Rules

Club Rules

These Rules apply to all Users of Club Facilities

DEFINITIONS

The Club Whitefriars Sailing Club.

Club Premises All land, buildings and Lake belonging to or leased by the Club.

Club Compound: All buildings and the land enclosed by the Club perimeter fence.

Club Buildings: Clubhouse, Training Barn, Start Hut, and storage buildings.

Lake: Whitefriars Lake, Lake 26, Cotswold Water Park.

Craft:

Sailing Craft:
Includes any Sailing Craft, Paddle Craft or Powered Craft used on the Lake.

Any Craft using a sail as a means of propulsion such as a dinghy, radio-controlled model sailing boat, or sailboard/windsurfer.

Paddle Craft: Any Craft using physical means of propulsion such as a paddle board, kayak, or canoe.

Powered Craft: Any craft using mechanical means of propulsion (direct or indirect).

Safety Boat: Any Powered Craft being used for the purpose of providing safety cover for users of the Lake.

Race Officer: The officer in charge of racing and all activities on the Lake on Sundays and other race days.

Duty Officer:
The officer in charger of all land-side activities on Sundays and on other days as required by the Executive Committee

Executive Committee: The Executive Committee as defined in the Club Constitution.

CLUB ACCESS

1. The Access gate on Whitefriars Lane is operated by an automated gate which is opened using your membership card. Lost cards must be reported immediately to the membership secretary so they can be deactivated. Replacement cards are available to purchase.

2. All users of Whitefriars Lane and the causeway leading to the Club Premises must keep those roads clear and must drive any vehicle carefully within the speed limit of 10mph. All users of the Club’s premises must park their vehicles in the car park; the parking area by the Clubhouse is reserved for people with disabilities.

3. The Clubhouse, Training Barn and Club Compound are protected by combination locks; the codes for which are changed annually and communicated to Club Members who must not divulge them to others without permission from a Club Officer. When the locks are closed after entry or exit, the numbers must be scrambled so the codes are not left visible. The codes should also not be visible if any combination lock is left open.

SAFETY RULES

4. On days when sailing is under the direction of a Race Officer, that Officer is in charge of all activities taking place on the lake including all sailing and safety operations. Club Members must comply with any instruction given by the Race Officer. On Sundays and on other days as required by the Executive Committee, the Duty Officer is in charge of all land-side activities and Club Members and visitors must comply with any instructions given by the Duty Officer.

5. Club Members are responsible for their own safety in undertaking sailing and other activities on the Club Premises.

6. Any person taking part in activities on the Lake or stepping onto a pontoon or jetty MUST be wearing an adequate buoyancy aid.

7. Swimming in the Lake is prohibited unless as part of an instructional session and then only when wearing an appropriate buoyancy aid.

8. Any person taking part in activities on the Lake during cold or adverse weather conditions is strongly advised to wear an adequate wet or dry suit.

9. During the sailing season, Safety Boat cover is unlikely to be available other than at racing and training times. When Safety Boat cover is not available, the sailing of a sole Sailing Craft or Paddle Craft (except for a radio-controlled sailing model boat) is not permitted unless the Craft is under the control of a Club Member who is confident that they are competent to handle the Craft safely in the prevailing and predicted weather conditions.

10. The Race Officer, the Senior Instructor in charge of any sailing activities or any member of the Executive Committee may order "All Craft off the Lake" due to weather conditions, the lack of adequate Safety Boat cover, or other circumstances at their sole discretion. The International code flag B should be flown to indicate "All Craft off the Lake", accompanied by three x 5 second sound signals.

11. Young persons under 16 years of age must be under the supervision of an adult Club Member whilst on Club Premises.

12. Every child under the age of 10 years must wear an adequate buoyancy aid whilst on the Club Premises unless he or she is in the Clubhouse or Training Barn under the supervision of an adult Club Member.

13. A child under the age of 10 years is not allowed on the pontoons or jetties unless under the direct supervision of an adult Club Member.

14. Any person in charge of a Sailing Craft or Paddle Craft must ensure that it has adequate buoyancy and is maintained in a sound condition before taking the Craft onto the Lake.

15. All Craft must keep at least 25 metres from any angler fishing from the banks.

16. Slipways are provided only for the launching and recovery of Craft and a Craft must not be moored to obstruct the slipways.

17. Any person in charge of a Craft must ensure that the launching trolley is returned to its boat-berth as soon as possible after the Craft is launched.

USE OF POWERBOATS ON WHITEFRIARS LAKE

18. The use of Powered Craft on the Lake is subject to the following rules:

a. No Powered Craft shall be used on the Lake unless it is being used for a purpose approved by the Executive Committee; joy riding in Powered Craft is strictly forbidden.

b. Every person driving a Powered Craft on the Lake must wear a kill cord and ensure that the kill cord is always engaged while the motor is running.

c. No person shall drive a Powered Craft on the Lake unless they hold the minimum qualification of RYA Powerboat Level 2 (PBL2) or if they are under the supervision of a qualified RYA Powerboat Instructor who is carrying out a training session approved by one of the following: Club Commodore, RYA Training Principal, Chief Powerboat Instructor, or Chief Sailing Instructor.

d. As an exception to Rule 18 (c) an electrically propelled Powered Craft used by the Radio Control Model Group may be driven by a Club Member who either holds a Certificate of Competence issued by the WSC Chief Powerboat Instructor or a RYA PBL2 Certificate or if they are under the supervision of a qualified RYA Powerboat Instructor who is carrying out a training session approved by one of the following: Club Commodore, RYA Training Principal, Chief Powerboat Instructor, or Chief Sailing Instructor. Every person driving such a Powered Craft on the Lake must wear a kill cord and ensure that the kill cord is always engaged while the motor is running.

e. A young person over 16 years but under 18 years of age may drive a Powered Craft on the Lake without being accompanied by a Dinghy Instructor or an adult who holds a PBL2 certificate if they hold a RYA PBL2 certificate (gained on the Lake) and hold a RYA Dinghy Instructor Certificate. If the qualification of PBL2 was not gained on the Lake, the young person shall undertake an assessment by a member of the Training Team before being allowed to drive a Powered Craft.

A young person over 16 years but under 18 years of age may drive a Powered Craft on the Lake without being accompanied by a Dinghy Instructor or an adult who holds a PBL2 certificate if:

They are taking part in a sailing activity under the direction of a Senior Dinghy Instructor; and
They hold an RYA PBL2 certificate and an Assistant Instructor certificate. If the qualification of PBL2 was not gained on the Lake, the young person shall undertake an assessment by a member of the Training Team before being allowed to drive a Powered Craft.

f. A young person under 16 years of age who holds a current RYA PBL2 certificate (gained on the Lake) may drive a Powered Craft under the supervision of an adult Club Member who holds a PBL2 certificate.

g. If a person is deemed by any Club RYA Powerboat Instructor to no longer exhibit sufficient expertise to drive a Powered Craft on the Lake, despite meeting the minimum qualification, they will be notified in writing by the Executive Committee that they can no longer drive a Powered Craft on the Lake unless they undertake further instruction.

h. No person may drive a Powered Craft that is being used as a Safety Boat on the Lake unless they have provided a copy of their PBL2 Certificate to the Club Training Team and have attended and passed a Safety Boat Course approved by the Executive Committee and any subsequent refresher course required by the Executive Committee.

i. A list of all persons who are qualified to drive a Safety Boat shall be kept in the Start Hut so that the Race Officer (or the Senior Instructor in charge of activities on the water) can verify that the Safety Boat is properly crewed.

RECORDING INJURIES ACCIDENTS

19 Any accident on Club Premises, which causes an injury to any person must be recorded without delay in the Accident Book which is located by the First Aid Box in the Clubhouse.

RISKS TO SAFETY

20 When a Club Member finds or is made aware that an item or piece of equipment is in a condition which is a risk to safety, or if a Club Member is involved in an event which is a risk to safety or observes such an event; they must complete a Hazard Report Form, place it in the Hazard Report Folder by the First Aid Box in the Clubhouse and notify the OOD, the Senior Instructor in charge of activities on the water or the Senior Club Officer or Official present, so that the risk can be eliminated, or the accident investigated as soon as possible.

FIRE AND MAJOR INCIDENTS

21 In case of a Fire, Explosion, or other Major Incident, the Race Officer, the Duty Officer, the Senior Club Officer or Official present, or the person in charge of any organised session, should consider the need to evacuate the Club Buildings and Club Compound, as well as informing the appropriate Emergency Services. The Emergency Assembly Point is the nearest car park - see Major Incident Plan (kept by the First Aid Box in the Clubhouse). Any incident involving any of the emergency services attending the Club shall be formally reported to the Executive Committee by the person in charge. No statement will be made to the press without the authorisation of an Executive Committee Member.

RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF CLUB FACILITIES

22 Recreational sailing is not allowed on days when Working Parties are held for the purpose of maintaining the Club premises.

23 Open Meeting Days shall be restricted to a maximum of 15 days in any calendar year. Club racing or recreational sailing will only be permitted with prior agreement of the Executive. Prior to each Open Day there will be a communication to Club members explaining what is permitted on that day.

24 No angling is allowed from the Lakeshore within the Club Compound. Anglers who are authorised under the licence granted by the Club to the South Cerney Angling Club may angle from the Lakeshore outside the Club Compound.

25 Dogs must be always kept on a lead, must not cause a nuisance, and are not allowed in the Clubhouse. If a Club user's dog should foul, it is their responsibility to clear the mess.

26 Personal radios, players, and other similar devices may not be played within the Club Compound.

27 Bicycles may not be ridden within the Club Compound.

28 Smoking (including the use of electronic cigarettes or any similar product or device which emits vapour) is not permitted within the Club Compound.

29 Club Members (and persons attending authorised sessions such as Sailability) may use the Club Premises, including the kitchen, at any time subject to these rules but they must leave the Club Premises clean and tidy. Kitchen use is subject to the Club Food Safety Management System.

30 Club Members and persons belonging to Groups or Organisations approved by the Executive Committee may camp in the Club paddock, subject to fees and conditions, which shall be determined by the Executive Committee.

31 Intoxicating liquor may only be supplied by a Club Member aged 18 or over, to Club Members aged 18 or over and their signed in guests aged 18 or over, between the prescribed hours contained within the Club Premises License, a summary of which is displayed in the kitchen.

MEMBERS’ DUTIES

32 An adult Club member must undertake a minimum of one Club Duty per year drawn from the Duty Roster. If a Club Member cannot do their allotted Duty, the Club Member is required to find his or her own substitute e.g., by swapping with another Club Member. The Executive Committee Members and Senior Instructors may be absolved from inclusion in the Duty Roster but are encouraged to volunteer.

33 If a Club member fails to carry out the minimum of one Club duty that has been allocated to them, the Duties Administrator shall notify the Executive Committee who shall then seek an explanation from the Club Member as to why the Duty was missed. The Executive Committee may take such action as it deems appropriate including the allocation of another Duty to the Member or if the Member subsequently fails to carry out the re-allocated duty, the suspension or expulsion of the Member from the Club.

FEES

34 The Club subscription year shall run from 1 April to 31 March in the following year. Membership renewal subscriptions must be received before 1 April for the following year. Should any member fail to pay the appropriate subscription or berth fee by 1 April in any year, membership of the Club shall automatically lapse, subject to the discretion of Executive Committee to allow late payment in exceptional circumstances and on such terms as the Committee may decide.

35 The Executive Committee shall have discretion to apply discounts to the Membership subscription and berth fees in any circumstances that it may deem appropriate.

CLUB SECURITY

36 Initial entry to and final exit from the Clubhouse must be made via the padlocked door in the hallway. Duty Officers share the responsibility to ensure that all Club Buildings, including the kitchen area, wet area, lounge, the floors, toilets, showers, and wash basins are left in a clean and tidy condition at the end of the day’s programme. Before leaving they must ensure that the Safety Boats have been secured on their moorings, and that the lights, water, and gas are turned off at the appliances.

37 The last Club Member leaving is responsible for securing the Club Buildings by locking the Club Building and Training Barn and then locking the gate to the Club Compound and the lane access gate.

VISITORS, HELPERS AND DAY SAILING

(Please also refer to the Rule regarding WSC Limitation of Liability)

38 A Club Member may bring visitors to the Club on a maximum of three separate days per season without charge. A Club Member may not bring more than four visitors on any one day, without the Executive Committee's prior permission.

39 Before inviting any visitors onto the premises or to participate in events organised by the Club, Club Members must ensure that such visitors understand and accept that they may use the Club Premises, and any other facilities of the Club, entirely at their own risk.

40 Any Club Member bringing a visitor onto the Club Premises must enter the name and address of the visitor in the Visitors’ Book in the Clubhouse including the time that the visitor arrives and the time that they leave. Visitors may sail in the Sailing Craft of a Club Member if they are always under the supervision of that Club Member.

41 No more than 15 visitors may be on the Club Premises at any one time without the express approval of the OOD or a Member of the Executive Committee.

42 A Club Member who through disability, age or infirmity needs help may be accompanied by a helper who is not a Club Member, who may assist the Club Member in their sailing activities but may not sail. There is no limit on the number of times that the helper may accompany the Club member, but the Club Member must record the name of the helper in the Visitors’ Book.

43 A person who is not a Club Member may apply to the Club Secretary for a Day Sailing Permit to sail their own Sailing Craft using the ‘Application for Day Sailing form’ and must sign the insurance indemnity. The fee for Day Sailing shall be set by the Executive Committee.

44 A Day Sailor may only sail after their Day Sailing Permit has been issued and when Safety Boat cover is available and in accordance with any instructions given by the OOD or a Member of the Executive Committee.

45 The Executive Committee may agree special arrangements (which must be made in advance) to allow sailing by members of other Clubs, Groups or Organisations.

46 A person who is not a Club Member may, at the discretion of the Training Principal, take part in any training course run by the Club.

47 Hire boats are only available for hire by Club Members.

REGISTRATION FOR A BERTH AND INSURANCE FOR EVERY CRAFT

48 Registration and use:

a) A Sailing Craft or a Paddle Craft may not be parked and left on the Club Premises unless a berth is available, and a registration number and a berth has been allocated by the Club Membership Secretary. The Craft must be kept in the allocated berth except for any Sailing Craft which is a radio-controlled model sailing boat which must be registered with the Chairman of the Radio-Controlled Model Sailing Boat Group.

b) Every Sailing Craft and Paddle Craft must carry third party insurance specific to that Craft to the minimum value of £3,000,000 (three million-pounds GBP).

c) Whilst any Sailing Craft or Paddle Craft is used on the Lake solely by a child under 16 years of age, the Craft must be kept under the active supervision of an adult Club Member.

d) A Club Member who has paid a berth fee for a Sailing Craft may store an additional sailboard/windsurfer or Paddle Craft on that berth provided that the additional Craft is registered in accordance with clause 49 (a), can be stored safely, and the boundaries of the berth space are not exceeded.

49 All craft to be sailed on the Lake must be of a class or type approved by the Executive Committee. Cabin boats and multihulls are not permitted, other than those approved by the Executive Committee for Club use or for use by people with disabilities. Inflatable Craft are not permitted unless they are rigid inflatables of a type approved by the Executive Committee and registered with the Club Membership Secretary in accordance with Clause 49(a). The use of Personal Watercraft (commonly known as powered jet skis) and the activity of water skiing are not permitted.

50 All Sailing Craft berthed at the Club must be securely tied down when not in use.

51 Road Trailers. A Club Member who keeps road trailer on the Club premises must mark it with the Member’s name and is advised to fit it with a hitch lock. The Member must keep the road trailer within a berth that has been allocated to that Member or keep it within the Trailer Store. Any road trailer found on the Club premises otherwise than within an allocated berth or the Trailer Store may be disposed of by the Club in any manner that it thinks think fit if the Club Member (or former Club Member) fails to remove it after one month from a notification to do so sent to their last known address. Any sum of money received by the club from the disposal shall be added to its General Account.

52 If a former Club Member has not renewed their subscription or if any fees payable to the Club by any Club Member or former Club Member shall be three months or more in arrears and a Sailing Craft which is the property of that Club Member or former Club Member remains on Club premises, the Executive Committee may:

a) Move the Sailing Craft to any other part of the Club premises without being liable for any loss or damage to the Sailing Craft howsoever caused.

b) Retain or dispose of the Sailing Craft in any manner that they think fit if the Club Member of former Club Member fails to remove the Sailing Craft after the expiry of one month from a notification to do so sent to their last known address as shown in the Register of Craft.

c) Keep a record of the estimated value of the Sailing Craft (if any) at that time and any sum due to the Club (whether by way of arrears of subscription or annual payments, berth fees, administrative costs, selling costs or otherwise) and that sum shall (after the deduction of the estimated value of the Sailing Craft) be a debt owing to the Club by the Club Member or former Member. Any sum exceeding the debt owed to the Club shall be held by the Club or a period of six years and shall then be added to its General Account.

53 The Club shall always have a lien over a Club Member’s or former Club Member’s Sailing Craft parked or moored on the Club's premises or Club's moorings in respect of all monies due to the Club, whether in respect of arrears or mooring/berth fees or subscriptions or otherwise.

RESTRICTIONS ON SAILING

54 On racing days, or during other organised activities on the Lake, sailboards, windsurfers, paddleboards, canoes and kayaks or similar craft, may only be sailed on the Lake with the permission of the Race Officer, or other person in charge of any event.

55 Radio controlled model sailing boats may only be launched and controlled from the lakeshore within the Club Compound.

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

56 The Club does not accept any liability for personal injury or loss of property arising out of the use of the Club Premises, and any other facilities of the Club, or out of participation in any race organised by the Club, whether sustained by Members, their visitors, or caused by the said Members, visitors, to the maximum extent permitted by law. A notice to that effect shall be prominently displayed at the entrance to the Club Premises.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND BIO-SECURITY

57 Club Members must comply with The Club’s Environment Policy and not bring onto the Club Premises or use any material, plant or organism or introduce any species that might contaminate the Lake or the surrounding land or harm any species (other than species classed as vermin). All Craft, trailers and launching trolleys brought onto the Club Premises must stop at the cleansing point and be thoroughly cleansed with water before being taken into the fenced Compound or the Training Barn or launched on the Lake.

58 Drones

A Club Member or Visitor may operate a drone (including any type of model aircraft) from within the Club Premises provided that:

The Race Officer or the Senior Instructor in charge of any sailing activities taking place on that day has given permission.
the operation of the drone is related to the activities of the Club; or the drone is being used for commercial purposes approved by the Executive Committee and subject to such conditions as the Committee may require.
The drone operator complies with the Air Navigation Order and the Drone and Model Aircraft Code.
The drone is kept within the area of the Club premises site and is flown below 120 metres.
The drone is not flown in a way to cause alarm or discomfort to any person or risk of damage to any Sailing Craft, Paddle Craft, Motor Craft or building
Any images obtained do not break privacy laws
The operator has third party insurance to the minimum value of £3,000,000 (three million-pounds GBP).

59 It shall be the responsibility of every Member to keep any boat berth which they have been allocated in a well-kept condition free of long grass, weeds, brambles, and debris. Should a Member anticipate they will not be able to maintain their berth in a well-kept condition, they can instead request the Club to maintain the berth by selecting that option as part of their annual membership renewal application and make the required advance payment to the Club..

If in the opinion of the Boat Park Manager any berth for which the required advance payment has not been made is not in a well-kept condition, he/she shall notify the Member by email that they have the option to restore the berth to a well- kept condition within 10 days or the work will be done by the Club at a cost stipulated by the Executive Committee and the Member will be required to pay for the work within 10 days of receiving an invoice.

End of Rules

Final version approved by the Executive Committee on 12 March 2024