Admiral's Regatta

General information

History of the Admiral's Regatta

This prestigious 'traditional' annual yachting event first took place in 1991 and is now in its 26th Admiral's Regatta started in the days of sporting isolation and with just a little jibe at another well known regatta. One might be censured for speaking of tradition, which generally looks back on centuries but one cannot ignore the makings of this piece of Cape Town's history.

The Story behind a Republic, an Admiral and a Sword.

When the Round Table organization of Hout Bay decided on a major fundraiser in 1986 - with the idea to proclaim Hout Bay a "Republic" - the idea was daring and promised multiple media exposure, thus the "Republic of Hout Bay" was unilaterally declared and a President elected. Minister portfolios' were up for sale as the main source for the fund raiser and a well known businessman in Hout Bay, with his ownership of a genuine minesweeper purchased from the navy, became Minister of Defence and thus he instantly became known as the 'Admiral'.

In 1991 the 'Admiral' agreed to sponsor a regatta to be sailed over a long weekend in the waters of the South Atlantic off Hout Bay. This was the birth of the Admiral' Regatta and has been sailed ever since during March or April. A replica has since replaced the floating trophy, a genuine Admiral's Sword.