Established on the 1st of May 1973 on the Le Fevre Peninsula at North Haven, 5 minutes from Semaphore, 10 minutes from increasingly thriving Port Adelaide, and 15 minutes from West Lakes, the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia (CYCSA)’s location is unreservedly convenient. 

Hospitality at the club is something they are very proud of, and the doors are always open to welcome the public to dine, hold functions and experience the CYCSA ambience.  

The CYCSA hosts many events throughout the year, ranging from fun social gatherings to family events, fiercely competitive racing events and everything in between.

Flagship events at the club include:
•    Opening Day (last Saturday in October annually) 
•    Crabbing Day – March
•    Italian Night – July
•    Commodore’s Dinner – September
•    Fred Neil match racing Championships – March
•    Adelaide to Port Lincoln Regatta – Feb
•    Boating & Fishing Showcase – November 

CYCSA sailing includes Keelboat racing, Cruising, Inshore & Offshore, Women’s helm and their recently launched Youth Sailing Foundation Summer Squad training. 

Membership:
The CYCSA offers a range of membership categories to cater their more than 1,200 members and their diverse sporting and social interests. The club offers myriad activities for their members, including yacht racing, powerboating, fishing, cruising or simply making friends in a social atmosphere. 

There are currently 580 berth owning senior (full voting) members, and with a focus on growing junior memberships the club implemented their Youth Sailing Foundation with a fleet of six Elliott 7m keelboats in December 2021.

CYCSA boasts some very notable members and a rich history including three Sydney Hobart winners (SAP Ausmaid in 2000, Two True in 2009 and Secret Men’s Business in 2010).
Their notable members include:

• Sir James Hardy - An Australian winemaker and businessman who is also noted for his yachting achievements.
• Sir Eric Neal AC CVO - An Australian retired businessman and public officer. He is a former Commissioner of Sydney (1987–1988), Governor of South Australia (1996–2001) and Chancellor of Flinders University (2002–2010).
• Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce - A retired Royal Australian Navy officer who was the 34th Governor of South Australia, serving from August 2007 to August 2014. He was Chancellor of the University of Adelaide from 2014 to 2020.
• Nick Bice – Current Club Vice Commodore. Former Race Director of the Ocean Globe Race. America’s Cup Sailor
• Chris Tillett – Olympic sailor 

Programs on offer:
CYCSA operate South Australia’s only fully credited Australian Sailing and Royal Yachting Association training academy with the following programs on offer:

• Discover Sailing
• Start Powerboating
• Women’s Discover Sailing
• Women’s Boating Essentials
• Three Day Live aboard
• Five Day live aboard
• Start Yachting
• Youth ‘Out there Sailing’
• Safety Sundays
• Safety and Sea Survival Certificates
• SSSC Updated course
• Safety Boat Operators
• She Sails initiatives 

CYCSA navigated reasonably well through the COVID-19 pandemic, with most of the South Australia’s population staying within the state and those with an inclination to get into a nautical lifestyle taking the plunge. 

The club continues to strive for success and is proud of the following key initiatives:
•    The very near completion of their marina East maintenance program where all berth fingers have either been refurbished or replaced.
•    The upgrade of the CYCSA Clubhouse facilities and an extension to our Port Vincent Clubhouse.
•    Replacement of key infrastructure having upgraded both a new 2ton Crane and slip wedge.
•    The purchase of a 43.3-foot Beneteau Cyclades yacht to assist with the Cruising pathways offered by their marine academy courses.
•    Modernisation of the Club Constitution inclusive of allowing electronic voting for elections. 

Just 30 minutes from the city, make sure you add the CYCSA as a place to visit on your next trip to South Australia.

Current Commodore: Jacqueline Heffernan