GYC’s 2026 RNLI Fundraising Yacht Race

Name: GYC’s 2026 RNLI Fundraising Yacht Race
Start: 2026-05-10T09:30:00+01:00
Location: 1 Peartree Way, SE10 0BW London, United Kingdom

Schedule

Sun, 10 May, 2026 at 09:30 am

UTC+01:00

Location

1 Peartree Way, SE10 0BW London, United Kingdom | Barking, EN

Greenwich Yacht Club is hosting its third annual fundraising yacht race for the RNLI lifeboats charity on Sunday May 10.
Who can enter?
Entry is open to members of GYC and other sailing clubs based on the River Thames and River Medway. Sign up will soon be at events.greenwichyachtclub.co.uk. Free overnight moorings are available for visiting competitors on the day before the race and on race day itself. The Clubhouse Bar will be open in the evening before the race, Saturday May 9, with a social event being planned.
How many can enter?
We can accept up to 20 race entries, and the entry fee is a non-refundable £15. All money raised will be donated to the RNLI’s Tower Lifeboat Station, based at Waterloo. This station covers GYC’s home stretch of the River Thames, and it is the busiest RNLI station in the country.
What type of race is it?
It is a “Start when you like” race. After a briefing at 09.30, skippers can decide their own departure time to set off downriver from GYC to Erith Reach, and then ideally round the furthest mark in time to catch the incoming tide back to Greenwich.
Race positions will be decided based on elapsed time (there and back) using the Byron Handicap system. There will be prizes for the best GYC finisher, and the best finisher among guest entries.
Fundraising challenge
A raffle on race day has previously raised most of the money, which in 2025 totalled £2,266. This is equivalent to the cost of equipping an inshore lifeboat crew member with a drysuit, a thermal suit, a lifejacket, and two helmets and pairs of gloves. Let’s see if we can beat that in 2026!
Stay involved off-the-water
If you’re not racing, there are plenty of ways to support the club and the RNLI, and contribute to what is one of the top days in GYC’s annual calendar. Volunteers are needed to drive trot boats, help in the Race Hut, take photographs, and – very importantly – sell the raffle tickets.
Or simply just be at the club to have a fun day. The kitchen will be open for Sunday lunch as usual, and bar snacks will be available later in the day.
To volunteer, please send an email to [email protected].
Who else is coming?
This is a popular event in GYC’s Racing Calendar, and is well supported by members who are not on the water as either competitors or support crew in trot boats. This makes it a lively atmosphere in the Clubhouse, and we have also invited representatives of the PLA and RYA, and an RNLI lifeboat crew, plus local councillors and the Mayor, to attend the post-race trophy presentation. This will take place around 4 o’clock, subject to the weather’s influence on the race conditions.
After the trophies are awarded there will be the raffle, with prizes generously donated by a number of sailing brands and local businesses.
Dress to impress
Branded souvenir merchandise will soon be available to buy online before the event, with polo shirts for £20 and caps for £10. Both prices include a donation to the RNLI. Personalisation with a Boat Name, or your own name, plus delivery, are extra.
Here’s a tip: get together with other people to choose your items, as orders with a total value over £99.99 will qualify for free delivery. Access to the merchandise will open soon.
What’s next?
Put the dates May 9 and 10 in your diary. Organise yourself as a competitor or a volunteer. Look out for details around the Clubhouse and on our social media about entering the race, and buying your shirts and caps to wear with pride.
“Whether on the water or cheering from the clubhouse, join us to make this year’s race the most fun and successful yet – together, we can support the RNLI and celebrate the spirit of sailing!”