The Royal Escape Race was founded by and is still organised by the Sussex Yacht Club. Set in the very heart of Sussex, our club in our ever so humble opinion provides some of the best facilities, sailing and training on the South Coast. Established in 1892, the Sussex Yacht Club is one of the UK’s oldest sailing clubs and was originally named “The Mosquitos” after a famous boat of the time.

At inception the club was soley based alongside the canal in Southwick where it resided in ‘The Old Maltings’ and ‘Oast House’, buildings which were acquired in 1926 and are still in daily use. However the club fathers were looking to the future and when in the 1950’s the opportunity arose to purchase the historic Stow’s boatyard in the heart of Shoreham, they did not hesitate. By that very act of purchasing such a valuable building and plot of land the future of SYC was secured for future generations of member sailors. Today, the two clubhouses, one on the Adur riverside offering full boatyard facilities complete with hoist, and the other alongside the club moorings inside the locks of Shoreham Port are home to over 1,400 stalwart members both young and old.

Dinghy Sailing

Dinghy sailing takes place from our two sites at Southwick and Shoreham. There is organised and competitive racing all year round at sea, in the river and in the locked canal at Southwick. The dinghy section also organizes fun events and cruises in company, taking members up the River Adur or along the coast for picnics on the beach.

Family & Cadets

The not-so experienced adults and their children can begin sailing or improve initial skills in the non-tidal water of the canal on Tuesday evenings from May to August. Although no formal training qualifications are provided on these evenings, experienced sailors are always on hand for practical and verbal advice. The club always provides safety boat cover and members can make full use of the club boats  including fleets of Bosuns, Optimists and more modern craft.

Cruising & Keelboat

Our very active Cruising and Keelboat section organises a busy programme of weekend racing from March through to December. There are a number of race series providing a variety of short courses as well as longer inshore and offshore events. SCCH handicaps are offered to all, with a parallel series fiercely contested by the rapidly growing fleet that elects to race under IRC. There is also an excellent pursuit series run on Saturdays which means that keen crews can race both days of the weekend if they so wish.

The section also organizes rallies to other clubs and locations, both on the South Coast of England and on the Northern coast of France. Traditionally there is always a summer cruise which takes our members as far afield as the West Country or Channel Islands.

RYA Training

Sussex Yacht Club is a recognised RYA Training Centre providing both shore-based and  practical courses under the guidance of RYA Qualified instructors. RYA courses generally include: Dinghy Sailing, Power Boating, Instructor Training, ICC Test Centre, First Aid, VHF DSC, Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Theory and CEVNI. Classroom training takes place in our purpose built training room at Shoreham, whilst practical courses are held in the river, at sea, or in the locked canal to suit requirements and conditions.

Want to know more?

The club office is open Mon-Fri mornings all year round and both Tim and Jacqui are happy to inform those who want to know more about SYC. Can call them on 01273 464868 email secretary @ sussexyachtclub.org.uk or go online www.sussexyachtclub.org.uk