Overview
The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron was founded in 1862 and has its clubhouse and waterfront at Kirribilli on Sydney Harbour, looking across Careening Cove to the city. It is a private members' club with a long racing record: it ran the earliest recorded offshore race out of Sydney, to Newcastle and back in 1864, and has hosted world championships for the Etchells, Farr 40, Yngling, 5.5 Metre and Flying Dutchman classes. Its Sailing Academy, running since 1960, starts children in Tackers Optimists and moves them through Optimist, ILCA and RS Feva squads to the Elliott 7 youth keelboat and match-racing programs. Each year the Squadron runs the Hardy Cup international youth match-racing regatta and the Hardy Shield, plus club keelboat racing on the harbour.
- Founded
- 1862
- Federation
- Australian Sailing
- front@rsys.com.au
- Phone
- +61 2 9955 7171
- Registry code
- ABN 40 000 002 693
On the water with VesselSOS
- Family see you from shoreA live link in any browser – they don’t need the app.
- One tap to the right rescue centreThe app finds the rescue centre for where you are, with your position and call script even without signal.
- Return-time checkIf you’re not back in time, your people know.
- Shared hazard mapRocks, nets and other hazards reported by other boaters.
Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- Hardy Cupinternational U23 youth match-racing regatta in Elliott 7s on Sydney Harbour, World Sailing Grade 3, held since 2001
- Hardy Shield Open Regattaopen match-racing regatta
- Etchells Milson Silver Gobletsthe Squadron's Etchells regatta
- Ladies of the Sea Coaching Regattacoaching regatta for women sailors
- Sydney to Newcastleoffshore race to Newcastle with the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club for IRC yachts of 15 m and over, revived in 2026 after the 1864 original; sailed for the Xarifa Tray
- Australia Cup (TP52 & Super 40 Regatta)five days of TP52 and Super 40 racing on the harbour, run by RSYS for the Australian TP52 Sailing Association
- Sydney Harbour Women's Keelboat Series
- Combined Clubs Inshore Series
Live map, a start clock on every phone and results — when the club runs a race on VesselSOS Racing, it shows up here. Racing is a pilot with clubs for the 2027 season.
No race running right nowSee VesselSOS RacingSailing school and courses
- Tackers (ages 7–12, Optimist) ↗
- OutThere teenager holiday camps (Elliott 7 keelboats) ↗
- Adult discover sailing (keelboats and dinghies) ↗
- Youth dinghy squads: Green Fleet, Optimist, ILCA, RS Feva ↗
- Youth Keelboat Development Program (14–18) ↗
- Match Racing Program (18–25) ↗
- Australian Sailing powerboat and safety boat courses ↗
Boat classes
History and achievements
- 1862The Squadron is founded and holds its first race
- 1864Runs the earliest recorded offshore yacht race out of Sydney, from Fort Denison to Newcastle and back
- 1960The RSYS Sailing Academy is established
- 2000The Squadron Keelboat Program starts
- 2001First Hardy Cup youth match-racing regatta
- 2026The Sydney to Newcastle offshore race is revived with the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club
Location
- Position
- 33°50.89′ S 151°13.17′ E
-33.84813, 151.21945 - Address
- 33 Peel Street
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Tackers (ages 7–12, Optimist), OutThere teenager holiday camps (Elliott 7 keelboats), Adult discover sailing (keelboats and dinghies), Youth dinghy squads: Green Fleet, Optimist, ILCA, RS Feva and Youth Keelboat Development Program (14–18).
When was Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron founded?
In 1862.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: Hardy Cup, Hardy Shield Open Regatta, Etchells Milson Silver Goblets and Ladies of the Sea Coaching Regatta.