Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I join CVLSC?
2. Is there a waiting list and if so what is the waiting time?
3. Do I need to know how to sail before I can make application to join CVLSC?
4. Is there a waiting list and if so what is the waiting time?
5. Do I need to know how to sail before I can make application to join CVLSC?
6. Do you run sailing courses for beginners?
7. Does the club own its own training dinghies?
8. Do I need to book a club Dinghy in advance?
9. What days / hours is sailing permitted?
10. What days / hours is sailing permitted?
11. Does any safety cover have to be in place before any sailing can commence?
12. Are the club facilities and sailing available to the general public?
13. Are there any restrictions on the type of dinghy I can sail at CVLSC?
14. Are there any restrictions placed that limit the area available for sailing?
15. Can I windsurf; use a canoe; rowboat; powerboat etc at CVLSC?
16. Am I expected to undertake any duties at the club?
17. What catering facilities are available?
18. Can I bring guests to the club?
19. What type of clothing do I need?
20. What is the minimum / maximum age for a junior seeking membership of the club?
21. Is there a maximum age?
22. Do you have recognised racing fleets?
 

1. How do I join CVLSC?
All prospective members, whether new applicants or ex members wishing to rejoin, must fill in a Membership Application Form available from the club Membership Secretary (see this website) or by downloading a membership form from this website. The applicant must obtain the signature of two club members to “propose” and “second” the application.
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2. Is there a waiting list and if so what is the waiting time?
Our total membership is controlled by our lease and this does lead to there being a waiting list. The waiting time is influenced by many factors and it would be advisable to seek the current situation from the current membership secretary.
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3. Do I need to know how to sail before I can make application to join CVLSC?
The simple answer is no.
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4. Do I need to own my own dinghy before I can join the club?
CVLSC encourages all members to own their own dinghy but the club does have some boats available for the novice to try out. It is possibly more important to establish the type of sailing one wants to undertake before purchasing your dinghy.
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5. Do you run sailing courses for beginners?
The club attempts to encompass most forms of sailing tuition - from the raw beginner to the experienced sailor who wants to improve his/her skills. All courses are RYA approved and certified.
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6. Does the club own its own training dinghies?
The club does own a small number of dinghies for training purposes. Typically, Optibats; Toppers; Laser 2000; RS Vision and Wayfarer.
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7. Do I need to book a club Dinghy in advance? 
There is no pre-booking facility for club dinghies. Therefore it is on a first come first served basis.  Boats can be hired for a half or whole day. There is a hire fee for the Laser 2000, RS Vision and Wayfarer.
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8. What days/hours is sailing permitted?
Sailing can take place on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. On these days sailing is permitted from 10.00am to one hour before sunset in the summer and one half hour before sunset in the winter.
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9. Does any safety cover have to be in place before any sailing can commence?
Yes, sailing is only permitted when at least two motorised safety craft are on the water and in an operational condition.
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10. Are the club facilities and sailing available to the general public?
We are a member’s only club, as determined by our lease and are therefore not open to the general public; however members are allowed to bring sailing and non-sailing guests to the club.
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11. Do you run sailing courses for the general public?
The answer above also applies to this question. Please try the Bristol sailing school (0117 9073019), which operates from Baltic Wharf in the Bristol Docks.
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12. Are there any restrictions on the type of dinghy I can sail at CVLSC?
All craft must be classed as sailing dinghies, must be of mono-hull design (with the exception of dinghies sailed by the disabled) and must not be fixed keel (with the exception on the Flying Fifteen). Currently twin foiling boats such as Moths are not allowed on the lake.
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13. Are there any restrictions placed that limit the area available for sailing?
Our lease and the enjoyment and use of the lake by other users such as fishermen, bird watchers and conservationists limits our sailing area and all members must therefore familiarise themselves with the sailing area from the map in the main clubhouse.
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14. Can I windsurf; use a canoe; rowboat; powerboat etc at CVLSC?
Windsurfing is allowed during the winter months but only by full members of the club i.e. those who own and sail a dinghy. No other form of boating is permitted on the lake.
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15. Am I expected to undertake any duties at the club?
All club members are expected to undertake certain mandatory duties such as Duty Officer/Assistant Duty Officer; Rescue Boat Helm: Race Officer/Assistant Race Officer. The duty will depend upon the individual’s skills before being called to undertake Rescue Boat or Race Officer Duties. Appropriate Training is provided where necessary.
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16. What catering facilities are available?
The club has a professional galley which offers hot & cold lunches, breakfasts, afternoon teas and light refreshments. The galley is run by Stoneground Healthy Foods. The galley is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm in the summer and 11am to 3pm in the winter. It is also open on Wednesday evenings from 6pm in the summer. The club also has a fully licensed bar which is open at the weekends and Wednesday evenings in the summer. The bar is run by volunteers and the bar manager is always looking for extra helpers.
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17. Can I bring guests to the club?
Members’ guests, both sailing and non-sailing, are welcome at the club; there is a small charge for crewing/sailing guests but no charge for non-sailing guests. All guests must be signed in and are the responsibility of the member who is hosting them.
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18. What type of clothing do I need?
For safety reasons all persons going onto the water must wear a buoyancy aid and, when the temperature dictates, must wear suitable cold weather clothing i.e. wet suit/dry suit.
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19. What is the minimum/maximum age for a junior seeking membership of the club? People over the age of 12 and under the age of 18 (or 21 if in full time education) may seek application to join the club as individual members. However, if part of a Family Membership there is no minimum age.
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20. Is there a maximum age?
Only you can tell that.
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21. Do you have facilities for the disabled, including sailing?
The club has two disabled toilets, a disabled changing room, a chair lift and a very active disabled sailing section referred to as CLADS. This website should be able to put you in touch with the disabled sailing section.
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22. Do you have recognised racing fleets?
CVLSC is one of the very fortunate clubs that still operates a fleet racing system; predominantly the fleets are Topper, Laser, Solo, Flying Fifteen and the A & B Handicap fleets.
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