Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club

Founded in 1932, ZVYC is one of Cape Town's oldest Yacht Clubs.
⛵️Sailing
⛵️Rowing
⛵️Events
⛵️Venue hire Elkan Green, at the age of 20, was the fist secretary.

Early in 1932 a general meeting was held with the idea of forming a proper club. Nineteen enthusiasts gathered on veranda at “Skipper’s”, but things moved very slowly. A wooden shack was built, with a sail locker at the rear. Vice Admiral Tw**die lent his support to the fledgling club and Lady Tw**die performed the official opening. The club grew in strength and soon there was a fleet of about 20

boats ranging from canvas sailing canoes to a few scows and then Redwings came in numbers from Table Bay. Elkan Green brought in an Uffa Fox International dinghy and plans for the Sharpie, of which there was soon a big fleet.

‘Pop” Bongers designed a new clubhouse that was built by the members where today the swimming pool is. The Governor-General, the Earl of Claredon, opened it on February 12, 1934. A path had been cut through the bush to Peninsula Road to allow him access but then it was discovered that he could not walk that far and the path had to be widened to accommodate his car. This ‘path; is the existing ‘Governors Walk.’

In those far off days the Vlei would almost dry up in summer leaving only narrow channels to sail in. The winter of 1942 brought disastrous floods to the area and a channel was dug to the sea and a weir built to control the level of the water. This weir was later raised by over one meter. A w**d (Potomageton) started to grow in the Vlei in 1939 that made sailing very difficult. A fund was established and an underwater w**d-cutting machine was brought in from America. It was mounted on a barge and cut the week a meter below the surface, but to no avail. This battle continued until, as suddenly as it had appeared it sickened and died. All manners of explanations were given but it is thought that the chemicals sprayed on it by the Council helped quite a bit. By 1954 membership and boat ownership had increased to such an extent that an adjoining property knows as “Skipper’s” was acquired for a junior clubhouse, boat parking and an unofficial pub. The main classes at that time were the Flying Dutchmen, Sharpie, Goodricke, Finn, Sprog, Andy and Dabchick. Dinghy sailing was at its peak in the 1960’s and early 70’s. The very successful training and racing boat for juniors, the Optimist, was introduced in 1971. By 1979 the Vlei had become badly silted up and a dredger was brought in to pump out the mud, which it did with reasonable success. In the early hours of Wednesday, March 2, 1983 a fire broke out in the thatched roof of the clubhouse, and by morning the distinctive landmark was a pile of smoldering ruins. Money came into the re-building fund from far and wide and just one year later on March 24, almost 50 years after the first little building had been opened, the new clubhouse was opened by the Chief of the Navy, Admiral Dries Putter. In the early 1860’s, 6 to 10 rowing clubs were formed and they used to race in Table Bay for the Table Bay Victoria Trophy. Alfred Club was forming in 1864 and had its headquarters at various sites on the Vlei. As the only surviving club of that era, and with its own long history, it was incorporated in the ZVYC in 1986. In 1991 Bishops and SACS rowing clubs joining forces with ZVYC and built sheds to house their boats. In the same year the Western Cape Radio Sailing Club was incorporated in ZVYC. With urban development, the catchment area for the Vlei has become far greater than it ever was. This brings the problem that the run off of fertilizers and manure from the farms as well as pollution is carried into the Vlei. This is a long-term problem that the council is addressing. In the early 1990’s Water Hyacinth became and increasing problem in the Vlei. For the past number of years a ‘draw-down’ (opening of the weir) has taken place for two to three months in the winter. This has allowed the council and Rondevlei Nature Reserve to remove the Hyacinth by mechanical means. The winter rains have, with the weir being open flushed out the Vlei to reduce the build up of silt and give us clean water for the season.

Photos from Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club's post

11/02/2026

Read the EWN article regarding the continued closure of Zeekoe Vlei. Read the full article https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/02/03/zeekoevlei-closure-drags-on-amid-water-quality-concerns and listen to the radio interview with Leonardo Manus who is the executive director of water and sanitation for the City of Cape Town. https://www.primediaplus.com/zeekoevlei-still-closed-over-water-quality-concerns/

04/02/2026

Looking for a versatile venue right on the water?
Our clubhouse on Zeekoevlei is ideal for weddings, birthdays, and corporate events of all kinds.
Click the link in bio or tap here for more details and bookings.

Photos from Cape 2 Rio Yacht Race's post

04/02/2026

04/02/2026

Female Sailors are Invited to Apply and Tryout for the South African Entry to the 2026 NYYC Woman's International Regatta

We have an exciting opportunity ahead for woman who are keen to race internationally, and invite those to trials for a position onboard. This campaign is led by Olympian Dominique Provoyeur.

Regatta : 2026 NYYC Women's International Championship
Dates : 6 - 20 Sept (Incl travel)
Boat : IC37 (Mark Mills Design and similar to Cape31)
Cost : Currently self funded but plan to fund raise. An approximate cost per person would be 50k.
Number of crew : Weight Limit is 686kg for the team, so approx 10

General outline of the next 8 months (subject to weather and availability)
4 Weekend days training sessions per month (various coaches will be appointed to assist in position specific roles)
4 weekday sessions per month.
2 days a month theory (rules, downwind trim, upwind trim, etc)
3 days a week physical training in your own time - endurance+strength+mobility + evaluations (online or in person)

We would like to invite those interested to fill in the application online -
https://forms.gle/dBXV53SAj2iAsssn7

All applicants are invited to trials and on-water assessments, with the first trial scheduled for 7 February 2026 at Royal Cape Yacht Club from 08:00. Further details will follow.

30/01/2026

Our community stands united.
Today, Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club and partner schools and rowing clubs have called on the City of Cape Town to take urgent action on the closure of Zeekoevlei.
Over 10,000 young people and community members have been affected. We need accountability, transparency, and a plan to reopen our vlei.City of Cape TownMayor Geordin Hill-Lewis

26/11/2025

The wait is almost over — the Western Cape Inter-Schools Regatta is happening this weekend at Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club!

Only 3 days to go until two days of racing, teamwork, and school spirit hit the Vlei.
It’s time to get hyped, gather your crew, and represent your school on the water.

📅 29 & 30 November
📍 Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club
🔗 Link in bio to sign up
ℹ️ More info at zvyc.co.za

Let’s make it a weekend to remember. Who’s ready?

19/11/2025

The race is on.
Two days. One Vlei. Endless school spirit.
Western Cape Inter-Schools Regatta | 29–30 Nov | ZVYC
Link in bio to enter.

19/11/2025

From first-time racers to seasoned sailors, the Inter-Schools Regatta brings everyone together for a weekend of racing and fun.
Join us at Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club on 29–30 November.
Link in bio to enter.

19/11/2025

Sails up, teams ready, and the countdown begins.
The Western Cape Inter-Schools Regatta is almost here — two days of racing, teamwork, and fun on the Vlei.
Let’s see which school will claim the top spot this year.

29 & 30 November | Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club

31/10/2025

🌊 Today! 🌊

Tonight, Story Waves returns to Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club with an evening of stories, laughter, and conversation!

🎭 Join Megan Choritz — acclaimed Cape Town actress, writer, and theatre director — in conversation with Liesl Jobson about her story “Murmur Becomes a Wave”, featured in the award-winning anthology When Water Wants To (Wits Press, 2025).

🗓 Friday, 31 October 2025
📍 Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club
⏰ 18h30 meet & mingle | 19h00 talk begins
🍷 Snacks by Rochelle’s Kitchen | Bar open
📚 Books on sale & signings after the talk

Free entry — everyone welcome!
RSVP: [email protected]

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Location

Cape Town

Telephone

+27217053373

Website

http://www.zvyc.co.za/, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZNW38_OqFGZyiP3iD3ITBGj3Yjiiw0rn4rTiDDaQhOMjn6Q/viewf

Address

Peninsula Road
Cape Town
7941

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 13:00
Sunday	09:00 - 17:00

Zeekoe Vlei Yacht Club

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