Royal Suva Yacht Club

The Suva Yacht Club was established in 1932 but believed to have been formed earlier. It was formed by a small group headed by T.M. Mcquire, later elected as the club’s first Commodore. Members of the club were initially British officials at the time but later I-taukei and Indo-Fijians were admitted to its ranks.The first official race was held in the Suva Harbour in 1932.

In 1937 the first phase of the club was built in the heart of Suva City possibly around the present post office near the wharf. The property where the club is situated previously belonged to the Suvavou villagers.  Today it is State land.

The club was moved to its present location on Walu Bay in 1948. The first gala ball was then organised to celebrate this new site. Construction of the new site was completed in August 1948.

In 1949 H.M.S. Viti was sold to the Tasman Steamship Trading Co. and the ‘coat of arms’ was presented to the Suva Yacht Club.

His Majesty King George the Sixth of Great Britain granted approval in 1950 for the club to include the word “Royal” in its name.

In 1956 the club hosted the Biennial Royal Auckland to Suva Race.

In 1964 Former Flight Lieutenant C. Don Aidney who served in WWII became Commodore until 1967.  Aidney was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The first meeting of the RSYC Fishing Game was held in 1974. In the same year, “The Dove” film was produced by US actor Gregory Peck and featured the club.

The club celebrated its 50th Golden Jubilee in 1982.

A celebration of 60 years of safe harbour was held in 1989 and the club also hosted the Auckland-Suva-Guam-Japan race.

A sailing regatta was held in 1994 as part of the first “Fiji Games”.

In 1998 the club’s sailors participated in a regatta in New Caledonia.

In 1999 the club hosted the Coffs Harbour-Suva race and the Auckland-Suva-Guam-Japan race. RSYC Junior Sailor, Alex Phillips, also won a silver medal at the Guam South Pacific Games the same year.

In 2003 Phillips’ team, called “The Laser Sailors”, won gold in the Fiji South Pacific Games.

In 2004 Vice Patron Robin Storck, a past commodore, was appointed as official historian for the club.

In 2005 the oldest living founding member Mr Hugh Ragg passed away at 100 years old. The 50th anniversary of sailing to the islands was celebrated the same year (Auckland – Suva race) The club also hosted the first President’s Yachting Regatta in 2005.

It celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2007. Vice Patron Cecil D. Aidney (the flight lieutenant who fought in WWII) passed away the same year.

In 2017 the current Commodore Peter Watts was elected

Popular Hollywood film “Adrift” is released. It was filmed at the RSYC.