In 1896, the distinguished colonist Edward Keane, along with Aubrey Sherwood, Collector of Customs and some of their local friends agreed to form a sailing club and build a jetty for their boats at the foot of Irvine Street in Freshwater Bay.

Some 125 years later, after two world wars, endless regattas, world, state and local club championships, Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club continues to thrive, prosper, and bring together Club Members and their families at this same picturesque location on the banks of the Swan River.

Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club has sailing at its core and is recognized as one of the finest sailing establishments in the world. We provide storage for a variety of vessels as well as supporting programmes for training and development. Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club is now the home of the Sailing High Performance Programme in partnership with the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), Yachting Western Australia and Australian Sailing.

Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club is proud to be a founding member of the International Council of Yacht Clubs.

Since the Club’s first official race in 1897, Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club has set the pace for almost every class boat on the river and maintained its reputation as a centre for sailing excellence. The domination of its sailors at every level of the sport shows that, after all these years, the competitive spirit of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club is alive and well.

The late Ken Tregonning, valued member of the Club wrote about the history of RFBYC from 1896-1996. The book can be purchased through our online store or from the Club.