Now, as an AIR MAN, I'm not much on things nautical, and so this page isn't done from memory - and only reluctantly.  In fact, the idea of going onto water deeper than about 4 feet, filled with big, and I mean big, fish, on a boat without a motor (you could get stuck out there somewhere and run up on a reef, or worse), just seems to me to be something that other people should do.  Besides, my Grandpa, who was a Chief Bosun's Mate in the USCG told me in no uncertain terms that a boat is just a hole in the water into which you pour money, and to stay away from them.  So I have, mostly.  However, lots of Diego Garcians love the water, and spent lots of time (and money) at the Marina and Yacht Club, and they deserve a page of their own.  I agreed to make one for them, but only after they told me that nowadays, the Yacht Club parties rival those I remember at the Brit Club, and I figure anyone who can slam down a Tiger Beer or tumbler of Mojo can't be all bad, so here goes:

     The Diego Garcia Yacht Club was established in May 1979 by a group of yachting enthusiasts for the mutual benefit of all island residents and transient personnel who were interested in any aspect of the sport.   Since it's inception,the club has flourish and now has over 10,000 members on the island and at large.  It is affiliated with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and the United States Naval Sailing Association (USNSA).
     The Yacht Club sponsors and organized monthly 'socials' [yeah, neat euphemism], regattas, as well as instruction in windsurfing and sailing.  The club also runs its own shop, selling a variety of beach wear and leisure items.  The shop operating hours are from 1600 to 1900 hrs. on Thursday and Fridays and from 0900 to 1900 hrs. on Saturday, Sundays, and Holidays.

             * Discounts on the merchandise in the shop
             * Discounts on the selected Yacht Club sponsored activies
             * Guests benefits at other affiliated Yacht Clubs  WORLDWIDE
             * Use of the Yacht Club-sponsored Boson Sailboats
             * Having a great time

NEW NEWS, 2003:  "Ted - Well as you can tell by the photos, things have changed a little since 99'. The Brit Club started first in 98 - 99 by building a huge deck on the beach in front of their club. Originally it had a covered bandstand in one corner. That has since be converted into the DJ's boothe. It has a roof, lighting really nice.
        "In late '99, the DGYC did the same. They built on and around the original observation deck so that the entire area in front of the club house was covered.  Since then they have removed the old observation deck, extended the entire deck out closer to the beach. At high tide the waterline is only about a foot from the deck. They also included a covered bandstand on one corner. The club has also purchased its own fleet of windsurf boards and rigs. So of course they had to build a sail loft out in from of the clubhouse. Also sometime between 2000 and now, a connecting walkway between the Brit Club and the DGYC was put in. Makes it conveniately easy to stagger... er... saunter between the two clubs.
          "The DGYC bar has been taken over by MWR and is open Wed - Sun evenings. They (MWR) bring live music in as well, a couple evenings a week. Since the return of Mango, the clubhouse has been undergoing a facelift. new paint inside and out. Currently the Seabees are building a shower and washroom facility between the Yacht Club and the Marina. No more walking to the other side of the Brit Club to use the bathroom!
         "The Marina has gone through changes as well. The have an all new fleet of sailboats. Hunter 170's and  240's, really quite nice..." From Mark Chandler <fwdloop@cwdgnet.io> July 2003.

 HOW TO JOIN THE DGYC!
I've received a huge number of requests about how to get aboard the DGYC.
Here's how Bjorn Endresen figured out how to do so!

Subject:       DGYC membership one step closer
Date:           Sat, 17 Sep 2005 17:32:02 +0200
From:          "bjorn endresen" <bendresen@hotmail.com>
Hi Ted,
     As suggested I wrote to the editor of the DG news, he forwarded it to the DGYC, and got the answer you see below.
     It's great, he's welcoming new members and they still have the life long membership oppurtunity for 40 dollars. I've sent the form and the fee and will let you know if things are working.
     Maybe you want to keep the info in case some other ignorant comes up and asks you - your name pops up quite a lot when googling for Diego Garcia Yacht Club.
     Thanks again for your help.
Bjorn
 

From: "Hastings, David G. ET2 (NSFDG)" <HastingsD@dg.navy.mil>
To: "'bendresen@hotmail.com'" <bendresen@hotmail.com>
Subject: DGYC membership
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 10:00:07 +0600

Bjorn,
Thank you for your interest in the DGYC, as the current Secretary and Tresurer, I invite you as a member.  Here is the information needed as well as an application, What I need from you is to have you fill this application out and submit the lifetime member fees of $40 and send to the address below.

WELCOME TO THE DIEGO GARCIA YACHT CLUB

       The Diego Garcia Yacht Club (DGYC) was established in May 1979 by a group of yachting enthusiasts for the mutual benefit of all island residents and transient personnel who were interested in any aspect of the sport.  Since it's inception, the club has flourished and now has over 10,000 lifetime members worldwide.  The DGYC is affiliated with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and the United States Naval Sailing Association (USNSA).  In Jan 2005 the DGYC changed its classification from a private organization to special interest group under Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR).
       The Yacht Club sponsors and organizes monthly socials, regattas, as well as instruction in sailing and windsurfing, assisting MWR.  The DGYC also has its own line of clothing and leisure items that are available thru the MWR Marina.

ROUTINE EVENTS

                               *       Socials & Regattas - As Published
                               *       Monthly Member's Meeting - 1st Wednesday of the month @ 1700

ANNUAL EVENTS

                               *       Escape the Rock - Build something that floats to race
                               *       DG Windsurf Cup - Annual Windsurfing
Competition
                               *       Chagos Challenge - Annual Sailing Competition

DGYC MEMBER BENEFITS

                               *       Guest benefits at affiliated Yacht Clubs worldwide
                               *       Use of Yacht Club Sailing equipment
                               *       Storage for sailing, windsurfing and Kite boarding gear
                               *       Camaraderie amongst fellow Sailors, Windsurfers and Boarders

HOW DO I JOIN THE DIEGO GARCIA YACHT CLUB?

       The DGYC is located between the MWR Marina and the Brit Club.  Anyone wishing to join will be welcome, not only experienced sailors, but also those who are beginners.  All that is required is to fill out the application form, submit payment for a lifetime membership of $40 and the desire to have some fun.  If you wish to be an active member or assist with any activities/club-sponsored events please contact one of the Yacht Club Officers.  We very much look forward to seeing you.

DIEGO GARCIA YACHT CLUB
PSC 466   BOX 15
FPO, AP  96595-0015
Telephone:  011-246-370-4977
Fax: 011-246-370-4413

R/
Dave Hastings
Sec/Tres. DGYC
011-246-370-3318

DATE:__________________
NAME:___________________RANK/CIV:________ACTIVITY:______________
HOME / MAILING ADDRESS__________________________________________
                      __________________________________________
                      __________________________________________
EMAIL (1) :________________________ (2) :______________________________
DOA IN DG:__________________EST. DEP. DATE:______________________
PHONE:_________________BEQ/ BOQ/ RM:_____________________________
Intended membership status:        ACTIVE  (   )
                                   SOCIAL  (   )
                                   ABSENT (   )
Are you a member of any other sailing organizations:
1:_______________________________________________________
2:_______________________________________________________
3:_______________________________________________________

Previous Experience:                  Membership Card # :___________
(   )  Sailing Instructor
(   )  Windsurfing                    DGYC Receipt # :_______________
(   )  Sail Racing
(   )  KiteBoarder                    Lifetime Dues Paid:  (   )
(   )  Sailboat Owner
(   )  Sailboat Operator              Signature: ______________________
(   )  Other: ______________________

Commodore: ______________________  Secretary: ______________________
Treasurer: ______________________
 
 

From Bill Marshall <william.r.marshall@mchsi.com> May 1, 2008:  Regarding the derelict boat in the photo on the yacht club page 1: I don't have much info on the boat but I remember it being there on the beach in '77 when I arrived.  I think it had the name "Saratoga" on the transom, so I assume it was of American origin.  I have no idea when it might have arrived at its final resting place nor how long after the photo was taken that it deteriorated into the sand as I'm sure it must have done.