In the beginning an informal group of sailors organised Squib racing. It was this group of sailors who decided to start a yacht club. After a number of informal meetings, the name British Virgin Islands Yacht Club was chosen and on 25th July 1973 the Club was officially formed with members of the first committee elected under Commodore Peter L Wright. Initial membership was recorded as 76 ‘hearty souls’.
The Club initially used #14 apartment at the Waterfront for its functions, but with membership climbing, a more permanent clubhouse was needed. After a short stay at the Harbour Lights restaurant, the Club moved back to Fort Burt where Charlie and Ginny Carey, founders of The Moorings, had leased rooms for their fledgling charter company from the hotel and allowed the yacht club use of their facilities.
In 1975, a two-story houseboat owned by Little Dix Bay Resort came on the market and after careful examination it was considered to be adaptable for the needs of the Club. The houseboat was purchased in partnership with the Angling Club and towed down from Virgin Gorda to its new home in the Careening Hole where Road Reef Marina is now. At last, the BVIYC had permanent premises, or so it was thought. Four years later the houseboat was destroyed by Hurricane Frederic. The relationship with the Angling Club continued and the BVI Rugby Club also came into the fold in the 1980s. All three sports had busy competition and social agendas at home and overseas and naturally some friendly inter-club rivalries as well.
In 1979 the Club leased a property between the pub and the Waterfront Apartments. It was a worthy location and included a concrete jetty adjoining the property where members could berth their boats and the Club stored the fleet of dinghies. An opening party was held on the 12th October and members enjoyed this ideal location for nearly a decade.
The Club continued seeking a permanent home and after a brief return to Fort Burt Hotel the solution was finally found. In 1990 approval was granted for the lease of land at Road Reef and the process of designing and building a club house began. Member and keen angler, Roger Downing, an architect by trade, took on the design of the new building. The new clubhouse was officially opened on the 30th of June 1993 by then BVI Chief Minister, H. Lavity Stoutt.
In 1974 the Club’s membership of the Royal Yachting Association and the West Indies Yachting Association (now Caribbean Sailing Association) was approved. Membership of the IYRU (now World Sailing) followed in 1980 and this important recognition established the Club as the National Governing Body for sailing in the BVI. BVI sailors are therefore able to compete for their country at the highest profile regattas including the Olympic Games, Pan Am Games, World Championships and Regional Games.
In January 2000 a royal warrant was granted in HM Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year Honours List. The BVI Yacht Club became The Royal British Virgin Islands Yacht Club.
To purchase your copy of “BVI Sailing – CELEBRATING 50 YEARS”, contact The Royal BVI Yacht Club – [email protected].
