baths under construction, interest in a swimming club grows. On 2 May 1899 the HSV of 1899 is founded, Hildesheim’s first swimming club. Each member pays one mark a year for two training evenings a week. First training: 16 May 1899.
1912Olympia
The first great success in Hildesheim swimming history: at the Stockholm Olympics Grete Wildhagen wins silver in the 4×100 m freestyle relay.
1926Relay
Coached by Nauke Safft and Willi Bormann, the women’s team wins many races from 1926 to 1928, including the 3×100 m breaststroke relay in Magdeburg in German record time.
1927World record
In October 1927 over 100 m breaststroke in 1:28.2, in November over 200 m in 3:16.6. In 1928 she wins Olympic bronze in Amsterdam, in 1929 the German title.
Quarter · 1930 · 1968
1960Champions
The youngest swimmers of SSK Hellas, founded in 1919, win the German team championship.
1966Record
German youth champion in 1965 and 1966 in freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and medley, German record with the relay in 1966. Later she stays with the club as a coach.
1968Talent
For SSK Hellas he becomes German youth champion over 100 and 200 m breaststroke. Ten years later he is world champion.
Quarter · 1969 · 1999
1969Merger
Both clubs face falling membership and merge. In their best years they had more than 3,000 members together.
1978World champions
Walter Kusch, Hildesheim’s best-known post-war swimmer, becomes world champion in the 100 m breaststroke. Ulrich Temps, with the club since 1976, takes silver in the 4×100 m freestyle relay.
1983First title
Hellas hosts the national U19 finals at the Jo-Bad and wins unbeaten in front of almost 1,000 spectators, 6:2 against Spandau 04 in the deciding match.
1986Promotion
Two nail-biters at the Jowi, 5:4 and 9:8, make the men regional champions and promote them to the top flight. The same year Dirk Schütze becomes junior European champion.
1989European champion
The greatest international success of a Hellas water polo player. Dirk Schütze later plays in Italy’s pro league and today coaches the Hellas youth.
1992Second title
In Berlin the U19 side led by Arne Hartmann topples ASC Duisburg, whose fans had already brought their champions’ T-shirts.
1995Back up
On the final day Hellas beats SC Wedding Berlin 10:3 at the Jo-Wiese. The better goal difference over Esslingen means promotion back to the top flight.
1999100
The anniversary chronicle tells the full story.
Quarter · 2000 · today
2010Third title
With only ten players the U19 side wins a sensational third title in Krefeld. Coaches: Bernd Seidensticker and Heiko Ropers.
2022Cup win
14:11 against favourites SSV Esslingen in Rostock. The first national water polo title for Hildesheim since 2010.
2024125
At the marksmen’s parade U18 top scorer Max Becker leads the way in swimming trunks, painted head to toe in the club colours. The party follows at the clubhouses.
2025Double
After years of second places the first team wins the league, and in December the cup final 22:10 at RSV Hannover. Dirk Schütze scores in his farewell game.
«True to Hellas and to friends.»That is what the club banner says. On the club website the motto reads «True to friends and to Hellas!».
