Royal Thames Yacht Club, London – regattas, sailing school and history

Overview

The Royal Thames Yacht Club traces its start to the Cumberland Fleet, whose first race for a silver cup was sailed on the Thames from Westminster Bridge to Putney Bridge and back in July 1775, which makes it one of the oldest yacht clubs in the world. The club has its London clubhouse at 60 Knightsbridge and does its sailing in the Solent and on Queen Mary Reservoir, where it keeps a fleet of 12 Sonars for autumn and winter racing; from April to October it races J/70s based in Cowes. Its race management team runs more than 80 days of fleet and team racing a year, the RTYC Academy fields under-26 team racing crews on the national Firefly circuit, and members keep yachts on club pontoons in the Hamble and at Cowes.

Founded: 1775
Members: about 1,800 (club figure)
Federation: Royal Yachting Association
Phone: +44 20 7235 2121

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Regattas and series

Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.

RTYC 250th Anniversary Regattaregatta at Cowes in June 2025 marking the club's 250th anniversary
RTYC fleet and team racing programmemore than 80 race days a year: J/70s in the Solent April–October, Sonars on Queen Mary Reservoir in autumn and winter

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Sailing school and courses

RTYC Academy (team racing for members aged 26 and under) ↗

Boat classes

J/70SonarFirefly

History and achievements

1775The Cumberland Fleet publishes its first notice of race (6 July) for a silver cup sailed from Westminster Bridge to Putney Bridge and back
1823After the Coronation Sailing Society race, most members form the Thames Yacht Club
1842The club sets up a Solent base at the Medina Hotel, East Cowes
1854The club introduces the Thames Measurement system for yacht tonnage
1911The first European International Regatta is held at Spithead in August
1946Shore House at Warsash becomes the centre of the club's sailing
1963The new club premises in Knightsbridge open in December
1973The club joins the race management of Cowes Week
1996The RTYC Academy is formed for talented younger members
2009The club buys the RYA's former J/80 fleet jointly with the Royal Yacht Squadron
2025A regatta at Cowes in June marks the club's 250th anniversary

Location

Position: 51°30.14′ N 0°9.55′ W
51.50239, -0.15916
Address: 60 Knightsbridge

Frequently asked

Can I learn to sail here?

Yes. The club lists these courses: RTYC Academy (team racing for members aged 26 and under).

When was Royal Thames Yacht Club founded?

In 1775.

Which regattas does the club run?

According to the club website, among others: RTYC 250th Anniversary Regatta and RTYC fleet and team racing programme.