Introduction to life at the Club

Welcome,
This is a brief introduction to life at Datchet Water. When you become a member, and each subsequent year, you will receive the DWSC Year Book, which will give you the rules, regulations and further details about the Club. This sheet will give you a flavour of what we do and people you can speak to for further details - although most members will chat over a pint or a cup of tea.

If you have any questions, Gabrielle or Sue in the Office will be pleased to answer them - the Club's number is +44 (0)1753 683872, the web site www.dwsc.co.uk and the e-mail address sailing@dwsc.co.uk.

Sailing

There are 475 acres of sailing area and the reservoir was built with sailing in mind, so there is a wide concrete beach area for easy launching; the jetties are there pre-dominantly for safety and race management.

Weather permitting you can go sailing most days, but the Club is closed on Monday's (except for most Bank Holidays). There is always Safety Cover provided by trained Club members or The Dinghy Store chandlery. During the summer weekday, evenings are also covered for evening sailing.

The water is deep - as deep as the bank is high plus a little bit, so dress expecting the water to be cold even in summer.

Racing

Sunday is the main day for racing - currently there are two races back-to-back in the morning and one race after lunch. It is handicap racing with several starts and a large variety of classes, the current starts are:

Start 1
Lasers and single handers (PN >1045) and Intermediate handicap (PN >1100) e.g. Miracles, Mirrors

Start 2
Flying Fifteens and other keelboats

Start 3
Fast handicap (PN <1100) e.g. Wayfarers and Asymmetrics (PN > 960) e.g. Buzz and single handers (PN <1045) e.g. RS600, Contenders

Start 4
Asymmetrics (PN < 960) e.g. 49'er, Laser 5000, including Musto Skiff and RS700

Start 5
Cats e.g. Dart 18, Hurricane 5.9, Hobie FX-1

[These are subject to change, so please check with Race Management Officer or Notice board]

The year is split into 4 seasonal series:-

From May to August there is also a Wednesday Evening race, single start usually with a Warning signal at 19:25 hours but brought forward to 19:00 hours for the later August evenings.

Also, watch out for special Club Events, which can include Saturday racing e.g. Club regatta, Boxing Day Bottle race and 1st Jan Pink Elephant race.

We of course host a number of Open Meetings during the year, which club members can compete in.

Many Saturdays will also see JYS (Junior & Youth Squad) racing - if you race a slow handicap boat and wish to join in, please have a word with the JYS leader.

Junior and Youth Squads (JYS)

The JYS meet on Saturday mornings and afternoons between April and November. Children between the ages of 8 to 16 are taught how to sail and race from the very basics through to National Squad Training by RYA qualified Dinghy Instructors and Club Racing Coaches, most of whom are DWSC members.

Our present programme revolves around Optimists, Toppers and Lasers and Magno.

Training

Being an RYA Registered Training Establishment allows DWSC to provide a variety of tuition in the following areas, based upon the RYA national training schemes.

Junior and Youth Squad - See above

Powerboat training - the Club has, for many years, trained all of its safety boat drivers to RYA Safety Boat standard. This involves, in most cases, two courses. The first is the RYA Level 2 Powerboat Course, teaching the basic skills required to drive a powerboat. The second course is the RYA Safety Boat Course, building on the level 2 skills to teach candidates to competently undertake safety duties.

There is no charge for DWCS members for the training but they are expected to join the Safety Coxswain roster, resulting in a commitment of a half-day safety boat duty about 5 times per year.
The club also offers courses commercially for members who do not wish to become safety coxswains.

Adult race training - The club usually runs two 'Get racing at Datchet' training courses per year, aimed at both beginners to racing and improvers who wish to gain a better understanding of race theory and the rules, including practical on the water sessions. In 2002, we plan to expand the curriculum to teach up to the new RYA Start Racing (Level 4) standard for club members.
Race Management Training - In addition to the Adult race training, we hold short theory and on the water sessions aimed at teaching racing club members to become competent 'Club Race Officers', in charge of a Sunday Club Race Team at Datchet.

Shore Side

Changing rooms - access to changing rooms is controlled by your membership swipe-card (also required to exit the site). Hot showers are available.

Galley - the galley is run by Nigel and is open at weekend (from 9am until mid-afternoon) and after Weds Evening racing. There is a range of food (hot and cold) and drinks (hot and cold) with much freshly prepared on-site. Watch out for the specials.

Bar - Our bar is run by PJ and opens at 12 noon at weekends and evenings on Weds Evening race days. The bar also sells an assortment of chocolate bars.

Datchet Watersports

We also have a separate training establishment on site, Datchet Watersports, with whom we work in partnership. They provide a wide variety of RYA training courses from beginners to experienced sailors for adults and children. They also run corporate events and holiday youth activities. They can be contacted on +44 (0)1753 683990 or visit their web site at www.datchetwatersports.co.uk or send an e-mail to info@datchetwatersports.co.uk.

Dinghy Store Chandlery

We have an on-site chandlery - The Dinghy Store, which supplies a wide range of boat bits, equipment and clothing. If you can't find what you want - ask. They can be contacted on +44 (0)1753 681001 or visit their web site at www.dinghystore.co.uk or send an e-mail to mike@dinghystore.co.uk.

Topper International

Jon Manners will take you for a test sail in a variety of boats, including Xenon, Topper, Topaz, Omega, Magno, Buzz & Boss. Contact details are +44 (0)1753 682235 or e-mail John.Manners@toppersailboats.com.