Active Optimist sailing clubs in South Africa
Click on the links below to view clubs in a specific region.
Eastern Cape • Kwazulu Natal • Northern Region • Western Cape
Eastern Cape
Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC)
Address: Dom Pedro Jetty, Port Elizabeth Harbour, Port Elizabeth Map
Phone: (041) 585 4058
Email: management@abyc.org.za
Web: http://abyc.co.za/
Redhouse Yacht Club (RYC)
Sailing on the Swartkops river is an addictive experience. The wind is an almost guaranteed factor – it is just the direction that changes. RYC boasts a variety of sailing dinghies and an even more varied set of sailors, that have often been seen tearing up the river at winds gusts of over 40km/h!
If you wish to experience the exhilaration of sailing, this is the club you should visit. We welcome all dingy sailors of any level of experience. Come and feel what it is like to control the PE wind!
We are proud to be associated with the Redhouse Stingray Sailing Academy who share our facilities and hold regular training courses. As we all know this is the backbone to new membership in the club and culminates with the inter-schools regatta held in March every year.
Address: Towpath Street, Redhouse, Port Elizabeth Map
Phone: (041) 463 1605
Email: secretary@ryc.co.za
Web: http://www.ryc.co.za
Kwazulu Natal
Henley Midmar Yacht Club (HMYC)
The Henley Midmar Yacht Club has without question the most picturesque setting of any inland yacht club in South Africa, with sweeping views over the keelboat moorings and mountains in the distance. A mere 60 minute drive from Durban and 15 minutes from Pietermaritzburg, HMYC is the perfect setting for weekend racing or cruising. Whether you are looking to race Hunters, Catamarans, Lasers, Optimists, 29’ers or enjoy a relaxing cruise, Midmar offers a huge expanse of water with fair winds. There is a racing calendar most weekends during the season along with many Provincial and National Regatta’s held at the club throughout the year. Accommodation is available within the Midmar reserve in the form of chalets, rustic log cabins and campsites as well as campsites being available to Club Members at the club for Regatta’s and weekends.
Address:
Phone: 083 388 2267
Email: gypsyclaire@gmail.com
Point Yacht Club (PYC)
Address: 3 Maritime Place, Durban Map
Phone: (031) 301 4787
Email: sailing@pyc.co.za
Royal Natal Yacht Club (RNYC)
As the oldest yacht club in Africa and the fifth oldest in the southern hemisphere, Royal Natal Yacht Club seeks to maintain a proud heritage by providing members with yacht racing, cruising and social facilities on the eastern seaboard of South Africa. The club endeavours to promote sailing in all forms by making significant contributions to development and youth sailing programmes.
Members can enjoy a variety of facilities and venues which house a number of regular social events and entertainment off the water.
Address: Yacht Mole, Durban Map
Phone: (031) 301 5425
Email: club@rnyc.org.za
Web: http://rnyc.org.za/
Zululand Yacht Club (ZYC)
The Zululand Yacht Club (ZYC) is located at Longitude 32° 05.015 E and Latitude 28° 47.529 S, at Richards Bay Harbour, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, in sunny South Africa. Zululand Yacht Club takes great pride in introducing our visitors to our superb location on the dolphin coastline.
Address: Richards Bay Harbour
Phone: (035) 788 0256
Email: manager@zyc.co.za
Northern Region
Benoni Sailing Club (BSC) *
Sail Benoni is an ISAF (International Sailing Federation) accredited Sailing School, offering courses from beginner to advanced (racing) levels. The Sailing School is run by Peter Clayton, who has many years of sailing and coaching experience, and is a certified ISAF and SAS (South African Sailing) Senior Coach.
Address: Ebenezer Road, Homestead Dam, Benoni Map
Phone: 082 371 0304
Email: peterclayton@mweb.co.za
* accredited SAS sail training centre
Boskop Yacht Club (BYC)
Boskop Yacht Club (BYC) is a family orientated sailing club with a proud history spanning more than 50 years. Club facilities are family friendly and children are regarded as treasures.
Boskop Dam is situated amongst a series of low lying hills about 13km from Potchefstroom and just an hour’s drive from Johannesburg. The dam forms the southern border of the 3 000ha Boskop Dam Nature Reserve. Here 370ha of crystal clear water harbours 250 species of bird, including the fish eagle, and is the source of Potchefstroom’s drinking water.
The Club is open to visitors who want to explore sailing as a sport on the first weekend of every month. BYC offers sail training presented by the commodore every sailing weekend (on Saturdays from 10am) with club races every third weekend of the month. Club seniors help to get the younger generation on the water and are always available for advice and tutoring.
Winds at the Club are normally nice and steady. This makes for good racing with the occasional thunderstorm washing everything clean. Everyone, young and old, is encouraged to participate in our wonderful sport.
Address: Potchefstroom Map
Phone: 072 147 9919
Email: carin@excelprojects.co.za
Web:
Lake Deneys Yacht Club (LDYC) *
LDYC is on the outskirts of Deneysville village, 120 km or 80 minutes drive from most areas on the Witwatersrand and is within driving and sailing distance to Villiers and Oranjeville. Deneysville itself hosts 4 other Yacht Clubs. The Vaal Dam’s shoreline runs for approximately 600 kilometers and is home to 8 other yacht clubs and 6 marinas. Situated on the banks of the Vaal Dam, LDYC is by far the largest yacht club with 420 full members, who fund and run the establishment on a volunteer basis, with the support of full time staff. We offer a full range of membership options to suit your lifestyle and pocket.
Address: 83 Union Street, Deneysville Map
Phone: (016) 371 1393
Email: ldyc@telkomsa.net
* accredited SAS sail training centre
Pretoria Sailing Club (PSC)
Pretoria Sailing Club (PSC) has been in existence for over 50 years and is one of South Africa’s premier inland sailing venues. Indeed it is the largest inland dinghy club in the country and unique in its situation in the beautiful Rietvlei Nature Reserve, the only urban reserve in South Africa. Whether you are interested in racing, which takes place on a weekly basis, leisurely cruising or just watching the wildlife and the scenery from the shore, this is the place for you!
Address: Rietvlei Dam, Nellmapius Drive, Pretoria Map
Phone: (012) 660 2016
Email: admin@psc.co.za
Web: http://psc.org.za/
Victoria Lake Club (VLC) *
Address: Lake Rd, Germiston, Johannesburg Map
Phone: 083 626 7597
Email: shellee@sailingcentre.co.za
Web: http://www.victorialakeclub.co.za/
* accredited SAS sail training centre
Western Cape
George Lakes Yacht Club (GLYC) *
George Lakes Yacht Club was founded in 1954 by a group of enthusiastic sailors resident in George. The club is situated in the picturesque Wilderness area of the Southern Cape, near George. It is on Island Lake, so called as there is a prominent island on the northern area of the lake. The George Lakes Yacht Club is situated on the southern shore of this lake.
GLYC caters for sailing of all types, compatible with the surroundings. Dinghies - Laser, GP14, Fireball, Sonnet, Optimist, Tera, Dabchick, etc.
Address: George
Phone: 082 377 9217
Email: glyc@glyc.org.za
* accredited SAS sail training centre
Hermanus Yacht Club (HYC)
The Hermanus Yacht Club on the Kleinriver lagoon, locally known as Stofvlei, is superbly situated and has an enthusiastic membership taking part in fun or competition sailing almost every weekend during the summer season. Several major regattas are held every year. The Hermanus sailing season starts in September.
Nestled in the lee of the Overberg Mountains, Hermanus Yacht Club's green lawns reach right down to the water's edge. The salt water lagoon provides safe sailing for children and variable wind conditions that can raise the heart-rate of even the most experienced sailors.
The club has a special family ambience, with caravan and camping sites plus wooden cabins providing the perfect weekend getaway and summer holiday venue ... creating quality time together.
The Dinghy fleet consists of Lasers, Sonnets, Dabchicks and Optimists. Children are taught to sail in club owned Optimist Dinghies through a special sailing training programme and as they progress they can be coached to sharpen their racing skills and compete on a club, provincial and national level. In recent years some of our young sailors have participated in the Optimist World Championships.
There is a large Catamaran fleet, consisting of mainly Hobie Cats.
The Carioca keelboat fleet provides excellent sailing and entertainment for sailors who like to stay dry and perhaps sip a gin and tonic or two whilst at the helm. Racing for both dinghies and keelboats is arranged most weekends in season and throughout holiday periods.
When the sun sets over the lagoon, braai fires are lit and sailing stories regaled in fine company. Adults can relax in the knowledge that children are close by entertaining themselves in and around the Club House and front lawn.
A few kilometers away, the town of Hermanus provides additional entertainment, with shops, restaurants, craft markets, whale watching (in season) golf, good beaches and excellent hiking trails in the surrounding mountains.
Address: Kleinrivier Lagoon, Hermanus, Western Cape Map
Phone: (028)314 1420
Email: manager@hyc.co.za
Web: http://www.hyc.co.za
Imperial Yacht Club (IYC)
Imperial Yacht Club is a family friendly sailing club with a focus on youth sailing and training. Sailing has a lot to offer the youth and we actively encourage children and parents from all backgrounds to participate in sailing by offering regular training and coaching at the club.
We have a number of weekend and school learn to sail coaching programs for different levels, from complete novice and beginner to learning to race, and beyond. Zandvlei provides an ideal nursery for beginner learner sailors with a sheltered "duckpond" and the larger lake allows parents and spectators to watch the sailing from the clubhouse. The vlei is well suited to small boat dinghy sailing as the sailors learn to sail close to the clubhouse.
The Fergie Sailing Academy provides learn to sail courses as a school sport during the week and weekends. Linsay will teach girls and boys from 9 years old and upwards through her comprehensive learn to sail courses.
Address: 1 Promenade Rd, Coniston Park, Cape Town Map
Phone: 082 788 9000
Email: admin@imperialyachtclub.co.za
Milnerton Aquatic Club (MAC)
The Milnerton Aquatic Club, known as MAC, has its origins in 1976. It is situated on the banks of the Rietvlei Nature Reserve with Table Mountain as a majestic backdrop. The Reserve is a haven for abundant birdlife, many of which are migrate from as far as Europe. There is a walking trail within for those who enjoy the tranquility of the outdoors.
Because of its location, ideal wind and water conditions, MAC has become a popular sailing venue, making it amongst others, a popular destination for overseas windsurfers. The waters have recently been opened to SUPing, canoeing and kayaking. MAC is an ideal location for wakeboarding, water skiing and power boating with a protected southern shore giving the riders flat water and two slipways to launch from.
MAC offers youth windsurfing and dinghy sailing courses over the school holidays, as well as lessons for adults, which can be arranged through the club. MAC has a membership of around 600 with four aquatic divisions, namely dinghy/multi-hull sailing, windsurfing, radio controlled sailing and power boating.
Members can enjoy the club’s galley and “Wet Start” bar, which offers exquisite views over the vlei and Table Mountain. The moment the sun sets, members can enjoy a braai or simply a sundowner after spending a day on the water. MAC has a large swimming pool as well as a toddler’s pool and a play park for the kids.
A dedicated and professional management team head up the club, which ensures the smooth running of the club on behalf of its loyal members. Whatever you choose to do at MAC, you can enjoy a fun filled carefree day exactly the way you wish, both on and off the water.
Photo credit: John Read
Address: Grey Avenue (off Sandpiper), Table View, Cape Town Map
Phone: (021) 557 7090
Email: mac@milnertonaquaticclub.co.za
Web: http://www.milnertonaquaticclub.co.za
* accredited SAS sail training centre
Zeekoevlei Yacht Club (ZVYC)
ZVYC provides training programs for multiple ages and levels – the most popular being the junior courses. To find out more about these programs please contact us.
We have very capable and friendly coaches and, with their assistance, have drawn up an interesting and exciting program for you. Provision has been made in the programme for different levels of enthusiasm and commitment, so that everyone who starts will finish having had the opportunity to progress at their own pace.
Address: 43 Peninsula Road, Zeekoevlei (Off Governor’s Walk), Cape Town Map
Phone: (021) 705 3373
Email: manager@zvyc.co.za
* accredited SAS sail training centre
Background photograph by Luke Sher