Early Days The prestigious Royal Cwmtydu Yacht Club (RCYC) is very proud to be oldest boat or sailing club in The UK. Founded in 1406 by Owain Glyndwr, the first Prince of Wales, the RCYC has survived civil wars, world wars and bitter rivalry in it's illustrious 600 year history. It's prestigious list of luminaries include royalty (George V succeeded Owain after his death in 1416), academics like Wiliam Morgan (who translated the Bible in to Welsh in 1580).
Learn MoreFollowing a successful period under the stewardship of George V the RCYC became an important part of Wales's maritime industry. The main figures in Wales at that time were the two Earls of Pembroke, the Yorkist Earl William Herbert and the Lancastrian Jasper Tudor. In 1485 Jasper's nephew, Henry Tudor, landed in Cwmtydu with a small force to launch his bid for the throne of England. Henry was of Welsh descent, counting princes such as Rhys ap Gruffydd (The Lord Rhys) among his ancestors, and his cause gained much support in Wales. Henry defeated King Richard III of England at the Battle of Bosworth with an army containing many Welsh soldiers and gained the throne as King Henry VII of England.
Learn MoreThe decline of the coal and iron ore mining industry in south Wales had a direct effect on the trade through Cwmtudy and resulted in a significant decline in merchant vessels. However the Phillips family had shrewdly anticipated the market situation and had already changed the focus of the RCYC towards the growing and lucrative leisure market. Under the stewardship of the Commodore at that time, Daniel James (known to all as 'Danny Cwmtydu), and with backing and advice from the Phillips family, the club made a huge investment in to developing modern facilities to attract wealthy yacht owners and their vessels.
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