100 Years of Yachting in Lyttelton
As a central location for all open water sports, the Naval Point Club Lyttelton is a fantastic starting point to access the water of Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō and explore the many bays of Banks Peninsula/Horomaka. With over 700 members, the club formed in 2001 following the amalgamation of the Banks Peninsula Cruising Club and the Canterbury Yacht and Motor Boat Club. This year, the Club marks it’s centenary, commemorating the founding of the Canterbury Yacht and Motor Boat Club in 1921 and celebrating 100 years of yachting in Lyttelton harbour.
07 Sept 2021 | 4 min read
The Sinclair family has a long history with the Club and yachting in Canterbury. Of the 40 founders of the Canterbury Yacht and Motor Boat Club, seven were Sinclair family members. The Club was initially formed to allow Sam Sinclair (Eliot Sinclair’s uncle) to represent Canterbury in the 1922 Saunders Cup in Dunedin. Eliot Sinclair himself was a keen yachtsman and notched up many notable sailing achievements, including winning the prestigious Saunders Cup for five consecutive years between 1932 and 1936.
This year, we are proud to recognise Eliot Sinclair’s love for sailing in Lyttelton as the Platinum Sponsor of the Club’s centenary celebrations, The Eliot Sinclair Centenary Regatta. The centenary event is open to anyone with a love or interest in sailing and runs over Show Weekend 2021, Thursday 11th November – Saturday 13th November.
The event will celebrate the Club’s long history in Lyttelton and a book documenting the story of the club will be launched as part of the celebrations. Eliot’s family have been instrumental in helping the organisers research the history of the club, helped in no small part by Eliot’s extensive photography collection and meticulous note taking.
Thursday 11th November 2021
Welcome drinks
The celebrations kick off with an open invitation to a “meet and greet” at The Naval Point Club from 6pm. Past and present members of the Club will be present and anyone with an interest in sailing is invited.
Friday 12th November 2021
Eliot Sinclair Centenary Regatta Day 1
The first of two regatta days at Lyttleton harbour, the afternoon kicks off at 1pm with 5 short races including the Young 88 Sinclair Family Race. With the main aim of the day to have fun, this is going to be a day full of excitement and entertainment. Local businesses and teams are invited to put forward crews of three to five people and charter a boat in the Sinclair Family Race. With a skipper and at least one crew member provided by the Club on each boat, lack of sailing experience is no barrier to entry and lunch is provided for all sailors.
Spectators are welcome at Lyttelton harbour and the day finishes with the Eliot Sinclair Centenary Regatta Prize Giving and book launch at the Naval Point Club from 4:30pm.
Saturday 13th November 2021
Eliot Sinclair Centenary Regatta Day 2 and Gala Dinner
Club racing takes place from 1pm and spectators are welcome at Lyttelton Harbour to join in the excitement of race day.
The weekend culminates in the Eliot Sinclair Centenary Gala Dinner at Rydges, Latimer Square from 7pm. An evening of food and entertainment, the event is open to members, guests, and anyone with a love of sailing. Dress to impress with a 1920’s style encouraged. Tickets are $95 or a table of 10 for $900, visit the Naval Point Club for tickets.
