club rules

Club rules / policies

Policies and Procedures

Access

The main gate is kept locked, except during club events, please ensure if you may be last out you lock them, always bring a set of keys with you to the club. We suggest if you wish to lock a gate whilst down at the club lock the nearest gate to the barrier in case of an accident. Keys for the main gate and clubhouse are available from the bar as explained on your joining letter (a refundable deposit is required). Extra keys are available for purchase from the bar. The key to the clubhouse opens the car park side exterior door, the clubroom door and also the key box on the wall in the main corridor. Keys for safety boats, race office, some training boats and the training store are kept in this box. There is a digital lock on the corridor doors which should be left locked unless the clubroom is in use (ie it is busy), the number is provided on your membership confirmation letter. The barrier into the club grounds has a code of the first four digits of clubhouse code, you should then press enter after typing them in. Please do not give this number to anyone, there is a visitor code which gets changed regularly near the phone and behind the bar, please use this for visitors or anyone at the gate. The reason for the barrier is thefts, so far it appears to have worked.

You must lock up after you finish, both the clubhouse and gates, especially if you think you are the last person (check the clubhouse if you are last out). Everyone should have keys and if you are one of the last either lock up or check someone there has keys and will lock up. If in doubt lock up.

Speed limits

There are speed limits on the access road. In the interests of safety and keeping road maintenance costs down, please obey these limits. This is especially important in the vicinity of parked cars near the clubhouse and slipways where there are likely to be young children.

Catering

The galley and bar are open for the purchase of food and drinks during club racing and social events. At other times, members may make themselves hot drinks and an honesty tray is provided for payment, you must wash up anything you use properly (it may be you using it next time!), and put it away.

Smoking

There is no smoking in the clubhouse.

Dogs

It is a condition of our lease that dogs are kept under control at all times. All dogs are to be kept on a lead in the vicinity of the clubhouse or play area. Any fouling is to be cleared up by the person responsible for the dog. Dogs are not permitted in the clubhouse, except working dogs for disabled persons.

Berthing

Dinghies and boards may be stored at the club on payment of a berth fee. The boat park is arranged according to the type of boat. New members seeking a space should consult the Boat Park Manager. The Membership Secretary will issue a berthing sticker, which must be displayed on the rail to the left of the boat space. Any boats located in a berth without an up to date sticker are likely to be moved to allow for new members boats (the up to date sticker should be displayed by early April). No craft other than dinghies or boards may be stored at the club and members may only store one craft in their allocated berth. Owners are responsible for ensuring their boats/boards are properly tied down, the club provide suitable ties in the ground either side of designated berths (except toppers) these may be under grass etc. You should cut the grass round your berth and strimmers are available.

There is a very limited number of windsurfing berths in a container for regular users of the water. Please contact David Eberlin – there is normally a waiting list.

Liability for loss or damage

Members, their guests and visitors are reminded that:

Members of the Club, their guests or visitors may use the Club premises and any other facilities of the Club entirely at their own risk and, by implication acknowledge that the Club will not accept any liability for any damage to or loss of property belonging to Members, their guests or visitors to the Club.

Insurance

ALL persons and craft whether cruising or racing, stored or sailed at the club must carry current third party insurance with a minimum cover of £2,000,000. Failure to comply with this requirement will be considered a gross misconduct, which may result in the member responsible for the craft being expelled from the club, and further action as appropriate.

If you bring visitors to the club you are responsible for them, and must remain on site whilst they are here. If you are letting them helm your craft please ensure they are insured to do this and are competent.

Accidents / Incidents

All accidents and incidents must be recorded on the incident form which is kept by the key cupboard. This includes breakages etc to allow an insurance claim to be made if appropriate. First aid is also available in the training hut & near the key cupboard a defibrillator is available at the club, and a spine board is in the Disabled WC. There are often First Aiders and doctors who are members at the club during activities.

Child Protection

The child protection policy is available from the Secretary, on the website and a copy is in the clubhouse.

Photographs

We often take photographs for use on the web and publicity and the like, these may also be published. If anyone has any objection to photos of themselves or their sons/daughters being used please will you let us know, and we will endeavour to exclude the people concerned. Rights to use names and likenesses  members and club users automatically grant to the club authority without payment the right in perpetuity to make, use and show any motion pictures, still pictures and live, taped or filmed television of or relating to events at the club.

E mail and contact details

It is a condition of membership that up to date e mail, telephone number and addresses are provided to the membership secretary.

Rules that apply to all water users

Cruising is permitted on any day from March to September, from dawn to dusk, and on Sundays from October to December, from dawn until 30 minutes before dusk. No sailing is allowed between New Year’s Day and the end of February.

Craft that may use the water are restricted to sailing dinghies under 22ft in overall length (including any bowsprit or similar contrivance when fully extended), windsurfers and club motorboats. No other craft (canoes, cruisers, rafts, rowing boats or motor boats) are permitted on the water, except as part of an organised activity approved by the Sailing Committee. Water use will be limited to boats with a PYN not lower than a 505 which is currently 902. Any person wishing to sail a boat with a lower PYN must have prior permission from the Sailing Committee.

During club racing, cruising craft must keep clear of racing craft and the start and finish lines (adjacent to the committee boat). Cruising sailors who do not keep clear will be required to leave the water. During Open Meetings no cruising is allowed, except at the discretion of the Race Officer.

Responsibility

All sailors take to the water entirely at their own risk and the club cannot be held responsible for any loss and damage to persons or property howsoever caused. Every owner/user warrants the suitability of his/her sailing craft for use on the water. The safety of the craft and her entire management, including insurance, shall be the sole responsibility of the owner / user who must ensure that the craft and crew are adequate to face the conditions that may arise.

The club controls all sailing and all members must adhere to the instructions given by the Race Officer. The Race Officer may be overruled, and must abide by, the joint instruction of a Flag Officer, the President or the Sailing Secretary, together with one member of the Sailing Committee or by three members of the Sailing Committee.

Safety craft are available at all times during the season, but are only manned when there is racing or an organised event. All adult members should be familiar with the use of the safety boats in case of an emergency (courses are available) all who drive safety boats should have been on the club safety boat course. Junior members must be supervised when cruising and parents, or their representatives, are responsible for ensuring that appropriate safety cover is available.

Personal buoyancy

No person is allowed on the water without adequate personal buoyancy. This shall be at least a waistcoat type buoyancy aid, appropriate to body weight and in good condition, except in the case of adult windsurfers (over 18 years old) wearing a torso or full body wet suit, who may choose not to wear a buoyancy aid at their own risk. Anyone not complying with this policy will be required to leave the water. Parents are strongly advised to ensure that young children wear adequate personal buoyancy when playing near the water and must be adequately supervised at all times. The buoyancy aid should be properly adjusted and fit well, so it can not slip off (over the head).

Clothing

It is strongly recommended that adequate warm and windproof clothing is worn at all times on the water, especially in the cold months when wet suits or dry suits should be worn.

Distress call

When in need of assistance on the water, wave both arms high in the air, reaching across the head but not crossing.

Cruising times