HISTORY

The RCIYC is the sixth oldest Royal Yacht Club in the world.

The designation "Royal" was granted to the ‘Jersey Yacht and Rowing Club’ by her Majesty Queen Victoria in 1862.

A year later, the Board of Admiralty issued a warrant authorising the Club to wear the Blue Ensign.

In 1869, by royal sanction, it became the ‘Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club.’

Today, you’ll notice that our clubroom and restaurant proudly reflect the colours of our ensign and burgee, such an important part of its history. And what a history!

Thanks to Antarctic explorer Sir Vivian Fuchs ours was the first yacht club burgee to reach the South Pole.

Actress Lillie Langtry (The Jersey Lily) was the first female member of the Club 1892

Around that time our most distinguished commodore was Sir William Venables Vernon, a keen sailor whose yacht Wyvern was the last built in St Aubin. He was Bailiff for 32 years at the beginning of the 20th century.

Another famous commodore, in 1937, was Thomas Benjamin Davis, owner of the Westward which he raced against Britannia, owned by his friend King George V.

And, in June 1940, when the British Government called on Jersey to help evacuate the British Expeditionary Force from St Malo, club members were there.

And so the story continues...

general committee

General control of the Club is vested in the General Committee which meets on the third Wednesday of each month. During the course of this meeting the General Committee will consider any applications for Membership of the Club.

FLAG OFFICERS:

• Commodore: James Wilding

• Vice Commodore: Kevin Newman

• Rear Commodore: Jeremy Swetenham

• Honorary Secretary: Alex Ohlsson 

• Honorary Sailing Secretary: William Harris

• Honorary Treasurer: Gina Seddon

General Committee Members:

James Wilding, Kevin Newman, Jeremy Swetenham, Alexander Ohlsson, Gina Seddon, William Harris, Hilary Ann Ratazzi, Paul Dentskevich, Paul Johnson, Richard Hunt, Chris Deahl, Rebecca Gueno, Tom Newman, Nigel Philpott, Sonia Le Noa, Oliver Voak