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Members' Information
The DYC is totally owned by its membership and run by a Committee of Volunteers. The whole building is owned outright and the club's only employees are the Club Manager, Head Barman, Bar Staff, Cook and Bookkeeper, although we do pay the Instructors when they run courses. Our ethos is to run a friendly and welcoming club whilst offering opportunities to get out on the water at very low cost. Members are requested to help the club when their circumstances allow, whether with a specific skill or with a few hours of their time. We are a CASC (Community Amateur Sports Club) which entitles us to various tax benefits.
There are many benefits to membership of the DYC some of which are listed below and as always in any club there are things one 'needs to know' so we have tried to list those as well. However if you have any questions either pop into the club and ask or send your query to post@dartmouthyachtclub.co.uk
BENEFITS:
• Use of our friendly well stocked bar and catering facilities
• Use of our function room for parties or other private functions
• A membership card which gives you a 10% discount on drinks from the bar
• Access to an array of water based activities using the club fleet of over 70 boats
• Access to our dinghy fleet during Social Sailing Evenings and other events. Due to a current risk assessment of launching in Coronation Park, dinghies must be used with a safety boat in attendance.
• Free use of our paddlesports fleet, including sit on top kayaks, sea kayaks SUPs and Canadian canoes
• Use of our motorboat Doris subject to a £40 donation to include fuel
• Reduced prices on our RYA training courses
• Use of changing facilities, showers and lockers
GENERAL INFORMATION:
CLUB ENTRANCE: The front doors are opened at 7am each morning, for access to showers and toilets (via the passage). The 6 digit code to the passage door is changed from time to time and is available from the bar staff.
Our new outdoor Embankment service will operate from our normal opening time to dusk, weather permitting.
MEMBERSHIP CARD DISCOUNTS: In order to benefit from the member’s 10% discount members need to present their membership card when they buy drinks and food.
CLUB NIGHTS: Some months we hold a Club Night and if you are new to the club they are a great opportunity to come along and ask those questions that we all have when joining something new. Of course all existing members are invited too. You will all find a warm welcome from our Committee Members along with a free glass of wine and the chance to get to know others. See the diary on the website for dates and details.
LOCAL BUSINESS DISCOUNTS: We are currently negotiating discounts with a number of local businesses.
GUN ROOM: The Gun Room (function room) is available, to all members for private functions.
CHILDREN: The club is child friendly and we have various toys & books available to suit younger children. These are kept in a box in the Gun Room.
DOGS: We welcome dogs, kept on a lead at all times and ask that they are kept off the furniture. Dogs are not allowed in the Gun Room.
WATER-BASED EVENTS: Members are welcome to take part in all activities of the Club such as: sea Kayak and general purpose river kayak outings, Cruises-in-Company (open to all those with sail or motor boats), Day Sails, excursions for RIB owners and small-boat up-river trips. Members who don’t have their own boat but would like to crew or join in any activity just need to ask. For details on how to book out one of the club's motorboats see the subsection to this page. Regular RYA courses are organised by the Rear Commodore Sailing, dependent on demand from members, again details can be found on the website's Training pages.
COURSES: Regular RYA courses are organised by the Rear Commodore Sailing, dependent on demand from members, again details can be found on the website's Training pages.
PADDLESPORTS: The Club maintains a large fleet of 15 single and 6 double sit-on-top kayaks, 11 sea kayaks, 22 general purpose kayaks, 6 SUPs and 2 open canoes. For more information about the different types of craft, and about how to start using them, follow the Paddlesports under ‘On The Water’ on the club website. The Paddlesports section of DYC is affiliated with British Canoeing.
The Paddlesports section, like the club as a whole, is run by volunteers. If you are a BC Sea Kayak Leader, BC kayaking coach, or hold a BC Personal Performance award, and would be willing to help lead or assist on the paddles in our programme, please get in touch: rcpaddlesports@dartmouthyachtclub.co.uk
DINGHY SAILING: Our fleet of nineToppers, RS Visions and RS Fevas are kept in Coronation Park ready for launching on the Higher Slip and are available to be used on Social Sailing Evenings by members. Due to a current risk assessment of launching in Coronation Park, dinghies must be used with a safety boat in attendance.
Dartmouth Yacht Club is run by volunteers for the benefit of all members so as well as being keen to increase the number of Instructors working with us we are also on the lookout for more volunteers to join the team supporting Junior Sailing. If you are interested in helping or would like to become an Instructor please contact us. If you have previously been a RYA instructor we can help you get re validated. We are especially looking out for more Senior Instructors to help the section grow further. There is a role for you no matter what your ability or experience is, even if you can only help on the odd occasion or for a couple of days in the summer.
Examples include:
• DYC Boat Drivers - must have RYA PB2 - RYA Safety Boat preferable but full training will be given.
• Support Boats & Owner Drivers - Rib or launch type
• Launch Crews - no experience required other than not minding getting your feet wet!
• Shore Party - help with the tally boards to check who is on the water and safety of sailors as they cross the road to the slip way.
Junior Sailing: Our Junior Sailing activities are designed to introduce those aged from about 8 upwards to the sport. We run weekly SPLASH! SESSIONS during the summer term. Open to all members aged 8 - 16 they are a great chance for our Juniors to either learn the sport or practice their skills. You can be sure that safety is at the top of our agenda and each year we undergo a rigorous inspection by the RYA to ensure we keep meeting their high standards for safety and training. As well as fully qualified Instructors, we also have volunteer Safety Boat Drivers and First Aiders at every session.
Adult Sailing: With recent acquisition of 2 RS Visions and RS Fevas we are now able to offer adult dinghy sailing and training. Sessions can be run midweek and /or weekends if enough interest is shown.
For all details of forthcoming dinghy activities for members see the sailing newsletters and the booking pages on WebCollect.
CRUISING IN COMPANY: The club offers a programme of fun and relaxed Cruises-in-Company open to both sailing and motor yachts. These vary from local one night trips to two weeks in the Channel Islands and North Brittany and the programme is based on the wishes and availability of those involved. We have a very active Facebook group that you can also joinIf you are interested in joining please contact us via: training@dartmouthyachtclub.co.uk
DARTMOUTH ROYAL REGATTA: The club is proud to be one of the 3 local clubs that organise the Yacht & Dinghy Racing during Regatta and as such members are requested to volunteer to help with tasks both ashore and afloat. Experience is not always required as many are admin roles.
SOCIAL EVENTS: The club offers an interesting, varied and fun filled programme of events to suit all tastes and is always open to suggestions. The latest event information can be found on the notice board and club website. Members are asked to sign up in advance on the noticeboard for most events, either in person or by phoning the Bar staff. Payment in advance for each event is expected and debit card payments can be accepted over the phone. For those unable to attend a pre-booked event the club operates a refund policy, which is displayed on the noticeboard. Booking for events involving catering is essential.
MEAT DRAW: Throughout the winter months a weekly meat draw is available to members. The draw is made at 14:00 on Saturdays, with profits going to support our Junior and Bursary Dinghy Sailing events.
CLUB REGALIA: The club is currently working on a catalogue and shop page for the website where members can order a range of personalised clothing items. A selection of club burgees, ties, polo shirts, hats,caps and lapel badges are for sale from the Bar.
LAPTOPS & MOBILE PHONES: Members are requested to exercise discretion when using these in the club.
Wi-Fi: There is free Wi-Fi internet access available in the bar.
NO SMOKING: Our no smoking policy includes E Cigarettes, which must not be smoked in the club. Smokers are also requested not to do so in the main entrance doorway.
MEMBERS COMMENTS: The committee welcomes comments and suggestions. A box is held on the top bar for this purpose.
SOCIAL MEDIA: The club has a number of social media groups and members are encouraged to join and post details & pictures of their activities.
Facebook - Dartmouth Yacht Club
Facebook - Dartmouth Yacht Club (UK) - Paddlesport Section
COMMUNICATIONS: The primary communication channel with members is email. Using our membership Web Collect system members are expected to keep their own contact details up dated. Please note that the club does not share any of your details with any other person or organisation and members must not use the email addresses of other members for private or commercial communications without their express permission.
CONTACT: You can contact any Officer of the club via post@dartmouthyachtclub.co.uk