[1][2] The earliest records of sailing on Nainital Lake are from 1880, when lead keels Cutter type yachts were used.

[2] In 1897, Nainital Sailing Club was established and the "Sorceress" type of yachts were used for many years.

[1] Known as "Linton Hope Half-Raters", they were specially designed to suit the wind conditions on the Nainital Lake, and apart from India are only found in the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club in England.

Yachting on the lake was reserved for members till 1970, but today non-members and tourists can sail for a fee.

To encourage yacht sailing and boost water sports tourism, the Governor of Uttarakhand in 2014 launched, after a gap of four decades, the Governor's Gold Cup Sailing Regatta, an annual three-day event where sailors from across India compete in the races.