Tenerife Royal Nautical Club Welcomes Back 200 Former Members
Tenerife's Royal Nautical Club successfully attracted 200 former members back during a three-month campaign last year, offering a special maximum rejoining fee of 5,000 euros and increasing its total membership to over 5,000.
The Royal Nautical Club of Tenerife, a club with over a century of history in the island's capital, recently ran a very successful membership campaign. This effort, which took place over three months from October to December last year, brought back 200 former members. The club now has more than 5,000 members.
This campaign is especially noteworthy because, for many years, it has been difficult for people who aren't direct descendants of existing members to join. Traditionally, the club's rules only allowed members' children to keep their membership once they turned 29. The recent drive offered a special chance for former members to rejoin. They could come back for a maximum fee of 5,000 euros, no matter how long they had been away. This was a big change, as the usual fee is 1,100 euros for each year a person has been disassociated, which could often add up to a much higher cost.
Andrés Orozco, who became the club's president in mid-2024, is pleased with how well the campaign was received. It brought back former members of all ages, including some over 70. Orozco, who prefers to keep a low profile, said he is proud to contribute to the club, which he has felt a strong personal connection to since before he was born. He also pointed out that, despite being president, he pays his fees and for services just like any other member. He believes this is crucial for him to remain independent and objective when assessing the club's services.
Founded on December 26, 1902, and ideally located on the coast of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the Royal Nautical Club is a top spot for many sports. Members can enjoy sailing, tennis, swimming, basketball, frontenis, and squash. The club's members come from all walks of life, from retirees who use the facilities to schoolchildren attending its sports academies.
The club is also known for its excellent management, having received the highest rating among private organizations from the Transparency Commissioner. It holds a concession to use its facilities until 2041. Looking ahead, the club plans improvement projects, such as renovating its well-known sports pavilion. However, these plans depend on various factors: timelines, opportunities from the Port's Special Plan, financial assessments, and the final vote of the members. The club also rewards its most loyal members: 800 members who have been part of the club for over 45 years are exempt from paying fees.