Royal Perth Yacht Club facts for kids
Burgee
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| Short name | RPYC |
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| Founded | 1865 |
| Location | Australia II Drive, Pelican Point, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia |
| Commodore | Janet Hornbuckle |
The Royal Perth Yacht Club (RPYC) is a famous yacht club located in Perth, Western Australia. It is one of the oldest yacht clubs in Australia, founded way back in 1865. The club has two main homes: one at the Crawley Marina on Pelican Point and another at the Fremantle Annexe in Challenger Harbour.
RPYC is also part of the International Council of Yacht Clubs, which connects yacht clubs from all over the world. Since 2000, the club has supported the Sailability WA program, which helps people with disabilities enjoy sailing.
Contents
The Club's Beginnings
The story of the Royal Perth Yacht Club started even before it was officially formed. In 1841, a group of sailors held a small boat race to celebrate Foundation Day. More races followed, and in 1865, these early sailors officially created the Perth Yacht Club.
In the early days, the club held exciting events like yacht races and gig rowing races. In 1865, W.H. Knight became the first President. The club even created its first "Sailing Rules" in 1870. You can still see an original Rule Book from 1880 and the club's oldest trophy, which dates back to 1885, in their museum.
In 1880, a jetty was built for the club near William Street on Perth Water. A few years later, in 1889, the club got a brand new clubhouse. The Governor of Western Australia, Sir Frederic Napier Broome, officially opened it.
In 1890, something very special happened: Queen Victoria gave the club a Royal Charter. This meant the club could add "Royal" to its name, becoming the Royal Perth Yacht Club. The club also changed its flag (called a burgee) to a white one with a red cross and a crown.
In 1903, the club was allowed to fly The Plain Blue Ensign, a special flag used by the British Navy. This flag was first raised at the clubhouse on July 4, 1903. The club's main location moved to Crawley in 1953 because the old site became too shallow for boats.
America's Cup Victories
The Royal Perth Yacht Club is famous for its role in the America's Cup, one of the world's most important sailing races. RPYC entered yachts like Southern Cross in 1974 and Australia in 1977 and 1980.
Australia II Makes History
In 1983, a team from Royal Perth Yacht Club, sailing the yacht Australia II, made history! Skippered by John Bertrand, Australia II raced against the American yacht Liberty. Australia II won the race, becoming the first team ever to take the America's Cup away from the New York Yacht Club. The New York Yacht Club had held the cup for an amazing 132 years!
Australia II had a very special design by Ben Lexcen, including a unique "winged keel" that helped it sail faster. After the victory, the Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, famously said that any boss who fired a worker for celebrating that day was "a bum"!
Hosting the America's Cup
RPYC then hosted the 1987 defence in Fremantle Harbour. The American challenger, Stars & Stripes 87, sailed by Dennis Conner, won against the Australian defender, Kookaburra III. This was the last time that 12-metre class yachts were used in the America's Cup.
To remember the historic win, the road leading to RPYC in Crawley was renamed Australia II Drive. Also, the second mast of the Australia II was placed permanently outside the clubhouse to mark the 30th anniversary of the victory.
Amazing Sailors and Events
Many talented sailors from RPYC have competed in the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, winning medals for Australia. Here are some of them:
- Rolly Tasker won Australia's first Olympic medal in sailing (a silver) at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
- Noel Robins, Jamie Dunross, and Graeme Martin all won gold medals at the 2000 Paralympics in the Sonar Class. Graeme Martin also won bronze in 2008 and another gold in 2016!
- Elise Rechichi and Tessa Parkinson won gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in the 470 Class.
- Rachael Cox won a silver medal at the 2008 Paralympics.
- Colin Harrison won bronze at the 2008 Paralympics and gold at the 2016 Paralympics.
- Russell Boaden won bronze at the 2008 Paralympics and gold at the 2016 Paralympics.
- Matt Wearn won a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics in the Laser Class.
In 1979, RPYC organized the Parmelia Race, a 20,000 km journey from England to Perth. This race celebrated the 150th anniversary of Western Australia and recreated the voyage of the first British settlers.
Jon Sanders, a famous sailor from the club, was the first person to sail around Antarctica solo twice, from 1981 to 1982. He also holds the record for the longest continuous solo sail around the world three times, from 1986 to 1988!
RPYC also hosted the 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, which was an important event for sailors trying to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
See also
In Spanish: Real Club de Yates de Perth para niños
- List of International Council of Yacht Clubs members
- America's Cup title holders
- New York Yacht Club, 1851-1983
- San Diego Yacht Club, 1987-1995
- Société Nautique de Genève, 2003-2010
- Golden Gate Yacht Club, 2010-2017
- Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron; 1995-2003, 2017-present
