Lost in Plovdiv

In early January 1922 the "Morski Sgovor" (Marine Agreement) club was founded at the Military Club in Plovdiv. Its goal was: "...to develop love and interest in the sea and our rivers, in navigation, fishing, trade by water, and other feelings and activities that are not only of patriotic significance but also of great benefit to our economic strengthening". That is why Plovdiv residents adopted the motto: "Men of Action".

At a general meeting the following year, a leadership board was elected, consisting of prominent Plovdiv citizens such as military officers, merchants, and officials, led by the mayor of the city Petar Drenski.

The club went through years of popularization and development, creating specialized sections for different disciplines, such as a river rowing legion and modern swimming pools/beaches along the Maritsa River. Over the years, the club achieved several notable milestones:

• March 14-15 1929 – The Maritsa River overflowed, flooding homes along both banks. People sought refuge on rooftops. The River Marine Legion was among the first to join rescue efforts, evacuating people and their belongings continuously throughout the night.
• First in the Balkans and among the top ten in Europe, Plovdiv built summer swimming pools along the Maritsa River that met global standards—featuring water filtration, changing rooms, training areas, and more.
• In 1967, under the auspices of the Marine Club – Plovdiv, the underwater habitat "Hebros" was constructed. It was used in an unprecedented national experiment in Varna Lake. The aquanauts were Dr. Garo Tomasyan (later elected mayor of Plovdiv) and Ivan Petrov.
• The first scuba diving club in Bulgaria outside the state military organization DOSO was registered—"Neptune".

Continuing its traditions, the Marine Club – Plovdiv did not fall behind its time. In addition to standard water sports like swimming and rowing, the club pioneered scuba diving training in Tsar Simeon Garden, where the first training sessions were held in the park's lake. The thrilling sport of speed swimming with fins followed, along with powerboat racing courses, where the first scooters were amateur-built. A modern rowing base was also established, hosting major competitions. For several years, Plovdiv athletes ranked among the top competitors in various classes. From the first national championship in 1968 until the dissolution of the powerboat section in 1990, Plovdiv always had a national champion.

After being discontinued during the totalitarian regime, the club was reestablished in 1992 thanks to Petar Neychev, Stefan Tsvetkov, and Dimitar Enev. The first chairman of the board after the club's revival was Dr. Garabed Tomasyan, who also served as mayor of Plovdiv (1991-1995).

Today, ESC "Morski Sgovor" remains active, organizing annual events such as the Viennese Officers' Ball, in cooperation with the Joint Special Operations Command. These events have a charitable purpose, supporting talented children of military personnel and families of soldiers who lost their lives on missions.

The club unites around 70 members, including magistrates, doctors, professors, managers, and entrepreneurs, all sharing a passion for sports and the cultural life of Plovdiv.