Sailing as a sport and a pastime was introduced to Nigeria in Lagos around the turn of the century. The earliest photographs dated 1907, show enthusiasts standing by their gaff rigged boats, clad in long trousers and jackets and wearing the obligatory topees, on the very spot where the Club now stands. The Club archives contain photographs of boats, housed in covered sheds and captioned ‘Lagos Sailing Club 1907’ but there are no proper records until October 1931.

The first meeting of the Lagos Yacht Club was held on 4 October 1932 at the original Ikoyi Club. A committee was formed and the fee was set for the annual subscription. The first annual general meeting was held on 13 October 1932 and the officers of the club were appointed. The first official Regatta was held on 29th October and on 31st October the first Sailing Committee was appointed and numbers L1-L9 were allotted to the boats.

Membership of the Club was soon boosted by a surprising and very welcome number of enthusiasts from the Railway. Boats were manhandled over the sand beach on rollers to a bamboo and thatch shelter. It was some more years before the club was able to finance a concrete hard with hauling gear and some sort of Club House.