Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club facts for kids
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| Short name | RGYC |
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| Founded | 1829 |
| Location | Gibraltar Harbour, Gibraltar |
| Website | https://www.rgyc.gi/ |
The Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club (RGYC) is a special club for people who love sailing and boats. It was started a very long time ago, in 1829, by officers from the Royal Navy (the British navy). At first, it was called the Gibraltar Yacht Club. It was one of the first yacht clubs ever created outside of Britain.
Important people like British kings and queens, and the governors of Gibraltar, have supported the club. The first time a reigning monarch visited was in 1954. Over time, fewer navy members were in Gibraltar, and more local people joined the club. The RGYC opened a sailing school in 2001. It became a recognized teaching place in 2004 and a testing center in 2010. Because of new land being built in Gibraltar Harbour, the club had to move. A new building for the club is currently being built.
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History of the Club
The Gibraltar Yacht Club began in 1829 in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It was founded by officers of the Royal Navy who were stationed there. This club was one of the very first yacht clubs started outside of Britain. For example, the Singapore Yacht Club was founded just three years earlier.
The first time the club was mentioned was in a newspaper called the Gibraltar Chronicle on July 15, 1829. It said that members would meet at Griffiths Hotel. This first meeting took place at the Griffiths Hotel in Commercial Square. Today, this area is known as John Mackintosh Square. Later, club meetings were held at the Garrison Library. By the end of the 1800s, the club moved to Gibraltar Harbour, near King's Bastion. In those days, if you wanted to register your yacht with the club, the Governor of Gibraltar had to approve it.
Even though some early records are missing, the club has an important notice from 1837. It shows that the club members were allowed to fly a special flag called a "St. George’s or White Ensign" and a "cornet or burgee" (a type of flag). Later, in 1842, they were given permission to use the Blue Ensign flag instead.
The first sailing competition (called a regatta) that we have records for was on July 22, 1893. Besides sailing, that day also had swimming, water polo, rowing, and a fun event called the greasy pole. In 1910, King George V, who was then the Prince of Wales, gave the club a special cup. This cup is now called the King's Cup and is awarded every year for a sailing competition. The next year, the prince became a supporter (or patron) of the club.
On October 13, 1933, King George V gave the club the special title "Royal." This is why it's now called the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club. The first time a reigning king or queen visited the club was in May 1954. This was Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. They visited after arriving in Gibraltar on the royal yacht Britannia. Prince Philip is still a member of the club today. In its early years, only Royal Navy officers could join the club. The Governor of Gibraltar was always one of its main supporters.
During the 1800s, many more yacht clubs started appearing across the British Empire. This happened partly because more people had money, but also because sailing became a very respected activity. It was especially popular because royalty, like Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, supported it. Over the 1800s, more Gibraltarians slowly joined the yacht club. However, in the later part of the 1900s, as the Royal Navy's presence became smaller, many more local people joined the club.
In January 1991, the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club hosted a big event called Europa 92. This was known as the world's first "around the world rally" for small yachts. The club gave all the sailors temporary membership and was the main host for the week before the race started.
The Club in the 21st Century
The main goal of the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club is to encourage sailing in the Gibraltar area. The club uses two types of yachts: Victory Class yachts and 420s. They have 17 Victory Class yachts. Sailors compete for 21 different trophies during the sailing season, which runs from May to October. The King's Cup is the most important trophy. It is given for the best performance in the Victory Class vessels each season.
The United Kingdom's R.A.F. Sailing Association competes at the club every year. The Tango Laser Open is the last club competition of the summer. It includes a competition for adults that is open to people who are not club members. This event brings many competitors from Spain, including the yacht club from La Línea, which is just across the border.
The Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club organized the fifteenth annual Gibraltar Regatta. This event took place in the Bay of Gibraltar from July 29 to 31, 2011. Participants could register in one of four groups. Awards were given to the top three boats in each group. An extra award went to the boat with the fastest time in the "Round the Rock" competition. In 2012, the Gibraltar Regatta was held on July 28 and 29.
Sailing Academy and Training
The club's sailing academy started in May 2001. In 2004, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) recognized it as a teaching facility. The Teaching Centre is run by volunteers and gets financial help from the yacht club. Lessons are available from March to November for both members and non-members. Beginners can take a one-week introduction course during the summer. There are three such weeks available every year.
In 2004, the club also became an RYA training center for powerboating. Six years later, in 2010, the club became an ICC testing center for both sailing and powerboating. People who register can earn an International Certificate of Competence.
Club Relocation
In December 2008, club members sailed from the club for the last time from their old location. In early 2009, sand was used to create new land in front of the yacht club. This project is known as the Rooke reclamation or mid-harbour reclamation. After this, the club moved from 26 Queensway to a temporary place at 2 Queensway. Temporary places for boats were built behind what used to be a health facility for the Ministry of Defence.
A construction company called Profield Contractors won the job to build a new club house and other facilities on Coaling Island. In July 2011, it was announced that the government had set aside money for the club's move. Their new location on Coaling Island used to be a Ministry of Defence site for the Boat Squadron. In 2012, the Government of Gibraltar asked for bids to build the "Proposed Marine Works at the New Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club Phase 1, Sea Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh facilities."
