Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club
Mid-harbour reclamation (center) prompted construction of new RGYC on Coaling Island (left)
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| Abbreviation | RGYC |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1829 |
| Purpose | Promotion of Sailing |
| Headquarters |
Coaling Island (under construction) |
| Location | |
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Formerly called
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Gibraltar Yacht Club |
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.
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. It was one of the first yacht clubs to be founded outside of Britain; the Singapore Yacht Club was established three years earlier. 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. During the late nineteenth century, those who wanted to register their yachts with the Gibraltar Yacht Club required approval of the Governor of Gibraltar.
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