The First World War was a strain for the club as many of its members went overseas, leaving their boats to be cared for by fellow members. Older members also volunteered in the Naval Reserve.
While the 1930s were difficult, economically, for the club and for many of its members, it was during this time that a great club tradition was created. In 1930, RVYC organized the first Swiftsure Yacht Race, with just six boats. The club survived the Great Depression by adapting to the financial circumstances of many of its members, through their building floats from logs salvaged along nearby beaches, and allowing younger members to work off their annual dues by performing necessary maintenance chores.
The roster of active Members shrank as younger men enlisted in the armed forces during World War II, just as it had in the previous World War. Records covering the years 1939-1945 show that, out of a total membership of 260, more than 100 were serving overseas. Senior members, many of whom were former naval officers, offered lectures on seamanship and navigation, and organized the special naval reserve flotilla of grey painted pleasure boats that patrolled coastal waters off Victoria.
Expanding moorage requirements of members prompted changes in the Club. After searching for a suitable location near Sidney, the club’s Tsehum Haven site was officially Opened in October, 1964.
In 1972, at Cadboro Bay a protective breakwater was constructed to allow safe, year round, in-the-water moorage.
1992 was RVYC’s Centennial Celebration. The late Terry Reksten compiled a club history entitled A Century of Sailing, a Centennial Ball was held, and a stone cairn, containing a time capsule, was erected on the clubhouse lawn. Also that year, Princess Margaret Island (Portland Island) Marine Park was placed under our volunteer park host program by the BC Government.
The club has continued to help members take advantage of cruising opportunities. The Long Harbour Outstation was purchased in 2001 and officially opened on June 12th, 2004. This purchase complemented the slips leased for members’ use at Friday Harbor, a few years earlier.
In 2011, the club officially celebrated its one hundredth anniversary as the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and received its Letters Patent in 2012. This designation gives RVYC the right to incorporate St. Edward’s Crown into club insignias and flags. On Opening Day 2012, the Letters Patent were presented to RVYC by Lieutenant Governor Steven Point.
RVYC provides first-class instruction to beginner sailors as well as Olympic competitors. In 2012, for the second year in a row, RVYC was rated the best sailing school in Canada by Sail Canada. For the first time, in 2012 RVYC introduced a sailing program for local schools with over one hundred students participating in lessons and races. RVYC was represented at the 2012 Paralympic Summer Games in London by Members Stacie Louttit and John McRoberts in the SKUD 18 class (two-person keelboat class) and Bruce Millar in the Sonar class (three-person keelboat class). In addition, RVYC member Richard Clarke competed in the Star class at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
2014 was an important year for RVYC. Under the leadership of Andrew McBride, the Cadboro Bay Moorage Rebuild Project was successfully completed. Club volunteers and staff worked thousands of hours to ensure the new docks were completed before the stormy winter season and that the project was on budget.
2015 saw the rebuild of Tsehum Haven facilities largely completed. At the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games John McRoberts and Jackie Gay came away with the silver medal in the SKUD class while Bruce Millar placed 10th overall in the 2.4mR fleet.
The club’s governance structure was revised and a Board of Directors replaced the existing Executive Committee in 2017. In the same year, the Buchanan Lounge was Opened at Tsehum Haven, and RVYC was named Club of the Year by the Canadian Club Managers Association.
Significant events in the last three years include the hosting of the Melges 24 World Regatta (2018); the club being awarded the 5-Anchor eco-rating for environmental best practices from Clean Marine BC Program (2019) and, in 2020, RVYC was included in the top 50 yacht clubs in the world recognized by Platinum Clubs of the World.
RVYC is well-represented in the sailing community by the work done by its Members and staff. Along with Swiftsure, RVYC continues to host many sailing races, training sessions, and cruises. RVYC’s strong yachting traditions help to ensure that the club’s legacy will continue.