HISTORY
The Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta is the second oldest regatta in Asia. It was back in 1989 when the, then, Raja Muda (Crown Prince) of Selangor, a keen sailor and member of Royal Selangor Yacht Club came up with the idea of having a regatta for boats that were coming to RSYC on their way to the newly formed Kings Cup held in Thailand during December.
From this idea came the start of what is now one of the most popular regattas in Asia. It is unique in that it is made up of a collection of offshore passage, interspersed with inshore “round the cans” races, and travels up the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, stopping at various islands enroute. This provides for much socialising at each venue as well as giving constantly changing conditions for the participants.
The Regatta has now evolved into a challenging offshore sailing race organised every year by the Royal Selangor Yacht Club in Malaysia in association with the RORC. It now consists of three overnight passage races, totalling 300 nautical miles, plus 3 days of harbour/ inshore racing in Penang and Langkawi. With regatta dinners almost every night, a rickshaw race at Straits Quay, Penang, and lots of opportunities to socialise, the onshore activities are just as demanding as the sailing! The event attracts a large variety of yachts, from top class IRC racers to slow classic cruisers dating back over 100 years, all of whom have to cope with unpredictable weather and changing tactics during the 9 day mix of races past the tropical islands of the Melaka Straits.
royal selangor yacht club
The year was 1963 when a group of boaters and sailing enthusiasts were looking for a suitable location to establish a yacht club while the Anglo Oriental Company had just completed construction of a large dredge at the present Club site in Port Klang. Soon, with the co-operation and assistance from the Port Authority, the site was formed into a yacht club. The Club was first registered as “Port Swettenham Yacht Club” in July 1963. In the early years, the Club members invested in building a 20-ton slipway, serving hundreds of members and visitors over the years.
In 1972, the Club’s name was changed to “Selangor Yacht Club”. Further investment was made on the pontoon system imported from Sweden, allowing members and their guests to board in comfort and safety.
In March 1989, the “Royal Selangor Yacht Club” was officially opened and given its new name by the Patron, His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor. His Royal Highness was a frequent visitor to the Club with his family members, thus awarded the Club his warrant. However, year 1992 witnessed a fire that spread from the adjacent commercial fuel jetty, destroying the Clubhouse. The staff managed to rescue the vital administrative records and continued in business in temporary offices in the present Yard Office whilst the new Clubhouse was being constructed. The new Clubhouse was completed and opened in 1996.
Today, with over 2,500 members, a moored fleet of 100 (30 keelboats and 60 powerboats), and a further 150 boats on the Club’s handstand, the RSYC is the largest and most active yacht club in the country of Malaysia.