How do we get into sailing?

Getting Into The Timaru Harbour

Nov 7, 2019

Getting Into The Timaru Harbour

It’s easy just go to your local yacht club online or in person and sign onto their crew bank. I guarantee that you won’t have to wait long to get an invite, whether you are an experienced sailor or not. Boat owners are always looking for crew that are physically fit and will commit to a series of races.

If you’re new to the sport you will have to make an investment in foul weather gear and sailing gloves.

I was particularly drawn to the West Vancouver Yacht Club after reading the Intro to Clubs History.

“A yacht club is formed by a group of people with a common interest in using boats to get away from land and enjoy cruising local and distant waters, racing for the thrill of personal combat against other sailors and the elements, or just messing about on boats.” In the children’s classic The Wind in the Willows, it is described thus: “There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats…or with boats…in or out of ’em, it doesn’t matter.”

Sunday Racing

If you’re living anywhere near the West Vancouver Yacht Club and want to get into sailing this fall or winter, I would recommend that you sign up for their crew bank, Crew members looking for a ride as well as skippers looking for crew can browse and post to their crew bank. To add your name to the listing, just send an email to their Sailing Director at sailingdirector@wvyc.ca. Be sure to note your name, experience level or crew requirements, and contact details. Postings will be removed regularly, so send another email if you wish your name to be added back to the list.

West Vancouver Yacht Club Docks

Also, refer to the Crew Wanted page of this section if you are looking for that last person to give you that winning edge.

For complete information on how to sign up for the crew bank at the West Vancouver Yacht Club go to https://www.wvyc.ca/racing/crew-bank

WVYC Racing Schedule 2019- 2020
Series Chart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Articles

Man Overboard

Man Overboard

An accident that occurs with surprising frequency to passengers and crew is falling. The chance of this happening can be greatly reduced if precautions are taken, such as wearing non-skid shoes that lace up and wearing appropriate clothing that does not impede movement. Those on board should make sure they have a sound footing and a good handhold at all times.

Seamanship – Knowledge Is Power

Seamanship – Knowledge Is Power

We’ve all heard this before but it’s especially true when it comes to boating– knowledge is power. It is the power to confidently take your boat out with a load of passengers, go on longer trips, into unfamiliar waters, or even to navigate on your own to distant ports – that is the power of knowledge. The Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, (CPS-ECP) offers a wide range of courses from introductory level to advanced and everything in between. Always focused on boating safety, the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, (CPS-ECP) have been empowering recreational boaters with knowledge for more than 75 years in Canada. Most of their courses are offered through the off-season when Power Squadron members themselves are unable to be out on their own boats. 

Flag Etiquette: Flying Flags and Pennants Properly

Flag Etiquette: Flying Flags and Pennants Properly

A number of weeks ago I received an e-mail from a Canadian who owned and operated a recreational boat in the U.S. The boat, for the most part, stayed in U.S. waters and was licensed in a U.S. State. The owner wanted to know where he could fly a Canadian flag to indicate his citizenship.

The simple answer was that he could not, if he was operating in U.S. waters. The National flag indicates the Country of registry, or where the boat is licensed, in this case the U.S. A courtesy flag indicates where the vessel is being operated, for the most part, also the U.S. These flags do not indicate the citizenship of the owner/operator.

Video Gallery

Pursuit S268 Sport CC

By Andy Adams

The Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console is a do-it-all kind of boat with a solid sense of style. Centre console designs have been developed for the southern blue water sport fishing enthusiasts (and this boat would raise fish with the best of them) but the Pursuit S 268 Sport centre console offers far more utility and enjoyment than just fishing.

Read More

Destinations

Bayfield Marine Turns 40 with Big April Events

(l to r) Holly, Adam, Pat, Ron, Shelley

Ron and Pat Reder started out in October 1984 across the road from where they are right now on the Bayfield River in Bayfield ON. The store front was about 10 x 20 and the rest of that side of the building was a stock room, wood finishing room, then behind that was more back stock and the lunchroom. Expanding every few years for the store front, then moving over to this new building five years ago, this year with Adam, Shelley, and Holly are carrying on the business.

Read More

Lifestyle