Royal Yachting Association

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(Redirected from RYA)

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the UK's recognised national association for sailing, windsurfing, motor cruising, sportsboats, personal watercraft and powerboat racing.

The RYA was formed as the Yacht Racing Association in 1875. Its initial aim was to harmonise the right-of-way and handicap rules, known as the Portsmouth Yardstick Scheme for yacht racing. It became the Royal Yachting Association in 1952.

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History

1875 (November) Founded as the Yacht Racing Association (YRA) for "former and present owners of racing yachts of and above 10 tons Thames measurement and such other gentlemen as the Committee may elect"^[1]
1888 Attempts made to open membership to small boat owners
1908 Involved with the London Olympics sailing regatta
1921 The independent Sailing Boat Association and the Boat Racing Association merged into the YRA, thus opening the membership to small boat owners
1947 The (then) General Purposes Committee (now) Legal and Government Affairs Committee added power and sail cruising to the portfolio of interests represented by the YRA
1953 Changed name to the Royal Yachting Association
1961 Became the national organisation for powerboat racing, taking over from the (then) Marine Motoring Association
1967 First committee to regulate training activities formed
1968 UK Armed forces adopted RYA Training Schemes
1969 Cruising Secretary and Cruising Subcommittee appointed to report to the General Purposes Committee
1971 Formation of the Yachtmaster Qualifications Panel
1971 (approx) Introduction of Bob Bond's (National Dinghy Coach) "The Method" approach for dinghy tuition based upon the Glénans Sailing Manual, a demystified method of tuition without jargon
Early 1980s Became the national body for windsurfing
1997 Personal Watercraft granted recognition