RNYC Sailing
The RNYC is an active and vibrant bluewater yacht club with mid-week and weekend racing on offer.
Wesnesday evening sundowner social sailing in the summer months attracts good fleets which battle it out for supremacy on the waters of Durban Harbour, after which all crews head back to the Club for a welcome drink and prize-giving party.
Dinghy racing takes place in the harbour on Saturday afternoons, and keelboat racing at sea on Sunday’s.
Regattas are generally held on long weekend, while races to Mozambique and Mauritius are organised.
For those wanting to enter the sport, the Club is a good place in which to find a crewing berth as boat owners, skippers and crew are always around and always looking for new hands.
Those who prefer to assist in sailing events rather than getting involved in the cut-and thrust of racing can volunteer their services and assist on rescue and bridge boats. This is often a stepping stone to a new interest and passion for the sea and sailing.
After a day’s sail there are always interesting and amusing anecdotes being told around the ‘teak reef’ by some crusty seasoned sailors. It’s the place to be to find a berth and realise your dream of a life on the ocean waves!
The RNYC is a shareholder in Durban Marina, with membership of the club permitting one to purchase a mooring through Durban Marina, one of the largest recreational marinas in Africa, right alongside the RNYC.
Opening Cruise Durban Harbour - 16 September 2012 by Sophie Thompson
Durban sailors dusted off their gear eagerly ahead of the 2012/2013 summer sailing season, taking part in the joint Opening Cruise hosted by the Royal Natal Yacht Club in glorious spring weather in the Durban Harbour yesterday (Sunday).
The Commodore of the Royal Natal Yacht Club, Richard Crockett was joined by Point Yacht Clubs’ Commodore, Trevor Donald; they stood alongside fellow dignitaries, the Speaker of the eThekwini Municipality, Logie Naidoo and the NSRI Station Commander, Clifford Ireland all standing to attention taking the salute.
In admiration of their recent victory at the 2012 Lipton Challenge Cup the Curry Cup of sailing, heroes in the Durban sailing community, skipper Ricky Robinson, and his crew Brennan Robinson, Jof Heathcote, Sean Van Rensburg, William Crockett and team manager Gregg Dobson were guests of honour during the opening ceremony. The young team dethroned False Bay Yacht Club’s Andre Giovanni and returned the cup to warmer waters after it was last here in 1984 and last won by the Royal Natal Yacht Club 39 years ago.
An array of yachts all participated in the traditional sail past; the procession was led by the Honorary Commodore, Willy Vandeverre on the yacht Kimaya, beautifully dressed for the occasion. The flotilla followed in a single line with the NSRI, club safety vessels and the recently elected Rear Commodores from adjoining clubs concluding the ceremonies.
In passing, the 45 yachts greeted the VIPs on board the main yacht with three cheers raising their hats, the salutation was heartily returned.
28 boats remained after the formalities to stretch their legs in a social race where the yachts competed in a light easterly chasing around a triangular course set in the harbour. The race was started on mass and was led from the start by Nigel Miln on Skitzo.
Positions across the line
1 Skitzo (Nigel Miln), 2 Choose Life High Performance Sailing Incognito (Byron Watt), 3 Ladybird (Andrew Dolloway), 4 Bellatrix (Gregg Hurter), 5 Flying Spaghetti Monster (Mike Pammenter), 6 Bandit (Sean Jones), 7 Prodigy (Chris Frost), 8 Choose Life High Performance Sailing Element (Jay De Engel), 9 Stoked (Struan Campbell), 10 Therapy (Gavin Wadsworth)