Joining Instructions
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Alton Water
Before setting out please check the session information line 07539 480 155 for a pre-recorded message to see if a session has been canceled due to inclement or adverse weather.
You will need to bring with you any hat gloves, scarves, sensible footwear such as trainers, sun bloc and a change of clothes. It can get quite wet on occasions from the spray.
On arrival, having taken a ticket from the entrance barrier, please park in one of the designated carparks or disabled parking area by the Alton Water Sports Centre building and use the footpaths to make your way to our clubhouse.
Once at our clubhouse please let the Beach Master know you have arrived and the sailors name is on the board. Please make sure the Beach Master understands any conditions the sailor may have that could affect their safety and comfort while on the water.
Next, register and pay the Desk Officer, usually inside the hut.
At Alton Water, we have lockers available to store valuables while sailing. They require a pound coin returnable deposit.
While waiting for a boat or sailing buddy to become available, you need to get ready and wear a buoyancy aid which can be found in our storage hut along with any wet weather gear you may need.
During busy periods at Adult and Youth Group sessions. There may be a delay in getting boats on the water so please be prepared to wait. To secure a priority place please book online.
Buoyancy aids must be worn if you are going onto the pontoon and on the boats. We advise wheelchairs should go backwards down any slope. Lap straps must be left undone at all times on the pontoon, on or near the water.
New sailors (and those who prefer too) will be paired with a Sailing Buddy. Who will take you sailing and show you the ropes. Please tell them what it is you would like to achieve, your experience of sailing and anything thing they will need to know for your safety and comfort.
When a boat is ready you will be taken down onto the pontoon and helped into the boat selected for you.
If a hoist is required then please bring a sling to fit the sailor if possible. Hoisting is done on the pontoon and the boat pushed into the water down a specially design launch section of the pontoon.
When your session has ended please return all buoyancy aids and clothing back to the racks provided.
It is your club so please feel free to assist the volunteers if you are able and would like to get more involved.
Don't forget to collect an Exit ticket before you leave and book for next week!
Woolverstone
If you are running late please call the Operations manager on 07470 021 454.
Please see our terms & conditions for cancellation fees.
Please park at the Royal Harwich Yacht Club (RHYC). Although you can drop people off outside Neptunes. Some people do park there as well, but please be aware MDL may need access to the slipway at anytime.
Please be aware of traffic movement on the road as you walk down between RHYC, Neptunes and the marina.
Unless you are told otherwise the registration time is given on your tickets. Usually, 10:30 for morning sessions and 13:30 for the afternoon. We cannot guarantee that groups or individuals arriving later will be able to sail. If you are unavoidably delayed beyond your registration time we will try to accommodate you if at all possible but this is dependent on other bookings, length of delay, etc.
While the crew prepares the boats the Duty Session Leader (DSL) will take payment and the names of all persons going on board. It significantly eases the process if we can have all the names in advance, for example for a new personal assistant.
Next, you need to get ready by wearing a buoyancy aid which can be found on the rail in the storage hut and any wet weather gear you may need. You will need to bring hat, gloves, scarves, sensible footwear such as trainers, sun bloc etc as appropriate for the weather.
Please let the Duty Session Leader or crew know of anything they should be aware of for the sailors and assistants safety and comfort.
When the boats are ready you will be led down to the pontoon. Wheelchair lap straps must be left undone at all times when on or near the water. Please take wheelchairs backwards down the slopes to avoid tipping anyone out! The Wheelyboat will be brought round and the bow lowered to allow wheelchairs on board.
The river trips typically can last up to 2 hours. The direction and duration (including who goes in which boat) is dependant on many factors such as tides, prevailing weather condition and is at the discretion of the DSL.
Upon return please put all wet weather gear and buoyancy aids back on the racks provided.
We hope you enjoy your sail with us!
Last updated 15:06 on 15 October 2024
