The Gulf Yachting Association was organized to promote the sport of yacht racing on the Gulf Coast and nearby areas. Founded in 1901 and reorganized in 1920, the GYA has grown from the original six clubs to over thirty member organizations. The GYA sanctions various yacht events, including interclub competition in Flying Scots, and serves to coordinate the activities of its members.

The GYA is a member of the United States Sailing Association, the governing body of the sport in this country, and is recognized as a member "yacht racing association" of that organization. In this capacity, the GYA provides representation to the national body for Gulf Coast sailors, runs quarter-final eliminations for national championships sanctioned by US Sailing, and provides an Appeals Committee to hear and decide appeals involving the racing rules.

The GYA is one of four yacht racing associations forming "Area D," one of ten "Areas" in the United States. Areas have a representative on the Board of Directors of the United States Sailing Association and the same individual serves as a member of the Council of Sailing Associations, an important representative body within US Sailing. Areas are geographical delineations within the jurisdiction of US Sailing that serve many functions in the administration of the sport.

GULF YACHTING ASSOCIATION ARCHIVES

A GYA Historical Records Collection was established in 1993 in the Special Collections Department of the John C. Pace Library at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. (Phone 850.474.2213)

Currently, the collection contains the Minutes of GYA Board Meetings from November 1920 through December 1984 and originals of Lipton Regatta results from 1920 on.