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Royal Victoria Yacht Club opens new season with a blast

Members to celebrate royal addition to flag

Members of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club will be donning their whites and preparing for a day of tradition and fun at its opening day Saturday, April 28.

The main event of the day is the highly anticipated sailpast of approximately 100 boats on the waters of Cadboro Bay between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. The traditional sailpast begins with a cannon blast which will sound again at sunset to mark the closing ceremonies.

Naval Training Vessel, PCT Caribou will lead the parade and the Classic Boat MV Olympus will be near the rear. Many boats will be decorated with colourful flags and carry members dressed for the annual event.

“Eveyone is dressed up in yacht club attire, blue blazers and ties,” said Rob Adams communications chair for the club. “Tribute is paid to older members … this is a special one again as the lieutenant governor (will unveil the flag).”

This year the 1,700 members of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club will be celebrating a Showing of the Flag during which the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Steven Point will formally unveil the Letters Patent for the Royal Flags and Insignias of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club.

As a royal club founded in 1892, it will celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with the new commemorative flag. The club was recently granted permission to incorporate Queen Elizabeth II’s royal crown on the club’s Blue Ensign.

“Obtaining permission is a tribute to our early members. They worked hard to build the club, to give it royal status. To carry on the tradition we are working hard to keep the club a viable size to maintain its status as a royal club,” said Adams.

The sailpast is best viewed from Gyro Park at the foot of Sinclair Road.