Advertising feature:
THE Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) is one of Queensland’s oldest and most prestigious competitive racing, recreational sailing and cruising clubs.
The squadron was established in 1885 and hasa long history of successfully supporting the vibrant marine-sports community on the bayside and encouraging life-long participation in sailing as a sport.
RQYS has something for everyone. Sailors at all levels visit to enjoy sailing on Moreton Bay from beginners in Optimists and Elliott6s, juniors in dinghies, families in yachts and powerboats to elite athletes competing with distinction in class championships at International and Olympic events.
The squadron has enjoyed another successful year with consistent membership growth and a positive trend of members transferring to on-water or full categories. The squadron's membership community remains strong with growth and retention seeing 4250 members belonging to the RQYS community.
In the last five years, full, full-spouse, crew and junior membership have experienced considerable growth at 38 per cent. Social members are opting to take advantage of the many participation pathways and are increasingly transferring to full and on-water categories at a rate of 68 per cent.
The RQYS sailing academy again exceeds best ever enrollment numbers. RQYS is committed to developing competitive and just for fun programs such as the McGrath Development Squad, Adventure Sailing plus member-led programs like the Keelboat Bridging Program and Etchells Youth Development Program.
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This Manly Summer of Sailing was the squadron's biggest collection of regattas this decade with six major national championships back-to-back. The squadron hosted about 5000 competitors, families, staff, supporters, spectators and attendees over one month.
Coming away from a summer in the sport, there's an equally big year to look forward to. The sailing calendar is marked by two major sailing events this year including the Brisbane to Noumea Race and Rally in June and the 2018 Etchells World Championships in October.
These are complimented by the signature annual events such as the Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race and Musto Queensland Youth Week which will see sailors competing through winter.
The Squadron is a premier location for both wet and dry boat storage owing to the expansive and diverse marina (berths of varying sizes to suit any vessel), accessible marina facilities and services, amenities in multiple locations, four boat ramps and on-site seven day a week hospitality services.
RQYS has an active social calendar and wonderful clubhouse facilities.