The Bristol Yacht Club was formed
in May, 1931, as an association of people interested in the sea and yachting
in particular, and its main objects were the promotion and encouragement
of the sport of yachting in all its aspects.
The first Commodore was Sir A.H.R. Fedden M.B.E and the first Secretary
Lt. Comdr. L.K. Stevenson, who played a large part in the foundation of
the club. In addition to the yachts, which were based mainly on the South
Coast, there was a dinghy section, which raced in Portishead Dock. Six
one design dinghies were purchased to form the nucleus for club racing.
A club room was established at St. Vincent's
Rocks Hotel, which was open daily from 10.30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and to 10
p.m. on Sundays. A library containing topical books, charts and yachting
magazines was started. Winter activities included a monthly club supper
and lecture, and topical talks including general instruction on seamanship
and navigation were held fortnightly. The annual subscription was one guinea
and club burgees cost 3s.6d. Blazers, scarves, ties, etc., could be obtained
from T.C. Marsh in Bristol. The club room was later transferred to the Royal
Hotel. The Club was immediately successful; by 1933 the membership was over
90 and cups and trophies had been organised for cruising and dinghy racing
competitions, including some, for example the King Cup and the Dolphin Cup,
which have survived and are still in annual competition today. The Club
continued to grow until the war, when it was suspended owing to the fact
that a number of its Officers and members transferred their yachting to
H.M. Ships.
In 1946 the Club's activities got under way
again and during that year The Bristol Sailing Club was formed with dinghy
racing as its main object. After some negotiations with the Bristol Waterworks
Company, arrangements were made for the clubs to sail on Cheddar reservoir.
B.S.C. were responsible for the winter programme and B.Y.C. for the summer,
but members of either could sail in the other club's period, which made
it possible for all the year round sailing.
As time went on it was found that there was some
inconvenience in the arrangement and in 1949 discussions took place which
resulted in the amalgamation of the two clubs from January, 195O, under
the new title of the Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club. Records from this period
show an active membership of about 250 and the emergence of class racing,
for example there were twenty National 12s, 16 Merlins and one Rocket! 14
Fireflies and 10 Cadets. Some twenty sailing yachts and cruisers were registered
with the club and, in addition to dinghy racing throughout the year, there
was an annual rally for all members on the South Coast, a number of cruising
events, monthly club suppers and other social activities.
The subscription for ordinary membership was
then three guineas- however, the club was not able in the post war period
to reestablish a permanent club room in Bristol. Subsequently the Club developed
a particular emphasis on small boat sailing and restricted the number of
classes sailed in order to promote competitive racing. Rudimentary changing
accommodation at the Cheddar reservoir was replaced and facilities progressively
developed. The present clubhouse with changing rooms, hot showers, under-cover
boat storage, galley and bar, was established in 1976 with the aid of a
Sports Council grant.
Today the dinghy classes sailed are National
12, Laser, Enterprise, Solo, RS200 and there is also a limited Handicap
fleet, including Albacores, Fireballs, RS400, Laser 2000 and Larks. The
main function of the Handicap fleet is to allow development of new fleets
and to accommodate fleets in which declining support no longer justifies
separate racing. There is also a thriving junior fleet comprising Optimists,
Toppers and Mirrors.
A Sailboarding section was formed in 1978 and this was followed by UKBSA
sponsored open meetings m 1980 and 1981, when over 150 competitors took
part. The Club now has about 650 members, holds regular open meetings
for its established classes and hosts a number of events. For the 2006
season these include RS200 & Vareo Open, National 12 Open, Enterprise
and Fireball Open and the 2006 Lark Inland Championships. For youth sailors
there will be a Topper Open and for Sailboarders a Team15 Inter Club Event.
