CLUB SAILING BOATS and EQUIPMENT

The Club Toppers were bought basically for the use of young people. In general they should not be used by adults outside organised Club sessions (Level 1 and 2, Team Racing, etc), and NEVER because “It’s too windy to sail my own boat.” However, an adult Member may well choose to launch 2 Toppers so that they can sail alongside their (8 – 14 year old) child.

When the Club Toppers are sailed by young people they must be closely supervised by a competent adult


The Club GP14s are available during organised Club sessions:
For Formal (and informal) Training
To allow new Members (particularly from Level 1 Courses) to continue to sail while deciding what class of boat would be suitable for them, and going ahead with a purchase.
To enable Members who have their own boats, particularly Lasers, occasionally to take their partner and/or family afloat.
For Members to take guests and interested enquirers afloat.
A period of about 3 months should be sufficient for new sailors to be making decisions on what boat would be suitable for them, and to be at least moving towards a purchase or to have made friends in the Club with one or more boat-owners so that they are able to keep sailing without putting all the wear on the Club boats.

Before sailing a Club GP on any occasion, you should obtain approval from a Member of the Committee or the Sailing and Training Committee who knows you and your sailing ability - or lack of it. Except in organised Training Sessions, the Club GPs may be sailed only with a competent adult helm on board. The Club sailing dinghies are never available for casual use outside scheduled Club sailing sessions, and may not be used in Club racing.

There is a CD-ROM (Powerpoint) available which describes in detail howto set up, launch, recover and put away the Club Toppers and GP14s. If you want a copy of the CD, contact Nigel Nurse (Vice Commodore).


UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

The Committee is aware of the difficulty that many students can experience if they wish to start or continue sailing during their University years. It will often be possible for you to sail with other Members, which will give you experience of different types of boat, as well as meeting more people, so please be alert for these opportunities, but we recognise that to keep sailing you will need to make use of the Club-owned dinghies for some time.
The Club is pleased to offer Student Members use of the Club boats

CLUB EQUIPMENT

Please leave NO EQUIPMENT on top of the lockers in the boathouse. If you lose or break any equipment, please try to repair it or replace it yourself. The Hon. Treasurer will refund any ligitimate expenditure.
Please let the Hon. Bosun know of any problems you experience.

CLUB LIFEJACKETS

The Club does not provide Lifejackets for the use of Members.
The Club owns lifejackets for use on public courses, and possibly for the use of guests. If you sail, a lifejacket is as important a piece of PERSONAL equipment as suitable clothes and shoes, and if you are serious about sailing You need your own lifejacket from whatever age you start !