Bognor Regis Yacht Club was founded in Peter & Paul Hickman’s House, Aldwick Avenue, Bognor Regis in 1949. The Club was built on the Culver Cottage site in 1950/51 and the first Commodore was an original founder, Geoffrey Oxley.

The Club prospered and was very successful for many years and was known to be the home of the "Merlin Rocket" an expensive clinker built sailing dinghy. A fairly large fleet was accommodated here and in fact the Club boasted a National Champion in George Slack. Peter Frampton also sailed a Merlin Rocket and was a Commodore in 1975/76. However with the advent of two other clubs within 6 miles of each other, Pagham to the west and Felpham to the east, there was increased competition for the sailors, and in the seasons of 1980-81 the Club fell on bad times.

The current Vice-President and Commodore from 1983-1986, Alan Steed, had other ideas, however and promptly introduced the Club to Catamaran Sailing, by racing "Hobiecat" here. This proved to be a very popular and a small fleet built up at the Club. At the same time a group of Windsurfers joined the Club and with Sailors and Surfers working an playing together the Club again prospered and is now well known as one of the South Coast’s leading Cat and Windsurfing Club.

The Club has a Lady Figurehead which originally was from the "Benvenue" Merchant ship which was damaged in a storm during the 1800’s while on its way to Sydney, Australia, and was washed up on a beach at Sandgate, Kent. The "Lady" was planted on the Yacht Club roof as a hoax by members of the Bognor Branch of the Royal Air Forces Association (R.A.F.A.) who had themselves been saddled with by members of the Worthing Branch of R.A.F.A. Both Branches were invited to the Yacht Club for an official handing over ceremony and were pleased that the "Lady" had found a very suitable permanent home, in front of the Flag Pole looking out to sea.

After some years, however, the softwood had rotted and the "Lady" taken into storage until repairs could be afforded.

The Grand Daughter of the Captain of the "Benvenue" noticed the "Lady" missing while walking along the promenade and upon being told why promptly offered to pay any restoration costs. The work was duly put in hand and in 1982 the "Lady" was restored to her former glory and returned to the Club where she resides inside now but still facing the sea.

Previous Commodores Report from 1957