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Royal Victoria Yacht Club celebrates 180th anniversary

The Royal Victoria Yacht Club (RVYC) has celebrated its 180th anniversary. The milestone was marked at the Fishbourne clubhouse over the weekend of June 28 and 29 with a series of events, including a regatta sponsored by Mermaid Gin and featuring races for all types of craft. Advertisement Established on May 24, 1845, RVYC boasts a rich history, having hosted the 1908 Olympic yacht races for Eight Metre, Seven Metre, and Six Metre yachts. The club's journey has not always been smooth. RVYC previous commodores. (L-R) Steve Warren Smith, Alan Colville, Nigel Talbot, Tony Pope, Helen Vrba, Babs Wise, Ian Murray, Chris Rickman, Ian Vallender. (Not present – Andrew Porteous, John Clack and Steve Sheridan). (Image: RVYC) Social changes post-war led to challenging times, with the club facing the brink of closure. However, a merger in 1961 with Fishbourne Sailing Club and Wootton Creek Sailing Club revitalised the institution, leading to a new clubhouse being opened in Fishbourne in 1962 by Prince Philip. Advertisement Today, the RVYC is thriving, boasting a flourishing cadet section, an expanding fleet of MOCRA multi-hulls and Scows, and a growing membership. The club, which weathered the Covid lockdowns, welcomed HRH The Princess Royal in 2021 for its 175th anniversary. The RVYC remains a popular venue for open events and rallies, holding a prime position at the mouth of Wootton Creek with views across the Solent. On June 28, the regatta was followed by a barbecue and live music from The Accelerators, long-time favourites at the RVYC. The celebrations continued on June 29 with a welcome from Commodore Helen Vrba to visiting commodores from Brading Haven YC, Sea View YC and East Cowes Sailing Club, as well as some of the RVYC's longest-serving members. Advertisement A highlight was the celebration sail-past of members' boats, which was described as a spectacular sight. Vessels ranging from large cruisers and multi-hulls to paddleboards, rowing skiffs, and even two swan pedalos participated, sweeping past the pontoon to take the salute before heading out to sea. The weekend's celebrations concluded with afternoon tea on the lawn and a toast by former Commodore Alan Colville, celebrating both the club's past and its future. The RVYC, although transformed from its Victorian and Edwardian heyday, retains artefacts from its rich history on display in the clubhouse, a reminder of its prestigious past.