RECREATIONAL SAILING

If you have any feedback or questions regarding Recreational Sailing please contact the Recreational Sailing Contact using recreational.sailing@chanonry.org.uk.

RECREATIONAL SAILING SESSIONS

Friday evenings while there is light are dedicated to Recreational Sailing. There are other opportunities to sail recreationally (not racing) with safety cover on a Sunday afternoon and Wednesday evening when sail racing is programmed.

The calendar states that Sunday sailing is not just for those who want to race by including “Recreational Sailing” in the headline, along with the race event name.

Don’t forget that as days are shorter at the start and end of the sailing season, the temperatures will drop, so make sure you have warmer on-the-water gear when it gets colder. Here are some FAQs you may have, to whet your appetite:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

​What is recreational sailing?

  • A chance to sail at your own pace, talk to other club members, practise skills, or maybe have a go as crew in somebody else's boat…

When?

  • Every Wednesday and Friday evenings, and Sunday afternoons, through the Summer; just Sunday afternoons in the Autumn. Check the club calendar at chanonry.org.uk/calendar.html and Signup.

Can I use the club boats?

  • Absolutely, that's what they are for – and they are available for members to use free of charge!
  • To use them you need to have RYA level 2 or equivalent experience (confirmed by the Training Principal).
  • The club has a fleet of 6 Teras - small single-handed boats, perfect for juniors; 7 Topazes - that can be sailed single or double-handed; 1 Wanderer that can accommodate up to three adults and one Quest that can accommodate up to four adults.
  • Club boats are available on a first come, first served basis. Make sure you fix the masthead buoyancy at the top of your mast to stop inversion and potential damage to the mast.
  • Please ask for help if it's your first time using one of these boats.

What else do I need to be aware of?

  • Please lend a hand launching and recovering the safety boat
  • If there is a race taking place, try to keep clear of the start/finish line, and away from the boats that are racing. Just ask someone before you go out to point out where the race will be taking place if you are unsure
  • Juniors (under 16) will need a responsible adult present - either on the shore or another adult sailor.
  • Please stay within the area defined by the race marks (unless rounding them) to keep things manageable for the safety crew.
  • There is plenty of informal help and advice on hand from other club members. If you're unsure of anything, just ask.
  • Most importantly - have fun. And if you're enjoying recreational sailing, think about volunteering in the future to help out with some of the jobs that help the club to run, like safety crew or shore support - full training and support is provided to anyone interested.
 

GUIDELINEs FOR RECREATIONAL SAILING SESSIONS

  1. There will be a Safety Officer and a Safety Crew, but no Organiser on Fridays. On other days when sail racing is also taking place the Race Officer has overall decision making responsibilities, supported by the Safety boat crew. 
  2. Recreational Sailing sessions are not training activity unless otherwise advertised.
  3. If the Safety Officer feels that conditions are unsuitable he or she will either not launch the Safety Boat or will withdraw safety cover if conditions deteriorate. He or she will do this AFTER informing the sailors on the water and giving them enough time to return to shore. Adults sailing their own dinghies who wish to do so may, of course, continue to sail at their own risk, however, all Club dinghies must be returned to the shore. Parents or adults in loco parentis for juniors out in their own boats are responsible for deciding whether their junior may continue – the Safety Boat crew can relay messages if necessary.
  4. Members' guests are welcome, but will be expected to join the Club after 3 sessions if they wish to continue.
​Members wanting to sail Club boats will be subject to the following conditions:
  • Parents of juniors will be responsible for their children and must either stay at the Club or nominate a suitable adult to act "in loco parentis”.
  • On the 1st Friday they attend, members will be required to produce a Stage 2 / Level 2 certificate or note from the Training Principal confirming their competence to sail a dinghy unsupervised in normal conditions. 
  • Club Dinghies designed to be sailed single-handed may be sailed by only one person at a time. Please sail your own boat as you like.
  • Those wishing to use Club dinghies will do so on a “first come, first served” basis. Sailors are expected to agree dinghy allocation between themselves.