What is the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron?

The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious yacht clubs, founded in 1862 and based at Kirribilli on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour. It has a storied history at the pinnacle of the sport — leading Australia's first challenges for the America's Cup, spearheading the nation's first Admiral's Cup team, and contributing to Australia's first Olympic gold medal in sailing — and today runs strong keelboat, one-design and youth sailing programs.

When was the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron founded?

It was founded in 1862, when nineteen yachtsmen met in Sydney on 8 July 1862 to form a club originally to be called the Australian Yacht Club. It later gained its royal title and has occupied its grounds at Kirribilli, near Kirribilli House on the harbour's northern shore, since 1902. That makes it one of the oldest yacht clubs in Australia and one of the leading clubs in the world.

The RSYS is based at Kirribilli, on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour, close to Kirribilli House. Its clubhouse, marina and grounds sit on the harbour at Wudyong Point, giving it one of the most scenic and historic sailing settings in the country, right at the heart of Sydney Harbour.

What is the RSYS known for?

The RSYS is known for its long history at the top of international sailing. It led Australia's first three challenges for the America's Cup, spearheaded the country's inaugural Admiral's Cup team, and contributed to Australia's first Olympic sailing gold medal. Today it is a leading keelboat and one-design racing club, hosting major class championships and a strong youth academy on Sydney Harbour.

What classes are sailed at the RSYS?

The RSYS has a strong keelboat and one-design focus, with active fleets in classes such as the Etchells, Dragon and J/70, alongside its youth sailing academy in dinghies. As one of Sydney Harbour's premier clubs it regularly hosts state, national and international one-design championships, and its members race everything from harbour one-designs to offshore yachts.

New South Wales

Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron

The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) is one of the world's leading yacht clubs, founded in 1862 and based at Kirribilli on Sydney Harbour — with a storied history in the America's Cup, the Admiral's Cup and Olympic sailing.

Photo: Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons

2 min read

The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) is one of the world's leading yacht clubs — founded in 1862 and based at Kirribilli on Sydney Harbour. With a history that runs through the America's Cup, the Admiral's Cup and Olympic sailing, it is among the most storied names in the sport, and a cornerstone of racing on Sydney Harbour.

The club

The RSYS occupies a historic waterfront setting at Kirribilli, on the northern shore of the harbour near Kirribilli House. Its clubhouse, marina and grounds at Wudyong Point make it one of the most scenic and prestigious clubs in the country. Today it is a leading keelboat and one-design racing club with a strong youth academy, hosting major class championships on the harbour.

The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron wharf on Sydney Harbour — Kirribilli, Sydney Harbour — Photo: Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons

History

The club was founded in 1862, when nineteen yachtsmen met in Sydney on 8 July 1862 to form a club first intended to be called the Australian Yacht Club. It gained its royal title and, since 1902, has occupied its grounds at Kirribilli. Over the following century it built an extraordinary record at the top of the sport:

Leading Australia's first three challenges for the America's Cup.
Spearheading the nation's first Admiral's Cup team.
Contributing to Australia's first Olympic gold medal in sailing.

Where it sails

The RSYS races on Sydney Harbour — one of the world's great natural sailing arenas, with its shifting harbour breezes, strong tides and dramatic backdrop. The club's harbour courses host everything from twilight club racing to international championships.

Classes and racing

The club has a strong keelboat and one-design identity, with active fleets in classes such as the Etchells, Dragon and J/70, alongside a youth sailing academy in dinghies. As one of the harbour's premier clubs, it regularly hosts state, national and international one-design championships. For more on this style of racing, see our guide to one-design yacht racing.

Following the club

The RSYS publishes its racing calendar, Notices of Race and results through its official website. For the setting, see our guide to sailing in Sydney and Sydney Harbour, and the sailing terms glossary for the vocabulary of the sport.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron?: The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious yacht clubs, founded in 1862 and based at Kirribilli on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour. It has a storied history at the pinnacle of the sport — leading Australia's first challenges for the America's Cup, spearheading the nation's first Admiral's Cup team, and contributing to Australia's first Olympic gold medal in sailing — and today runs strong keelboat, one-design and youth sailing programs.
When was the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron founded?: It was founded in 1862, when nineteen yachtsmen met in Sydney on 8 July 1862 to form a club originally to be called the Australian Yacht Club. It later gained its royal title and has occupied its grounds at Kirribilli, near Kirribilli House on the harbour's northern shore, since 1902. That makes it one of the oldest yacht clubs in Australia and one of the leading clubs in the world.
Where is the RSYS?: The RSYS is based at Kirribilli, on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour, close to Kirribilli House. Its clubhouse, marina and grounds sit on the harbour at Wudyong Point, giving it one of the most scenic and historic sailing settings in the country, right at the heart of Sydney Harbour.
What is the RSYS known for?: The RSYS is known for its long history at the top of international sailing. It led Australia's first three challenges for the America's Cup, spearheaded the country's inaugural Admiral's Cup team, and contributed to Australia's first Olympic sailing gold medal. Today it is a leading keelboat and one-design racing club, hosting major class championships and a strong youth academy on Sydney Harbour.
What classes are sailed at the RSYS?: The RSYS has a strong keelboat and one-design focus, with active fleets in classes such as the Etchells, Dragon and J/70, alongside its youth sailing academy in dinghies. As one of Sydney Harbour's premier clubs it regularly hosts state, national and international one-design championships, and its members race everything from harbour one-designs to offshore yachts.

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