The Royal Madras Yacht Club as founded by Sir Francis Spring, the first Chairman of the Madras Port Trust in 1911, then it was known as the Madras Sailing Club. The Club was accorded ‘Royal’ status by a Warrant from the Sovereign of the United Kingdom and the name was changed to ‘The Royal Madras Yacht Club’

The apex sailing national body – Yachting Association of India was formed in 1960 and the same year RMYC was affiliated to it. The highly decorated Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw  laid the foundation stone of the Club House
in Jan 1981.

It is a matter of pride that RMYC is the first accredited training of YAI (Yachting Association of India) in South India and meets their high standards. With a YAI certified sailing Instructor, actively promotes sailing among the beginners and honing the skills of the experienced sailors. They have won many a international and national medals over the last 100 years and held many a Regatta here at Chennai every year.

RMYC is the only Club in India to have a fleet of boats comprising Optimists, Lasers, Enterprise, Water Wags, Omega, 420 Class, 29ers, Seabirds, variety of motor boats and J80 sailing boats. The J80 is a contemporary boat and RMYC is the only Club in India to have a fleet of four such boats.  RMYC caters to every age group from 6 years to 90 years for hobby and professional sailing.

Sailing is a clean, eco friendly and zero pollution sport. It helps build awareness of the environment. Children who sail young also learn to be responsible. They take part in the coastal clean-up each year.

The Club also conducts regular heritage walks, showcasing the rich heritage of the Chennai Port as well as the Club. Sports Fishing is another hobby which is becoming very popular. The fish is caught, picture taken and released back into the sea. Regular pelagic trips and dolphin spotting trips are also undertaken.

During the Chennai floods the Club provided rescue and relief operations in all the affected areas and organized large quantities of relief material and co-ordinated with the Services for distribution of the same. Similarly during the oil spill off Ennore, 800 volunteers were organised to clean up the beaches and oil
affected areas.

The committee has a vision to make sailing and all water sports activities more popular in Tamilnadu-which is blessed with a great coastline, beaches and ports. Fishermen’s children are also being taught sailing since they take naturally to water. To popularize water sports many sailing events and publicity campaigns are being planned in the coming days.

Over the last hundred years having fun on the waters has been RMYC’s motto and will continue to be so as we sail passionately beyond the Centenary mark…

Achievements of Royal Madras Yacht Club over the last few years

420 Nationals held every year since 2008 and the Centenary Regatta is in 2010.

Miss Rohini Rau won an Asian Gold Medal in the 420 Class.

Miss Rohini Rau & Miss Pallavi Shanbhag won Gold in 420 Nationals in 2008 & 2009.

Ajay Rau is the only Indian to win laurels in the prestigious Rolex Sydney Hobart Race in
Australia.

Miss Zephra Currimbhoy was 1st among the girls in the Optimist, Gold at the Invitation Cup at Mumbai Regatta and ranked 6th at the Asian Games 2010.

Miss Zephra and Miss Meaghnaa finished 1st in the 420 Nationals 2012.

Abhimanyu Panwar won Gold twice in the
Laser Radial Nationals Youth U-19.

Chennai Heritage Sail in 2011 highlighted to the public, for the first time, the rich heritage of the city viewed from boats sailing across the
Marina Beach.

Hosting and participating in Chennai Odisha Sailing Expedition by AWSA in 2011.

The Indian National Squad 2012 Has the
following From RMYC:

Miss Rohini Rau: International GOLD medallist, first among the women in the Laser Radial
preparing for the Olympics 2016.

Mr. Vir Menon: FIRST in the Laser 4.7 Selection Trials, Gold at Malaysian Open 2013

Mr. Abhimanyu Panwar: Seeded first in Laser 4.7 and in Laser Radial Youth U-19.

Mr. Shiv Rekhi & Ankit George: first in the 420 Selection Trials.

Mr Dheer Singhi Ranked 3rd in the Optimist squad and Gold at Onam Regatta 2012

Ms. Avanti Menon Within top 5 at the YAI
Selection trial in Optimist class

THE COAST GUARD SAILING CUP

The Coast Guard has introduced the Coast Guard Sailing Cup from this year apart from Golf and other promotions. RMYC will be conducted this event and their teams from the services. There were also some teams from the OTA. Seabird class of boats and helm also Race time was from 9 am to 5 pm dated 16th and 17th of Feb 2018 at RMYC inside the Chennai Port Trust.The prize distribution, cocktails and dinner was held on board a Coast Guard ship inside the Chennai Port.

The event was held in 3 classes of boats comprising 420 class, Seabird class and Omega class. RMYC  provided the boats for the event. The 420 class is in the Asian Games. The Seabird is a large boat which seats about  5 sailors out of which 2 will be at the helm and crew. And the rest enjoys the excitement.

Capt. Vivek Shanbhag,

Vice Commodore

Royal Madras Yacht Club