Yacht Club Rapperswil
Yacht Club Rapperswil (YCR) is an active sailing club on the upper Lake Zurich with its harbour in Rapperswil. Founded in 1922, the club hosts in-house regattas, inter-club events such as the Pentecost and spring regattas, and typically international Swiss championships in active boat classes every two years. Facilities include moorings in the town harbour, a dinghy platform with club boats in ILCA 7 and 420er classes, a slipway at the Lido, a clubhouse, and club-owned J/70 yachts. The programme covers junior, student and J/70 training, regatta courses, sail coaching, winter training and social events from opening to closing of the season and the summer festival. Young and old from around twelve years of age are welcome; owning a boat is not required for membership.
History
On 18 November 1922, 27 sailing and motorboat enthusiasts from Rapperswil, Stäfa, Richterswil and the Zurich Oberland founded Yacht Club Rapperswil at a constitutive general meeting at Hotel Schwanen in Rapperswil. A Pentecost regatta was already held in 1923, and the club became a fixture on the upper Lake Zurich. Over the decades, figures such as Dr Hans Gwalter (founding president 1922–1934), Dr Emil Gwalter (1958–1976) and more recently Martin Caspar (2015–2023) shaped club life. Fabian Schnyder has served as president since 2023. In 2022 YCR celebrated its centenary with major highlights: the International Swiss Star Class Championship (26–29 May 2022), the Pentecost regatta with vintage yachts (5–6 June 2022), a gala banquet at Rapperswil Castle (3 September 2022) and a founding celebration with the christening of a J/70 club yacht on 18 November 2022. Thanks to a generous patron, the club received a sports club yacht for its youth programme as a centenary gift. The harbour in Rapperswil has been actively operated for decades; harbour regulations entered into force on 15 March 1992 and govern berths, the season and temporary visitors. Today YCR organises several club regattas each year, international events such as the Pentecost and spring regattas, works closely with OST Rapperswil (OST Sailing) and offers training for juniors, students and J/70 sailors along with an active social calendar including New Year's apéro, opening and closing sails, summer festival and regular Monday gatherings.
Information
Facilities
Harbour on the upper Lake Zurich in Rapperswil with moorings in the town harbour, dinghy platform for club boats, slipway at the Lido, clubhouse with club room, club-owned J/70 yachts and the Onyx sailing yacht.
Activities
In-house and international regattas, junior, student and J/70 training, sailing and regatta courses, sail coaching, winter training, foredeck crew exchange and sailor pool, plus social events such as New Year's apéro, opening sail, closing sail, summer festival and Monday gatherings.
Youth section
Active junior section with training from age 12, Tuesday evening training and regattas; club-owned J/70 yacht for youth.
Guest berths
Yes, temporary berths by permit