Captain Nigel Hacking 

Captain Nigel Hacking, former Secretary General of the RYA and IYRU has sadly passed away.

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of former Secretary General of the RYA, Captain Nigel Hacking.  

Captain Hacking joined the RYA as Assistant Secretary in 1958 and went on to become Secretary in 1967.

During this time he was also the Secretary General of the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU – now known as ISAF) which at the time was based within the RYA.  

Affectionately known as ‘The Hack’ by staff, he was a terrific supporter of youth and women’s sailing. He was an active sailor  and learnt to windsurf long before it became an international sport.  

In 1975 Captain Hacking left the RYA and became the first full-time Secretary General of the IYRU, a position he held until his retirement in 1987.

He was instrumental in the transition of the IYRU from the auspices of the RYA to a fully independent organisation and for the development of the IYRU towards the ISAF we see today.  

Sarah Treseder, Chief Executive, and the staff of the RYA offer their condolences to Captain Hacking’s family.