
Est. 1949
One Wednesday in 1949, K.C. Dalton Esq.
The above inscription, which appears on BYRA’s perpetual trophy, “The K.C. Dalton Memorial Trophy”, states in brief how BYRA began. The first and inaugural meeting to form a yacht club or association was held at the home of Mr Dalton, “Marengo” Fermoy Avenue, Bayview, on the 27th November 1949, and an association was formed to be called – Bayview Yacht Racing Association, BYRA for short. Those who were present or had sent an apology plus those who were elected to the committee at the second meeting were declared to be foundation members,
KCK Dalton – the founder of BYRA
Mr. Dalton had prepared a cup for the initial match race, won by Mr Williams in “CHRISTINA”. The BYRA committee, at the second meeting, resolved that the cup be known as the “Dalton Lion Island Perpetual Challenge Cup” and be open to Auxiliary Cruising Yachts acceptable to the committee. The cup was competed for as a challenge between the holder and a challenger, and is now an annual event open to all Auxiliary Yachts approved by the committee.
BYRA started as an all yachts club, the first race being held on 27th December 1949. The yachts started in the vicinity of Bayview wharf, running free to a mark near Riddle’s, thence round a mark in the vicinity of Long Nose, and back to Bayview, three times round. The winner of this race on handicap was “NYRIA” skippered by Mr.G. Solomon.
During 1950 BYRA decided to sponsor the Star class, and Stars were raced at BYRA as the Pittwater fleet until 1958. Mr Dalton had purchased from Melbourne a Star class yacht known as “Tranquil” 2816. This yacht was sailed in all BYRA races for some time and her performance was so satisfactory that other members purchased Stars with the idea of forming a fleet. At a general meeting of the BYRA executive and Star owners in June 1951, it was decided to form a Star Fleet to be known as the Pittwater fleet, and to apply for affiliation with the International Star Class Yacht racing Association of America. The charter was subsequently granted and, at the end of 1951 season, BYRA had ten Stars on the register.
In November 1950,
Early in
Since 1949
The Clubhouse
In the early years (1950/57) a two storey boatshed in the vicinity of Riddles shop was rented from the council for a nominal fee and became the BYRA clubhouse. With the advent of the Moth fleet and growing membership it was seen that a bigger clubhouse would soon be needed, and during the 1956/57 season plans were made to extend the clubhouse. Much of the planning and direction was provided by
The extended clubhouse was opened by the Patron, Mr Dalton, on 23rd November 1957, and was then of upstairs dimensions 40 feet by 38 feet with down stairs accommodation for 40 boats. Eventually hot showers, septic toilets and amenities were installed, making BYRA one of the most comfortable clubhouses in the Sydney area.
With further growth in membership, and the introduction of new classes, the clubhouse was further extended in 1959/60 and capable of storing 72 boats. In the 1966/67 season further extensions were carried out. The 1969/70 season saw the upstairs floor tiled and the interior made more attractive. In 1971/72 the upstairs deck was extended and more storage for boats provided downstairs. In the early stages much of the work was done by voluntary labour, the members being very keen, but the later stages were able to be let out to builders owing to the improved financial status of the club from an enlarged membership.
