JANUARY 29, 2025 — CAPETOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – The International SeaKeepers Society is thrilled to announce its latest partnership with the Royal Cape Yacht Club (RCYC), marking a significant expansion into the region. This collaboration comes at an exciting time, as RCYC prepares to host the legendary Cape2Rio Race, the longest continent-to-continent yacht race in the Southern Hemisphere.
Through this partnership, SeaKeepers will engage RCYC members and Cape2Rio participants in ocean conservation efforts. Yachts registering in SeaKeepers’ DISCOVERY Programme will have the opportunity to contribute to global marine research initiatives while sailing across the Atlantic. Participants will play a key role in supporting the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, which aims to map the entire ocean floor to modern standards.
Dating back to 1971, the Cape2Rio Race is a historic test of skill, endurance, and adventure, attracting world-class sailors and international teams. This year’s race will not only showcase exceptional seamanship, but also help advance scientific understanding of our oceans through SeaKeepers’ DISCOVERY Programme.
Jay Wade, Chairman of SeaKeepers:
“This partnership is an exciting step forward for SeaKeepers’ DISCOVERY Programme, together with the Royal Cape Yacht Club, we can support marine science collaborating with international partners to advance ocean research. We extend our best wishes to all Cape2Rio contenders for safe sailing and a warm welcome in Rio.”
Caption: The trophy was donated to the Royal Cape Yacht Club for the inaugural race in 1971.
Caption: SeaKeepers and the Royal Cape Yacht Club discuss partnership through the DISCOVERY Programme.
Toni Mainprize, General Manager of the Royal Cape Yacht Club:
“Royal Cape Yacht Club is celebrating a 120-year anniversary, as a leading club on the African continent, we must ensure that we stay relevant and conscious with objectives to become a more sustainable organisation. The timing and natural synergy of this partnership with SeaKeepers is perfectly aligned to RCYC’s goals to be proactive in constantly moving towards a more environmentally responsible yacht club. The opportunity to work with a recognised global research, conservation, and education organisation such as SeaKeepers is positive progress, and we look forward to working together with the Cape2Rio participants and their yachts in supporting the sourcing of scientific data.”
The partnership builds on momentum from a highly successful event at RCYC in December, which featured world-renowned yachtsman and DISCOVERY Programme Ambassador Mike Golding OBE. Golding visited the club aboard DISCOVERY Yacht (DY) Traverse, as part of a global circumnavigation focused on marine research and conservation.
With RCYC as a new partner, SeaKeepers is eager to expand its mission. The organisation invites all RCYC members and Cape2Rio participants to join this initiative and make a lasting impact on ocean conservation.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL SEAKEEPERS SOCIETY
The International SeaKeepers Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that facilitates oceanographic research, conservation, and education through direct involvement with the yachting community. Providing educational resources and hands-on marine science experiences to students is the primary focus for ensuring the wellbeing of our planet. SeaKeepers enables the yachting community to take full advantage of their unique potential to advance marine sciences and raise awareness about global ocean issues.
Founded in Monaco in 1998, The International SeaKeepers Society has been supporting ocean conservation through direct involvement with the yachting community for more than twenty-five years. What started as a data collection program aboard select luxury yachts, has evolved to engage thousands of participants annually with at-sea and coastal programming. Today SeaKeepers’ mission is focused on the DISCOVERY Yacht Program which is comprised of Scientist-Led Expeditions, Citizen Science, Educational Outreach, and Community Engagement.
As a catalyst working with governments, scientists, institutions, and other marine organizations to further its mission, SeaKeepers supports sensible, achievable marine protection and restoration. Activities take place globally through the efforts of headquarters based in the United States with offices located on the east and west coast, and international representation in Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the South Pacific.
VISIT WEBSITE — SEAKEEPERS.ORG
ABOUT THE ROYAL CAPE YACHT CLUB
Located in the Port of Cape Town, RCYC was founded as the Table Bay Yacht Club in 1905 and commenced operation as such in a waterside boatshed located some 50 to 60 metres northward of the foot of Loop Street. Surviving early vicissitudes, the club's name was changed in 1914 to the Cape Yacht Club which incorporated the Alfred Rowing Club and shortly after we received the Royal Charter to become the Royal Cape Yacht Club. It was not until the decade after the 2nd World War (1939 - 1945) that the shell of the present clubhouse came to be erected. It was added to when the local yachting boom, started by the first Trans-Atlantic Race from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro in 1971, took off and changed the Club from a small membership of around 300 to the present figure of some 2 000. Boat accommodation progressed from swing moorings to the marina of today.
The Royal Cape Yacht Club sits at the foot of Africa, a quiet enclave tucked away in the bustle of Cape Town's docks. It is a prime location for sailors looking for respite from stormy weather and the club has hosted thousands of weary sailors over the years. The club itself is home to a first class restaurant, two bars and several function venues. Its relaxed atmosphere and view over crowded docks bustling with activity is a very pleasant way to while away a long lunch or a cozy, romantic dinner.
The Club hosts important sailing events including the Country's premier keelboat regattas. The Cape2 Rio Race and South Atlantic Races have been hosted by Royal Cape Yacht Club since inception in 1971. Other international events have included the Whitbread Race, the BT Global Challenge, The BOC Around Alone Race, the Volvo Race, The Lisbon Expo 98, Clippers, and the Hong Kong Challenge, to name but a few.
The Club is also home to legendary local races such as the Lipton Challenge Cup, The Cape to St Helena race, The West Coast Offshore Race, Ladies race and Pathcare Seniors Pursuit Race, just to mention a few. The Club has a development sail training program as part of the RCYC Sailing Academy, which has been in operation for several years. A young all-girl RCYC Sailing Academy crew is currently training for the December Cape2Rio Race.
For more info see — www.rcyc.co.za