The first Cockburn Sound Regattas, from 1957 until 1969, were started and hosted by the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club.
During the 1955/56 sailing season it was Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club's turn to host the Prince Phillip Cup for the Dragon class yachts that were just becoming established in W.A.
A very distinguished member of Royal Freshwater, the then Governor of Western Australia, Sir Charles Gairdner, suggested that Cockburn Sound could be a venue for a 'Cowes' type regatta and inspired the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club to take up the challenge to host the event in Cockburn Sound.
On the 2nd of May 1956 Royal Freshwater club officials held a special meeting to consider the formation of an `ocean racing annexe' or perhaps another yacht Club in the vicinity of Rockingham.
At that meeting it was stressed that sufficient area must be procured to provide for the future expansion of the 'ocean going' activities of the club. It was resolved that arrangements to secure a sea base south of Fremantle be proceeded with 'forthwith'. At that time the Cruising Yacht Club did not exist, but there were a group of gentlemen in Rockingham who were known as the 'Friday Club'. They were interested in forming a Yacht Club at Rockingham.
Discussions took place between the committee officials of the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and members of the 'Friday Club' during 1956 and, in November of the same year, a further meeting was held at Royal Freshwater to discuss the formation of the Cruising Yacht Club of Western Australia at Rockingham. A motion was moved and supported unanimously that the Royal Freshwater BayYacht Club fully support the establishment of the Cruising Yacht Club of W. A at Rockingham.
During the second half of 1956 it was decided that Royal Freshwater would host an annual sailing regatta in Cockburn Sound at Rockingham. It was to be known as the Cockburn Sound Regatta and was to be held over the New Year period. As a result the first Cockburn Sound Regatta committee was formed.
The inaugural Cockburn Sound Regatta was conducted in early January 1957 and was hosted by the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club.
The Regatta was launched by Sir Charles Gairdner at a ceremony conducted from the bunting adorned Rockingham town jetty. Unfortunately whilst Sir Charles and the Commodore were engaged in the opening ceremony the starter started the Dragon Class race in which they were participating. The two gentlemen were observed to beat a hasty retreat to reappear shortly afterwards, dressed in suitable garb, to board their respective vessels to pursue the fleet.
That inaugural regatta attracted 160 entries, including 5 or 6 from Rockingham and 2 from Singapore. Sir Charles Gairdner continued as Patron of the Regatta until his appointment as Governor of Tasmania in 1963.
By 1965 the Cruising Yacht Club had become firmly established and gradually, over a five year period, Royal Freshwater handed the responsibility for the management of the regatta over to that club. The Cruising Yacht Club assumed full responsibility in 1970.
Since then the Cruising Yacht Club of W.A. has continued to host the Regatta each year, with the exception of 1991, when the new Club was being built.
TCYC 1978
