About
The Club.
The Royal Engineer Yacht Club (REYC) was founded in 1846 in support of the water-based activities that mattered to the Royal Engineers in their professional capacity and that they enjoyed in their free time.
As one of the oldest yacht clubs in the world the REYC has a distinguished history that includes entries in every Fastnet Race, and winning the first one, many ocean racing trophies, pivotal roles in the establishment of the Whitbread Around the World Race, many circumnavigations and an enduring commitment to introducing the challenges of sailing to serving soldiers.
As a Service charity the REYC's charter focuses its activities on developing the watermanship skills of Royal Engineers while providing recreation, excitement, fun and personal development opportunities to all involved.
Its Members.
The REYC is made up of Serving and Retired personnel from the Royal Engineers, or Sappers as we are often known. It caters for the Regular and Reserves and all of its activities are open to all ranks and levels of experience.
In addition the club encourages the participation of soldiers' families. When the club's yachts are not in use for Adventurous Training, RYA Courses or racing they are available to charter by club members and members of other affiliated Service Yacht Clubs.
The members of the club and the Royal Engineers Sports and Games fund privately fund all of the club's activities; It receives no public money beyond occasional grants for safety equipment.
Its Activities.
Today the REYC caters for all aspects of sailing from yacht racing to kite-surfing. It operates four MCA Coded charter yachts as well as a variety of sail boards, dinghies and related equipment.
The club's primary focus is on introducing novices to sailing, and then allowing them to develop to their full potential. It funds, instructs, coaches and mentors sailors from absolute beginner to Yachtmaster, dinghy racer or competitive kite-surfer.
In recent years the club has repeatedly been the Army Champions in offshore racing, has campaigned multiple entries in the UK's offshore racing circuit and amassed a wealth of silverware for its members' endeavours in inshore sports. In addition it has supported and deployed expeditions across the globe as well as running countless smaller courses and expeditions closer to home.
Last updated 22:49 on 11 December 2023