RWYC Summer 2021
As members may have noticed, the club is very busy at the moment. This is a good thing, particularly as we return to normal operating procedures at the club. The pandemic and HM Government placed restrictions on what we could and could not do for some time but thankfully, we are almost back to normal. We ask that members continue to keep everyone safe by observing and undertaking the arrangements set out on the board at the entrance to the club. Membership is buoyant and now above pre-pandemic levels so we need to work together in a spirit of mutual respect and co-operation. As we now have a significant number of new temporary members, and for the benefit of all, please see a few reminders set out below.
Use of the Club House and Changing Rooms
At the time of writing, masks do not need to be worn but we are encouraging sensible, personal social distancing and discouraging the use of showers. The changing rooms are open. Eating and drinking arrangements are also back to normal; please be guided by Zoe as to what is on offer when.
Boat Park & Car Park
Members will also have noticed that at peak times, pressure on both the boat and car park is evident. Could we please ask that members only bring one car per membership to the club and respect the designated spaces/guidelines in place on the boat park.
Club Rules
Please be advised that the Management Committee is going to re-visit the club rules and consult on any proposed changes, well in advance of the 2022 AGM. For now, could we please ask that everyone adheres to one particular rule, number 16 “Guests of a Member.”
Members may introduce guests provided that the member enters the name and address of the guest in the book (located in the foyer,) provided for the purpose, together with their own name.
- No member may have more than four guests at any one time without permission from a club
- A person may not be introduced as a guest on more than three days in any one year, without permission of a club
A guest may not use the clubhouse unless accompanied by the introducing member, but a guest may enter the club grounds unaccompanied.
Blackwell Sailing
Members should be aware that we have agreed (for one season in the first instance,) for Blackwell Sailing to have use of a portion of our outside space on Wednesdays and Fridays between 9.30am – 4.00pm. It has also been agreed that Blackwell can use the northernmost jetty at these times. The agreement also permits Blackwell to bring a minibus and two cars into the car park at the specified times; this should not inconvenience members and shows our commitment to inclusive sailing for all. Blackwell is paying for their use of the club. The arrangements will be reviewed in the autumn.
Sail Ransome
We have agreed to accommodate (on a trial basis,) the dinghy ‘Swallow’ used in the making of the 1974 film of Swallows and Amazons. The dinghy is owned by Sail Ransome, who have taken out temporary, single ordinary, membership of the club (which includes one parking space) and paid for a space in the boat park. Members of Sail Ransome will be coming and going but have been asked to respect the same rules as everyone else regarding guests.
Use of Club Boats and Equipment
The club now has stand up paddle boards, picos, teras, fevas and bahias to hire at prescribed times. Please note however, that in order to make use of club boats, members need to have obtained RYA Level 2 or a degree of competency to the satisfaction of a fleet captain/secretary or officer of the club. Those members demonstrating this level of competence will be provided with confirmation of this. (Sunday morning Adult Squad will provide the opportunity for gaining a note of competence.) When seeking to hire club boats, members will need to show the steward, Zoe either the note of competence or RYA certificate. The cost of hire is £15 for each vessel, for two hours. A hire form must be completed and payment made prior to use. Zoe, our club steward administers this hire. N.B. This club equipment is not available when training is taking place and only during bar opening hours (see website.) Members are advised to contact Zoe beforehand in order to avoid disappointment. As the club is closed on Tuesdays, hire is not available then. The club does have a GP 14 which is available to members for racing but it is not for hire generally. Please find the club’s policy on the use of boats below:
RWYC: Policy on use of club boats
The objective of the policy is to allow the use of the club boats, including paddle boards, to promote the sport of sailing and other water sports activities whilst indemnifying the club and its officials/members from any potential claim in respect of an incident or damage to equipment or person. The club has the right to disallow use of boats if for example there are adverse weather conditions.
Club boats may only be used after reading and signing all of the relevant forms. These are available via Zoe.
Hire fees: £15 per boat for 2 hours (approx)
Club boats may be used as follows:
Sailing Boats:
- Picos/Teras: these may be used as long as they are not required for training purposes.
- Laser Bahias: these may be used as long as they are not required for training.
- GP14, this may be used after contacting the training officer via Zoe. If the training officer is not available then another officer will need to be contacted.
Competent adult sailors using the club boats do so at their own risk. Under 17s must have a parental/guardian disclaimer completed. A competent adult must always accompany juniors. Buoyancy aids must be worn.
Boats will need to be signed in and out, any damage must be reported.
Paddle boards:
These must be signed in and out with Zoe, any accidental damage must be reported after used. A few pointers before the paddle boards are used:
- Make sure Paddle boards are inflated to 18 psi before going afloat.
- When attaching the fin, turn the board upside down. Do not balance the board on its fin. Take care particularly when launching and returning to shore. Please remove the fin after use and put it back in the storage bag in the training room.
- If not going out with an accompanying vessel, boards must be used in pairs.
- Stay within the 6mph boundary (ie no further south than the car ferry and no further north than Windermere Jetty).
- Behind Belle Isle is a good place to paddle.
- Paddle boards are not straight forward to get back onto after falling off, have a practice before going out and stay close to the shore.
- Buoyancy aids must be worn at all times.
- Wash boards after use