RVYC CRUISING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS – OVERVIEW
The RVYC Cruising Achievement Awards were launched in 1995 with the inception of The Sydney Bryant Centennial Plate for Blue Water Cruising Excellence which was created to recognize notable offshore voyages. Since that time, two additional major cruising awards, for voyages of varying magnitudes, The Conconi Plaque for Exceptional World Cruising Achievement and The Tom & Margaret Denny Trophy for Coastal Cruising Achievement have been added to further chronicle, celebrate, and inspire fellow adventurers.
All nominees for awards are evaluated by the Cruising Awards Subcommittee, comprised of the Cruising Fleet Captain, previous award winners, and other designated club members. In October of each year, the Cruising Awards Subcommittee meets to consider awards and plaques for yachts that have completed their journeys within the prior October 1 to September 30 time frame.
All nominations must be submitted by September 30 to the Cruising Fleet Captain by email; cruisingfleetcaptain@rvyc.ca or letter mail: (Attn: Cruising Fleet Captain and dropped off at the Club Office.
RVYC CRUISING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS CRITERIA
The Conconi Plaque for Exceptional World Cruising Achievement
Named in honour of Bill and Ellie Conconi who, together and as individuals, raised the profile and participation of cruising in the Club by leading many cruises to such destinations as the West Coast, Haida Gwaii and the Central Coast. Bill and Ellie each served as Cruising Fleet Captain. Bill also served as Commodore, Honorary Commodore and was awarded Honorary Life Member status. The award recognizes the exceptional seamanship over extended ocean passages.
Award Criteria:
The Sydney Bryant Centennial Plate for Blue Water Cruising Excellence
Named in honour of Sydney Bryant who loved sailing and was heavily involved in all aspects of the sport. RVYC Commodore (’82, ’83), Olympic Judge - he had a goal of sailing in every ocean, in both hemispheres and he did it. This award recognizes club members’ notable offshore voyages.
Award Criteria:
- Yacht leaves from and returns to Victoria, on her own bottom
- Involves a voyage of more than 10,000 nm outside of sheltered waters
- At some point during the voyage the yacht is more than five days away from the nearest landmass
- Additional factors to be considered include total distance travelled, voyage duration, size of yacht and number and age of crew
- At most a single award will be awarded each year
Blue Water Cruising Recognition Awards
Award Criteria:
- For members who have completed an offshore voyage that meets some, but not all, of the criteria identified for the Sydney Bryant Centennial Plate
- At most, four of these awards are given each year
The Tom & Margaret Denny Trophy for Coastal Cruising Achievement Award
Established in 2000, this award is named after Tom & Margaret Denny who spent decades cruising the coast of British Columbia as well as several trans-oceanic voyages. This recognizes significant achievements in extended coastal cruising by RVYC members and thereby encourages ambitious coastal cruising.
Award Criteria:
- Awarded for a single voyage, normally one that begins and ends in the Victoria area
- Normally involves a coastal cruise more extensive than to Alaska and return or a circumnavigation of Vancouver Island
- Additional factors to be considered include the total distance travelled, distance travelled outside of sheltered waters, duration of voyage, size of yacht and the number, age and experience of crew members
- At most a single award will be given each year
Coastal Cruising Recognition Awards
This award recognizes coastal cruising achievements such as voyaging to Haida Gwaii, Alaska, and circumnavigating Vancouver Island.
Award Criteria:
- For club members who complete an extended coastal cruise and meet some, but not all, of the criteria for the Denny Award
- At most, four of these awards are given each year
Coastal Cruising Maiden Voyage Recognition Awards
This award is to encourage and celebrate new adventurers. It recognizes a yacht’s maiden trip to a local destination, such a Desolation Sound.
Award Criteria:
CHARTROOM WORLD CHART
In addition to awards for offshore adventurers, the Club endeavours to chronicle voyages on the World Chart, located on the wall of the Chartroom at the RVYC Clubhouse. Members’ locations are documented on this chart in real time. While travelling, offshore members are asked to keep in touch with the Club so that their voyages can be logged, and positions updated on the World Chart.
Criteria: To be included, yachts must meet the following:
- The final destination must be more than 1,000 NM from where the yacht started its voyage
- A portion of the 1,000 NM should be “blue water” cruising
- Yachts purchased in, or commercially transported to, a far-off location and cruised “locally” in that location, will not be included