The RBYC Fleet at rest in Croatia, Kornati National Park - June 2010

The summer sailing season is now in full swing, and members have been out on trips across the Channel as well as out on the Solent. Many members also went on our warm week away to Croatia which was fantastic fun. More  recently sailors discarded their oilies for party wear and enjoyed a classical concert at Osborne House after sailing over to the Isle of Wight.  There are still some trips that are not yet fully booked, but don't delay - spaces go fast!
Earlier in  2010 we kicked off the new year by holding our AGM which was excellent and very well attended.  We had a lot of fun - as well as getting down to the serious business of the evening - and were tested in our yachting knowledge by taking part in a quiz.... some of us clearly had more work to do on learning our lights and shapes before venturing out on the water.....
The annual dinner dance and awards night in February was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. The food and venue at Blue Mountain Golf Club were exceptional and many sailors were seen on the dance floor towards the end of the evening, strutting their stuff.  Many members were mentioned for their seamanship skills during the awards ceremony, and the club skippers were presented with newly commissioned RBYC Club Skipper fleeces for all their hard work over the year. Some members were singled out for the events of the past year that they would rather forget..... but we are a sharing club and  it would have been churlish not to have shared their unforgettable experiences with others.  All was taken in good spirit... and we look forward to reducing embarrassing moments during the coming season, but despite trying to become better sailors, there is always something to take us by surprise!

We hope that during 2010 we will continue to attract new members whether they are complete novices or experienced sea-farers!

The Royal County of Berkshire Yacht Club is an RYA affiliated club that is run by the members for the members. The RBYC was formed in 1994 by a group of would be sailors studying for the RYA certificates ranging from Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper and Yacht Master Offshore to Yacht Master Ocean. The club has since grown to over 130 members.

The aims of the club are to promote the sport of sailing and improve seamanship. The RBYC is an official RYA training establishment; we run a number of training courses and can also examine for Day Skipper practical. We raise funds for charity and for the current year charitable support is directed towards the RNLI and UKSA - changing lives

We have an annual programme of events which includes a full sailing programme ranging from "Introduction to navigation" weekends, through to cross channel trips, "Yachtmaster qualifying passages" and a diary of land based events, guest speaker nights, monthly social meetings and RYA training courses such as Diesel Engine Maintenance, GMDSS, First Aid courses and Sea Survival.

We also have a lot of fun sailing around our wonderful coastal waters, every one of us learning a little bit more each time we sail. In 2009 we had a trip to Kinsale. This year about 30 members headed off for the warmer waters around Croatia for a week.  There are plenty of opportunities to sail for weekends - just have a look. We are very user-friendly and sociable with the emphasis on getting out on the water and enjoying yacht sailing for everything that it offers.  We welcome boat owners and non boat owners alike.