Introduction to Wembley SC

Getting You Started
Here is some information to help you get started with the club, and also information on the clubs boats and when safety cover is available on the Harp, and other information that will help you understand how the club works. On the main club website under "contacts" all the clubs officers can be contacted by email.

There is a link back to the main club site (click home).
In the menu on the right there are details of the various duties you may be asked to perform, if you are new to the club you will only be asked to be an assistant.There are also details of Dutyman the clubs duty list, Orla White administers the Dutyman and can help you if you need more information. Please take time to read the club rules and Bye-laws (revised 2011)

Club Boats
We are now have 4 GP14 dinghies,2 RS Visions, 6 Lasers and 1 Firefly for club members to sail, the covers have WSC on them . There is also an RS200 which only more experienced members can use.They are located in the second row ( B) in front of the clubhouse. .
The front of the trolleys are painted green with WSC on the covers.
There are 6 Lasers located in the Laser park the covers have WSC on them.
When launching the boats check to see which trolley you are using, so that you can make sure you collect the same one when coming ashore.
There is no booking system for the boats, when you arrive take the cover off the boat, this signifies that the boat is taken and about to be used.
Two of the GP14's have two rows of reefing lines on the mainsail, do not remove the reefing lines from the sail/boom
The committee has reviewed the rules and recommendations for the use of club boats, and these have been changed as follows
Club boats may only be sailed when a rescue boat from Wembley Sailing Club is manned and on the water, or the club boat is taking part in a race organized by another WHSA club which is providing rescue boat cover.
In addition to the club Visions and RS 200, club GPs must be sailed with a masthead float to prevent inversion or the mast sticking in the bottom of the Harp in a capsize.
If there is a problem with the boat, fix it if you can, if not let David Evans know
If not sure which boat to use ask either David Evansl, myself or any club member. They will be pleased to advise you.
Do be careful to only use the clubs sailing dinghies, there are members boats that look similar to the clubs boats and using a members boat and having an accident could be very costly as you are not insured.

Guests
Club members can bring guests with them to sail in the clubs boats, but if they are going to be a regular visitor then they should join the club.

Your Own Boat
There will come a time when you will want to buy your own sailing dinghy, then only buy the class of boat that are licensed for sailing on the Harp, the current boat license fee is £55 for a boat that will be sailed by an adult and £27.50 for a boat sailed by a junior. You will be allocated space in the dinghy park, if you are new to sailing then take advice when buying a wooden hull boat as there may be problems with rot around the centreplate or transom. GRP boats are usually a better bet regarding maintenance.
Before you decide on what class of boat, make sure you have a test sail so that you are comfortable with the sailing characteristics of that boat
If you own your own boat you may sail on most days throughout the year, if sailing on Tuesday evenings or Saturdays on other clubs sailing days then although Safety boats will rescue anyone in difficultiles the other clubs are catering for their own members and it is unfair to expect them to get you out of trouble if you are sailing in conditions above your capabilites, if sailing on non Wembley days then let the safety boat helm of the club that is on the water know that you are sailing, remember when they finish racing their safety boat will be stood down.

Harp Sailing School
The school has 7new RS Visions & 6 Laser Picos, the School runs RYA level 1, level 2, Seamanship, Sailing with Spinnakers, Power boat 2 and Safety Boat courses, to take part see Brian Whyte for dates of courses and placements
Harp Sailing School boats
Harp Sailing School boats RS Visions are only to be used for official RYA training, but can, with the clubs permission be used for special events, it is important that members do bear this in mind and do not use these boats, as the boats are in use most Sundays for RYA courses, and we cannot afford to have a boat unserviceable when people have paid for a course.
The Laser Picos can be used by club members when not in use by the HSS

New Members Club
Is run by David Evansl on Sunday afternoons from 2pm (usually every fortnight) David can be contacted on 02084280412 or by email nmc@wembleysailingclub.co.uk
We keep in contact with members by email through the weekly newsletter and the clubs website under "News items"
There are a limited number of buoyancy aids in the garage nearest the clubhouse main door, they are intended to get new members on the water, please return them when you have finished using them.
We do hope that you will purchase your own buoyancy aid, do get a tight fit as this is most important that it doesn't ride up if you go into the water
The NMC gets the Merlin Rocket, RS200 and Laser class to host sailing afternoons when members can try out the boats and see if you like them.

Crews Register
If you do not have a sailing partner then you can put your name down on the crews register, other members are doing the same thing, there is an email and telephone number, with a choice of helming or crewing and whether your preference is for racing or cruising, let me (Brian Whyte know of your choices and I shall put your name down.
To access the crews register look in the menu top right click on it and follow the link, you will be asked for a password which will be emailed to you separately

Club Racing
The club races on Sundays from 10am - 1.30pm all year round, and Wednesday evenings from mid April -early September from 7pm until dusk, members can either sail in the races or just potter around. If pottering do keep clear of the racing boats and particularly the orange buoys as you will find a great number of dinghies converging on them.
If you would like to go crewing in a racing boat, then let the class captain know and he will put you on his list of crews. The class captains email can be found on the contacts page on the main club website, or at the club most Sundays.
The clubs boats can be used to go racing.
Club members can cruise during racing, if you decide to do so then if you meet a dinghy that is racing then let them have clear passage even if you have right of way, the racing boat will appreciate this.
If you want to take part in a race then look for details on the main site, it will give you to basics of how the course is arranged and what you need to do

Children's Sailing
Is provided by Wembley Sailing Club with special morning sessions for the children throughout the sailing season.
Children's sailing Is also provided by the Harp Young Sailors(HYS) see Colin Brockbank email children@wembleysailing club.co.uk
The HYS runs a separate programme, details are on the club website

Safety Cover
The club is issuing the following guidelines for trainee sailors " Only sail when you know there will be safety boat cover. " Do keep to the top end of the Harp (where the clubs are) so that if you get into difficulties then people will see you, and be able to effect a rescue " Do not sail in stronger winds than you are used to, unless you have discussed this with an experienced member of the club. " Should you capsize, always stay with the boat, do not attempt to swim ashore.
Do not go between the blue buoys and the shore down the far end of the lake (number 6 buoy) as there are concrete obstructions just below the waterline, hitting them will cause severe damage to the dinghy.
Club owned boats must not be sailed without a safety boat on the water . At present Safety boat cover is available "
Wednesday evening - racing or cruising- provided by Wembley SC April - early September . "
Sunday morning - racing- or cruising Wembley SC all year round
Sunday Afternoons Wembley SC -April to end of October. November onwards selected events with NMC
Safety boats will rescue anyone whether you are racing or cruising and irrespective of which club you belong to,
REMEMBER WE ALL SAIL AT OUR OWN RISK

A Category Days- Open Meetings
There are days on the Harp when we have Open Meetings, the dates are on the main website www.wembleysailingclub.co.uk and on the club calendar, please note only boats taking part in the event i.e. racing are allowed to sail on that day. There is a fee for entering Open Meetings. If you want to use a GP14 or Firefly to enter check with David Evans for best condition boat.
If wishing to use a club Laser for an open meeting check with Steve Lindley the Laser class captain
If wishing to use the club RS 200 for an open meeting then check with Julian Bradley the class captain

Club House Security
The club's main door has both digital and key operated security, if you intend sailing on days other than the main sailing days then you will need a key (cost £5 refundable on return of key). The mortise lock on the main door needs the key to be turned twice to open and lock. The digital locks on the Main door, Ladies changing room and Gentleman's changing room all have the same code, we change the code each year in the Autumnon the current code xxxxx will be supplied to you. The button at the top being number 1 and the bottom button five. Turn the knob underneath to the right and push the door to open it, if you imput the wrong code turning the knob to the left will cancel.
The door codes are changed every year, and will be changed in October/November.

Lockers,
If you want a club locker to keep valuables in whilst on the water then see Brian Whyte, there is a one off fee £10 for the locker.

The Galley
Opens at 9am (approx) for teas and coffees, later in the morning hot pies, sausage rolls, sausages on buns, and for lunch there is always a dinner, if you require a meal let the galley know in the morning so that they can make provisions for you. The galley stops serving at 2.30pm
Under the Health & Safety rules only kitchen staff allowed in the galley whilst food is being prepared

The Bar
Opens at 12pm (approx) and remains open until you go home
if you bring guests remember to sign them in if they will be consuming alcohol
Request from both bar and galley staff, will you please return empty glasses/plates/cups when you have finished with them,

Duty Roster
if you are down for a duty (you will only be down as an assistant and will be paired with an experienced club member)
When on either the rescue boat or committee boat it gives you a better understanding of how the racing is run, and is a great opportunity to see things from the water, the race officer or rescue boat helm will explain what is happening.
The club operate a system of duties by Dutyman which is explained further by clicking on the link Duty Roster

Dinghy Park Gates
There is a digital lock on the car park gate, the code number is xxxxxxx the number will be given to you. all the buttons have a number or letter, there is a knob under the buttons if approaching the gate from the car park after inputting the above code turn the knob to the right (clockwise). if approaching the gate from the dinghy park then after imputing the code turn the knob to the left (anti-clockwise) To help you remember which way to turn the knob, towards the lock.
If you are the first to arrive in the morning there may be a bolt at the top of the gate (Harp side) that you have to undo

Car Park Security
A member of another club had his car broken into and had his laptop stolen, it seems that when he got to the car park he took his laptop from his car and put it in the boot, someone was obviously watching and the laptop was stolen. If members have to carry valuables or coats then it makes sense to put them in the boot when you first get into the car, rather than when you reach your destination, as we have it on good authority that petty thieves watch all carparks for such instances as happened above, and are highly appreciative of owners for highlighting which cars are carrying valuables.
Do not leave coats or bags or anything visible in the car, GPS windscreen brackets usually tell thieves that there is a GPS system hidden in the glove compartment or under the seat.

What's the Weather Going to Do
Try Windguru, put this url in your favourites http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=105310,

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