Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club

Last updated

Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club
Burgee of Royal Gibraltar YC.svg
Burgee
Ensign of the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club.svg
Ensign
Short nameRGYC
Founded1829
Location Gibraltar Harbour, Gibraltar
Website https://www.rgyc.gi/

The Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club, formerly the Gibraltar Yacht Club, was established by officers of the Royal Navy in 1829. It was one of the first yacht clubs founded outside of Britain. British monarchs and Gibraltarian governors have been patrons of the club; the first visit by a reigning monarch was in 1954. During the latter twentieth century, the naval presence waned and the membership of locals dominated. The club's sailing school was established in 2001, accredited as a teaching facility in 2004, and became a testing centre in 2010. The reclamation projects in the middle section of Gibraltar Harbour necessitated the club's move from 26 Queensway to temporary premises. A new facility is under construction.

Contents

History

Ensign of the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club Ensign of the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club.svg
Ensign of the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club
The first meeting of the Gibraltar Yacht Club took place at the Griffiths Hotel. Griffiths Hotel Main Street Gibraltar.jpg
The first meeting of the Gibraltar Yacht Club took place at the Griffiths Hotel.

The Gibraltar Yacht Club was established in 1829 in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar by officers of the Royal Navy stationed at the garrison. [1] [2] [3] It was one of the first yacht clubs to be founded outside of Britain; the Singapore Yacht Club was established three years earlier. [2] [4] [5] The first mention of a meeting of the club appeared in the Gibraltar Chronicle on 15 July 1829: "The members of the Gibraltar Yacht Club will hold a meeting at Griffiths Hotel on Friday 17th instant at 1 o’ clock p. m. when any officers of the Garrison wishing to join the club are requested to attend." The first meeting of the yacht club took place at the Griffiths Hotel in Commercial Square, now referred to as John Mackintosh Square and, colloquially, as the Piazza. Later, gatherings of the membership were at the Garrison Library. At the end of the nineteenth century, the club relocated to Gibraltar Harbour, near King's Bastion. [2] During the late nineteenth century, those who wanted to register their yachts with the Gibraltar Yacht Club required approval of the Governor of Gibraltar. [6]

While the earliest records of the yacht club have been lost, the club does have in its custody a notice of 27 October 1837 from the Admiralty to the Governor. In it, a warrant grants the members of the club permission to fly a "St. George’s or White Ensign and a cornet or burgee." A letter of 22 July 1842 then revokes that permission and instead authorizes wearing of the Blue Ensign. [2]

The first regatta for which records exist is that of 22 July 1893. In addition to sailing, the schedule for that day featured swimming, water polo, rowing, and the greasy pole. In 1910, King George V, then the Prince of Wales, gave to the club a cup, now referred to as the King's Cup, for an annual sailing competition. The next year, the prince became the club's patron. More than two decades later, on 13 October 1933, the king bestowed the title "Royal" upon the Gibraltar Yacht Club. The first visit by a reigning monarch was in May 1954, as the then patron Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited the club after arriving in Gibraltar on the royal yacht HMY Britannia. [2] [7] [8] Prince Philip continues to be a member of the club. [9] Membership in the club during its early years was limited to officers of the Royal Navy, and the Governor of Gibraltar was consistently one of its patrons. Other amusements afforded to the officers included the Royal Calpe Hunt and the Garrison Library. [4] [10]

Over the course of the nineteenth century, there was a marked increase in the number of yacht clubs in the British Empire. While it was due in part to an increase in wealth of the middle class, the social prestige associated with sailing was a factor, particularly given the association with royalty, and its promotion by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. [11] The percentage of Gibraltarians in the yacht club increased slowly during the nineteenth century. However, during the latter part of the twentieth century, as the presence of the Royal Navy waned, the membership of locals increased more substantially. [4] January 1991 marked the start of Europa 92, billed as the world's first "around the world rally," the first race of small yachts around the world. During the week prior to the start of the race, the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club gave all the participants temporary membership privileges and served as the hosting club. [12]

Twenty-first century

King George V bestowed the title "Royal" upon the Gibraltar Yacht Club in 1933. King George V 1911 color-crop.jpg
King George V bestowed the title "Royal" upon the Gibraltar Yacht Club in 1933.

The primary mission of the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club is to promote sailing in the Gibraltar area. The organisation uses Victory Class yachts and 420s; it has 17 of the Victory Class yachts. Sailors compete for a total of 21 trophies during the course of the season, from May to October. The King's Cup is the most desirable trophy, awarded for the best performance of the season in Victory Class vessels. The United Kingdom's R.A.F. Sailing Association competes annually at the club. The Tango Laser Open is the final club competition of the summer and is held annually. It includes a competition for adults that is also open to non-club members. This draws a large number of competitors from Spain such as the yacht club of La Línea, across the border. [2] [5] [13]

The fifteenth annual Gibraltar Regatta was organised by the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club and sponsored by Beck's and the Gibraltar Sports and Leisure Authority. The event took place in the Bay of Gibraltar on the weekend of the 29th through 31 July 2011. Participants registered in one of four divisions, with awards given to the first three vessels in each division. An additional award was given to the vessel with the shortest elapsed time in the "Round the Rock" competition. [14] In 2012, the Gibraltar Regatta was held the weekend of 28 and 29 July. [15]

The club's sailing academy was founded in May 2001 and, in 2004, it was credentialed by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) as a teaching facility. The Teaching Centre is staffed by volunteers and financially supported by the yacht club. [2] [16] Lessons run from March to November, and are available to both members and nonmembers of the RGYC. [16] Neophytes take a one-week introductory course during the summer, with three such weeks available every year. [2] [16] In 2004, the club also became an RYA training facility for powerboating. Six years later, in 2010, the club became an ICC testing centre for both sailing and powerboating. Registrants can earn an International Certificate of Competence. [17]

The eleventh annual Gibraltar Day was held in London on 18 October 2010. The front cover of the twelve page brochure distributed to those attending Gibraltar Day featured a colour photograph of Victory Class vessels of the Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club in the Bay of Gibraltar. [18] The club participated in the 2011 Festival of the Seas, a fundraiser. [19]

December 2008 was the last time that club members were able to set sail from the club. [20] In early 2009, sand dredged from the seabed along the east side of Gibraltar was utilised to reclaim land in front of the yacht club. The project has been referred to as the Rooke reclamation or mid-harbour reclamation. [21] [22] The club relocated from 26 Queensway [23] to temporary premises at 2 Queensway after the reclamation. [20] [24] Temporary mooring sites for the club were built behind what had been a Ministry of Defence health facility. [25] The construction company Profield Contractors won the contract to construct a new club house and associated facilities on Coaling Island. [26] In July 2011, it was announced that the government had included £1.5 million in the year's budget for relocation of the club. Their new location on Coaling Island was formerly a Ministry of Defence site for the Boat Squadron.</ref> In 2012, the Government of Gibraltar solicited bids for the "Proposed Marine Works at the New Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club Phase 1, Sea Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh facilities." [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowes Week</span> Sailing regatta

Cowes Week is one of the longest-running regular regattas in the world. With 40 daily sailing races, up to 1,000 boats, and 8,000 competitors ranging from Olympic and world-class professionals to weekend sailors, it is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world. Having started in 1826, the event is held in August each year on the Solent, and is run by Cowes Week Limited in the small town of Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Yacht Squadron</span> British sailing club

The Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) is a British yacht club. Its clubhouse is Cowes Castle on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom. Member yachts are given the suffix RYS to their names, and are permitted to wear the White Ensign of the Royal Navy rather than the merchant Red Ensign worn by the majority of other UK registered vessels. The club's patron was Queen Elizabeth II.

Boat racing is a sport in which boats, or other types of watercraft, race on water. Boat racing powered by oars is recorded as having occurred in ancient Egypt, and it is likely that people have engaged in races involving boats and other water-borne craft for as long as such watercraft have existed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Yacht Club</span> Yacht club in New Orleans

The Southern Yacht Club is located in New Orleans, Louisiana's West End neighborhood, on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Established on July 21, 1849, it is the fifth oldest yacht club in the United States and a founding member of the Gulf Yachting Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Cork Yacht Club</span> Irelands first and oldest yacht club

The Royal Cork Yacht Club is a yacht club located in Crosshaven, County Cork, Ireland. Founded in 1720, it is a claimant to the title of the world's oldest yacht club, although this is challenged by the Neva Yacht Club in Russia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Bombay Yacht Club</span> Boating association in India

The Royal Bombay Yacht Club (RBYC) is one of the premier gentlemen's clubs which was founded in 1846 in Colaba, an area of Mumbai in India. The building was designed by John Adams, who also designed the nearby Royal Alfred Sailors' Homes, and was completed in 1896.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Thames Yacht Club</span> Sailing association in the United Kingdom

The Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) is the oldest continuously operating yacht club in the world, and the oldest yacht club in the United Kingdom. Its headquarters are located at 60 Knightsbridge, London, England, overlooking Hyde Park. The club's purpose is "to provide the members with outstanding yacht cruising, racing and social opportunities in the UK and internationally, building on the club's unique heritage, central London facilities and close reciprocal relationships with other leading yacht clubs around the world."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yachting Association of Sri Lanka</span>

Yachting Association of Sri Lanka (YASL) is recognised by the International Sailing Federation as the governing body for the sport of sailing in Sri Lanka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Montgomery (broadcaster)</span> New Zealand sports broadcaster

Peter John "PJ" Montgomery is a New Zealand sports broadcaster. His work has covered many sports, but he is best known as "The Voice of the America's Cup" on New Zealand and International radio and television. He is often remembered for "The America's Cup is now New Zealand's Cup", his summary when New Zealand won their first America's Cup in San Diego in 1995. The line was voted the most memorable sporting commentary moment in history by the Sunday Star Times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marina Bay, Gibraltar</span> Port in Gibraltar

Marina Bay is the largest of three marinas in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. It is located in the Bay of Gibraltar, between the North Mole of Gibraltar Harbour and the runway of Gibraltar International Airport. Marina Bay and the adjacent Ocean Village Marina together have been incorporated into the Ocean Village Project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queensway Quay Marina, Gibraltar</span> Port in Gibraltar

The Queensway Quay Marina is one of three marinas in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. The yachting facility is located at the eastern aspect of the middle section of Gibraltar Harbour. It is the site of what may be the oldest wharf in Gibraltar, Ragged Staff Wharf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosia Bay</span> Port in Gibraltar

Rosia Bay is the only natural harbour in Gibraltar, the British Overseas Territory at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. Formerly referred to as Rosia Harbour, it is located on the southwest side of Gibraltar. Rosia Bay was the site of the Royal Navy Victualling Yard complex which was constructed in the early 19th century, allowing vessels to anchor and obtain provisions, including food and water. Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson obtained supplies for his Mediterranean Fleet at Rosia Bay. It was to that same anchorage that his vessel HMS Victory was towed after Nelson's death in the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. The area is also the location of gun batteries, including Parson's Lodge Battery at the south end of the bay and Napier of Magdala Battery at the north end. In the 21st century, Rosia Bay was the focus of controversy following the government's demolition of the historic Rosia Water Tanks and construction of the affordable housing development Nelson's View, which necessitated the relocation of the owners of the adjacent 19th century Rosia Cottages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Profield Contractors</span>

Profield Contractors, also referred to as Profield Contractors Ltd, is a Gibraltar-based construction company founded in 1989. The company has worked on a number of general construction and civil engineering projects in Gibraltar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Naval Hospital Gibraltar</span> Hospital in Europa Road, Gibraltar

The Royal Naval Hospital Gibraltar (RNH Gibraltar), formerly the British Military Hospital Gibraltar (BMH Gibraltar), was a military hospital founded c. 1903 to provide healthcare for British military personnel and local sailors. The facility, located on Europa Road in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar's South District, comprised three buildings. The hospital was transferred to the Royal Navy in 1963. It closed in 2008, and underwent residential conversion that began prior to the hospital's closure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Calpe Hunt</span>

The Royal Calpe Hunt of the British Crown Colony of Gibraltar originated in 1812 as the Civil Hunt. The fox hunt was initially a civilian endeavour that began when a pair of English foxhounds were imported to Gibraltar. The hunts took place across the border, in the Campo de Gibraltar area of Spain. However, in 1814, the membership of the Hunt underwent a substantial change. Many officers of the Gibraltar garrison joined the Hunt, which shifted from a civilian to a military enterprise. That year, the name was changed to the Civil Calpe Hunt. It retained that title until 1817, after which it was known as the Calpe Hunt. The first Master of the Hunt was Charles Elphinstone Fleeming. However, the Master most associated with the Hunt was Pablo Larios, Marquis of Marzales, who held that title for forty-five years. His election to that position in 1891 was not only historic, but strategic. His appointment represented only the second time that the position had not been filled by a member of the military. In addition, his Spanish heritage and influence in the Campo de Gibraltar, where he owned extensive estates, garnered him the loyalty of the local Spanish farmers, and therefore eased the ever-present tensions between the military and the farmers over the crop damage that was inherent to the Hunt. In 1906, King Edward VII of the United Kingdom and King Alfonso XIII of Spain became joint Patrons of the Hunt, after which it was known as the Royal Calpe Hunt. The tradition of the Hunt continued for more than a century, until 1939, and the onset of the Second World War

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Edward's Gate</span>

Prince Edward's Gate is a city gate at the entrance to Prince Edward's Road in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. It cuts through Charles V Wall, one of the 16th century fortifications of Gibraltar at the former southern limit of the city. The gate is adjacent to the west wall of the Flat Bastion, another 16th-century fortification. The gate was named after Prince Edward, the future Duke of Kent, and was opened in 1790, the same year the prince arrived at Gibraltar as commander of the 7th Regiment of Foot. While the gate now has a limited role in the defence of Gibraltar, it continues to provide vehicular and pedestrian access through Charles V Wall. Prince Edward's Gate is listed with the Gibraltar Heritage Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southport Gates</span>

The Southport Gates are three city gates in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. They are located in the Charles V Wall, one of the 16th century fortifications of Gibraltar. The gates are clustered together, with the South Bastion to the west, and the Trafalgar Cemetery to the east. The first and second Southport Gates were constructed at present day Trafalgar Road in 1552 and 1883, respectively. The third gate, Referendum Gate, is the widest of the three and was constructed in 1967 at Main Street, immediately west of the first two gates. The Southport Gates are listed with the Gibraltar Heritage Trust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Streets in Gibraltar</span>

Streets in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar are represented by road signs as in the United Kingdom. As of 2007, Gibraltar has a network of 29 kilometres (18 mi) of roads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King's Bastion</span>

King's Bastion is a coastal bastion on the western front of the fortifications of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, protruding from the Line Wall Curtain. It is located between Line Wall Road and Queensway and overlooks the Bay of Gibraltar. It played a crucial role in defending The Rock during the Great Siege of Gibraltar. In more recent history the bastion was converted into a generating station which powered Gibraltar's electricity needs. Today it continues to serve the community as Gibraltar's leisure centre.

The Royal Madras Yacht Club (RMYC) is a yacht club in Chennai, India. The RMYC was founded by Sir Francis Spring in 1911. It was the first sailing club in southern India, and was originally based in what was called the Timber Pond area of Madras Harbour. Soon after its founding the club was granted royal patronage by George V, and it became one of the most prestigious sporting and social clubs in British India. Today the club is located at Springhaven Wharf, named after its founder.

References

  1. ↑ "List of Crown Dependencies & Overseas Territories". fco.gov.uk. Foreign and Commonwealth Office . Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "The Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club" (PDF). Rock Talk (2): 10–11. July 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  3. ↑ "Most Ancient Clubs". rbc.se. The Royal Bachelors' Club. Archived from the original on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 E.G. Archer (10 February 2006). Gibraltar, Identity and Empire (illustrated ed.). Psychology Press. p. 191. ISBN   9780415347969 . Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  5. 1 2 Winchester, Simon (15 June 2004). Outposts: Journeys to the Surviving Relics of the British Empire (reprint ed.). HarperCollins. pp. 99–100. ISBN   9780060598617 . Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  6. ↑ Gilbard, Lieutenant Colonel George James (1888). A popular history of Gibraltar, its institutions, and its neighbourhood on both sides of the straits, and a guide book to their principal places and objects of interest. Garrison Library. p. 168. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  7. ↑ Alice Mascarenhas (13 June 2012). "A 'Great Day', Royals Visit The Heart Of Old Gibraltar". Gibraltar Chronicle . Archived from the original on 13 February 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  8. ↑ "French Sailors Cheer Queen". Glasgow Herald . 10 May 1954. p. 7. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  9. ↑ Hardman, Robert (3 April 2012). Her Majesty: The Court of Queen Elizabeth II. Open Road Media. ISBN   9781453249185 . Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  10. ↑ "The History of Gibraltar - continuation of the 2nd Century under British rule". gibraltarinformation.com. Gibraltarinformation.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  11. ↑ Simpson, A. W. Brian; Simpson, Brian (2 August 2003). Cannibalism and Common Law: A Victorian Yachting Tragedy (reprint, illustrated ed.). Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 14. ISBN   9781852852009 . Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  12. ↑ Cornell, Jimmy (1993). Around the World Rally (illustrated ed.). Sheridan House, Inc. pp. 1, 14. ISBN   9780924486470 . Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  13. ↑ "Laser Tango Sailing Event". rgyc.gi. Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "Beck's XV Gibraltar Regatta" (PDF). rgyc.gi. RGYC, sponsored by Beck's and Gibraltar Sports and Leisure Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  15. ↑ "RGYC 2012 SAILING SEASON". rgyc.gi. Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 "School History". rgyc.gi. Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  17. ↑ "Power boating in Gibraltar". rgyc.gi. Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  18. ↑ "Gibraltar Day". Gibraltar Chronicle. 5 October 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  19. ↑ "Gibraltar's Festival of the Seas is talk of the town". easier.com. Easier Inc. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  20. 1 2 "RGYC Dinghy Fleet - RS Tera". rgyc.gi. Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  21. ↑ "Sandy Bay Beach Forever Lost?". VOX - The Truly Independent Gibraltar Newspaper. 10 April 2009. Archived from the original on 7 January 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  22. ↑ "The Victory Class". rgyc.gi. Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  23. ↑ "Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club - Gibraltar". blueoceanyachting.com. blueocean yachting.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  24. ↑ "Contact Us". rgyc.gi. Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  25. ↑ F Oliva (26 March 2009). "Boat Owners Criticise Relocation Delays". Gibraltar Chronicle. Archived from the original on 14 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  26. ↑ "Current Projects". profield.gi. Profield Contractors Ltd. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  27. ↑ "Official Notice" (PDF). gibraltar.gov.gi. Government of Gibraltar. 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.