New executive elected for 2007/08

It is now six months since the earthquake and tsunami  that hit Gizo.  PT-109, the home of the yacht club, although damaged, is fully functional, and we have had a number of visiting yachts in the harbour over recent months. GYC members elected a new executive committee at the September AGM. We will keep you updated of the clubs plans for the next year on these pages. 

Earthquake and tsunami in Gizo

As you will now be aware, on Monday 2 April, Gizo and surrounding islands suffered an earthquake of 8.1 on the Richter scale followed by a tidal wave which completely wiped some villages off the face of the earth. PT109, home of the Gizo Yacht Club is still standing but it was badly affected by the earthquake. Once the immediate emergency relief efforts move on to a re-building stage, the damage will be able to be assessed.

Gizo yacht Club members and visiting yachties currently in the harbour, along with the rest of the community are all busy assisting affected people. For a personal impression from the GYC treasurer see GYC News.  If you wish to contribute to the emergency relief efforts and ongoing re-building, donations can be made directly to the Gizo Yacht Club Bank account. Drop us an email to gyc@solomon.com.sb and we will forward bank details. Please use earthquake as a reference and all funds deposited will be used directly toward relief and re-building efforts.  Details of how funds are used will be posted here on the website.

If anyone is planning on visiting Gizo in the near future don’t be put off, you will be welcome and your input to the economy continues to be vital. There may be continued shortages of some foodstuffs and fuel although we expect that will settle down over the next few weeks. Come well stocked and be aware that some channel markers are no longer in place. There are likely to be opportunities for yachts to make deliveries of goods from Gizo and other relief centres to outlying villages. Thank you for the messages of support we have already received. The people of Solomon Islands are resilient and will bounce back from this to greet you with smiles once again.

Gizo Yacht Club announces cancelation of the 2007 Brisbane to Gizo Cruise in Company

GYC will be planning on encouraging yachties to join the event in 2008 by which time we hope confidence in the Solomons as a great sailing destination will have increased. We expect that the Vaka Tepe festival of the Sea in Gizo will go ahead so watch this space for GYC's contribution and join us if you are sailing to the Solomons this year.

War canoes (Tomoko)  line up for races in front of Gizo town during the 2006 Vaka Tepe,  Festival of the Sea

Gizo Yacht Club Charitable Trust Ltd.

Gizo Yacht Club was established in 1996, initially to coordinate the annual Brisbane-Gizo Yacht race, which was held successfully in 1997 and 1998. During the ethnic tensions in Solomon Islands, the club subsided but was been re-activated in September 2005, with its main goal to host the Brisbane-Gizo “Cruise in Company” and to continue to promote yachts to visit the area.