The
Jamaica Yacht Club was formed in 1884 by a group of enthusiastic sailors.
On the 29th of November 1889, the Club was granted a Royal Charter by
Queen Victoria following a visit by Prince Edward, then the Prince of
Wales, who later became Edward VII. Until 1962, when Jamaica became an
independent nation within the Commonwealth, the Commodores were all Governors
of Jamaica, whether or not they were yachtsmen. In 1963 the Commodore
was chosen for the first time from the membership of the Club.
The
Club is very active in sailing, with races on weekends in the protected
waters of Kingston Harbour. Two Regattas are held during the year, one
at the end of January/early February and the other over the first weekend
of August, when we celebrate our Independence. The Piper-Heidsieck Pirates
Race from Port Royal to Grand Cayman is hosted by the Club the third week
in October each year. The Club and its members are represented internationally
by the Jamaica Yachting Association.