ABOUT THE RVYC
Situated on a largely private beach on the Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Varuna Yacht Club has successfully hosted many international world championships and regional events in its 65-year history. These include the 1984, 2002, and 2010 Asia Pacific Laser Championships, the 2010 Laser Asia Pacific Masters, and the 2010 Laser 4.7 World Championship. More recent events include the IODA Optimist World Championship in 2017, the Dart 18 World Championship in 2019, and the IODA Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship in 2021.
VENUE MAP AND FACILITIES
The club is designed for dinghy sailing, with a large boat park in between the main clubhouse and beach, plenty of hoses, showers, and areas to hang out before and after sailing.
The club’s verandah bar and beach bar are very popular during events, with spectacular sunsets visible from both. The verandah restaurant offers a wide range of dishes from around the world, with the ability to cater to special dietary needs on request.
Special visitor cards will be issued to both sailors and supporters for use ordering food and drinks, as well as to facilitate entry to the club. After registration, supporters are welcome to use the club’s facilities, including the swimming pool, petanque court, and playground for the little ones.
Main Clubhouse:
• Large open-air verandah with round tables and seating for 150-220.
• Professional kitchen serving Thai and international dishes at reasonable prices, and bar. Staff are proficient at catering to special dietary needs as well.
• Indoor restrooms and showers for men, women, and one private restroom. Facilities are checked throughout the day to ensure hygiene.
• Large airconditioned race office and meeting / jury hearing rooms upstairs.
• Private media / jury / scoring / other office space in airconditioned motel rooms on southern side of site.
• Reception and club office downstairs with full time staff available to assist on request.
• Wifi available throughout the property.
Other Features
• Beach bar (with jaw-dropping sunset views year-round), usually very popular during events and often home to spectators with telescopes during the day.
• Large grassy area boat parking space between clubhouse and beach, with rope to be laid down to ensure wide aisles and orderly system. Water hoses strategically installed for post-sailing use.
• First Aid team comes in for events and sets up in front of club office (nearest hospital 4km away).
• Eight outdoor freshwater showers and drying rack between the main clubhouse and junior clubhouse.
• Junior clubhouse equipped with whiteboard for those who wish to use it for team briefings/debriefings and table tennis for those who want to compete off the water.
• Shaded ‘coconut tree stump’ huts on the lawn with beach chairs.
• Swimming pool with section for small children.
• Large grassy area behind main clubhouse with petanque court and playground.
• Boat charters may be set up in the back parking lot or the boat storage area alongside the parking lot.
SAILING RELATED DETAILS
Boat Park / Repairs / Spare Parts
The boat park area is approximately 2,000 sqm with 8 freshwater hose pipes strategically positioned around the area to create smooth transition from beach to parking spot without long waits.
Boats parking spaces will be marked off by ropes or other indicator to ensure ample aisle space for boats to enter /exit.
Any maintenance/repair will be done near the measurement tent which will be in the club’s Boat Storage and Repair zone as shown on the site map. This area is easily accessible by trolley, going up the launching ramp and veering right into the club driveway/parking lot.
There will be an E6E parts shop on site, most likely in a tent in the garden behind the main clubhouse.
Security
Access to the club is protected 24/7 by a security guard and boom gate atop the parking lot. This is the only official vehicle access gate to the club and the adjacent hotel.
Boat Launching / Landing
The club has a semi-private sandy beach on the Gulf of Thailand, with boats launched directly into the sea. Several long-serving boat men assist with launching and return to shore, most of whom have experience from international and regional events we have hosted.
There are no shipping obstructions in the launching / landing area or race area offshore. Most of the year waves are not very high at all, the depth of the water is perfectly sloped to accommodate boat launches and there is plenty of space on the beach for trolley storage and easy retrieval.
Racing Location
Courses are expected to be set up immediately offshore of the club as shown below, subject to change based on conditions.
The white circle represents the racing area (N 12.917571, E 100.849680). This is 5-10 min sail from the club. The red circle represents the medal race area, closer to shore and visible from the beach and beach bar areas of the club (N 12.917571, E 100.849680).
Wind Conditions in mid-February
Usually South to SW wind direction, averaging 8-15 knots with minimal gusts. Temperatures range from 31.1°C (88°F) to an average low of 24.4°C (75.9°F) with water temperature of 27.9°C (82.2°F) and only the rare day of rain. The best stable wind year-round is 11am-5pm, which is when we would schedule racing.
Tidal Conditions
Currents are 0-1 knots moving north to south over the racecourse area and low to high tide can be a difference of 3.5m. The launching / landing site is off a 120m sandy beach directly into the sea, with protection from currents close to shore. Wave height is usually small but can be 1-2m, especially offshore. Boat men are on staff to assist with launching / landing and the beachmaster will oversee where boats launch / land should there be exposed rocks on one side or another of the beach at the time of each regatta.
THE RVYC: A FAMILY-FRIENDLY CLUB WELCOMING SUPPORTERS
For sailor’s families and friends, the club offers visitor cards and welcomes accompanying supporters of all ages. The RVYC is very much a family-oriented club, with many activities to entertain the younger ones from the swimming pool to petanque, a playground, and a large yard where children are allowed to play football and other games.
Outside of regatta dates, supporters are also welcome to rent boats (Laser, Hobie 16, Optimist, Fusion, RS Venture, and RS Vision) for club racing and leisure. The club offers RYA-qualified sailing classes for adults, as well as an extensive sailing program for children during the holidays plus supervised sailing for them on the weekends.
PRE AND POST EVENT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Those that would like to come early or stay a little longer will be welcome at the RVYC. Training events with the club’s top talent can be arranged in the weeks leading up to each event if there is enough interest. Among ILCA fleet events planned in the lead up to the Masters 2023 will be the ILCA Districts in mid-December 2022, the ILCA Thailand Nationals and the Great ILCA Island Race in January 2023. Over the year-end holidays, the club usually also organizes fun day cruises up and long distance island hopping events. More details will be provided here when we have them.
WHERE TO STAY
Nearby accommodations range from very reasonably priced hotel rooms and apartments within 5-10 minutes walking distance to a luxury boutique resort next to the club. See our accommodation guide for recommended properties offering special rates to sailors and supporters.
GETTING AROUND
On Phra Tamnak Hill, where the club is located, the area near the Cosy Hotel as marked on the Area Map below is where people can find minimarts, cafes, pubs, and more, only a 5-10 minute walk from the RVYC.
The club can assist with arranging transport into downtown Pattaya and the many shopping malls, larger supermarkets, and attractions by taxi, ‘songtaew’ (a form of pick up truck with covered back portion and seats in the back), and minivan.
The club has 50 private parking spaces and participants with cars will be allowed to park there. Most visitors use readily available public transport as described above or travel to and from the club on foot.
EXPLORING THAILAND
For participants that want to experience more of Thailand, the club will appoint a travel agent to assist in making arrangements.
Thailand is a truly diverse and beautiful country with beaches, mountains, and many natural wonders. Competitors and guests in past events we’ve hosted often book holidays before and after competitions. The Eastern Seaboard, where the RVYC is located, is a popular holiday destination with family-friendly attractions including floating markets, elephant sanctuaries, diving, and island trips. Amazing shopping bargains abound too. Bangkok and its many attractions – from modern malls and art museums to the palaces and temples along its riverside area – is only a 1.5hr drive away.
The nearest airport also offers easy transport to the cultural sites of the north, the idyllic beaches of the south, and many other destinations including those in neighboring countries.
LOCATION
Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC)
286 Moo 12 Pratamnak Road, Nongpure, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150, Thailand
Tel: +66 38 250 116 Fax: + 66 38 250 116
Website: www.varuna.org
