FAQ

Yes, you can join with a family pack which includes up to 10 children per family. We have a great social side at the Club when the cadets are learning and sailing together at weekend. We have Adult Sailing sessions too, so if you have never sailed a boat but would like to learn, then these sessions are for you (see here for more details of our training courses).

Yes. At least one Saturday a month during the sailing season we organise coaching and cadet races. In addition, cadets have their own championship event, and more experienced cadets are encouraged to join the series racing on Wednesdays and Sundays. Overall there are in excess of 15 trophies raced for by the cadets.

No, just the annual membership fee

Yes. Members joining after 1st June or 1st September pay three quarters or half respectively of the subscription and berthing fees for the year.

UTSC supplies buoyancy aids for use in training courses. Other than that, we recommend that you have soft-soled shoes/trainers and a waterproof jacket. Be prepared to get wet, and always come to the club with a change of clothes just in case you do get wet. Gloves are also useful to protect your hands from the ropes.

Typically a year's sailing duties include two days at a weekend (Saturday or Sunday) and a Wednesday evening. We encourage non-sailing partners of members to help with either sailing or bar duties as they feel able to.

Initially it is likely to be in the carpark, just a short distance from the river. If you sail on a regular basis it is likely that you will be allocated a slot on the river frontage (the number of these slots is limited and the slots are allocated based on the frequency of use of boats).

No. UTSC welcomes sailors of all types of dinghy and the Handicap Fleet is the home for the "orphans" in the club, sailors who have boats that are not part of the sailing classes that have regular class racing starts (Merlins, Wayfarers, OKs and A Raters).

UTSC maintains a Classifieds section on its website for members to advertise boats and gear for sale. Please click here to view this.

Yes. Members must have a valid Environment Agency River Licence for their own boat when sailing on the River Thames. To obtain an Unpowered Leisure Craft licence please visit the EA site . The club obtains the appropriate licences for its own club boats (and for boats entering for regattas and open days).

Yes. Members must have their boats insured for at least £3 million in respect of third-party liability (this is standard for most boat insurance policies, but please check yours). The club will not be responsible for any losses, costs, claims, or liabilities that members may incur.

UTSC pays particular attention to child protection and has its own Safeguarding Officer tasked with implementing our Safeguarding Policy.

Race are run from early March through to 1 January, with fun sailing from April to mid-October. Members can also sail on their own at any time throughout the year (including the winter) but at these times there will be no safety boat cover. At all times, members must make their own risk assessment before going on the water.

The club has its own private crossing with gates, warning lights and alarms. There is plenty of warning given to allow boats to cross safely between the club and the road leading to the carpark. Young children must be supervised to make sure they do not go through the gates on their own.

We have a great social side to the Club. The bar is open most Saturdays and Sundays during the sailing season, and Wednesday evenings when racing is being held. In addition, we organise BBQ nights, dinners, dances and other events throughout the whole year.

BEW (as it is known) is the club's annual regatta that has been run since the club was formed in 1884. Racing is opened up to non-members, with 6-8 highly competitive races held for each major class. BEW holds the mighty Thames A-Rater championships, whilst in some years the Merlin Rockets and OKs host their annual River Championships at BEW. The racing is complemented by very popular social events every evening. Although typically held over the Whit Bank Holiday at the end of May, due to the pandemic in 2021 it has been postponed to the end-of-August Bank Holiday.

As its name suggests, JBEW is focussed solely on our younger sailors, and is typically held after BEW. Nearly always fully booked out in advance, this highly popular event includes racing, on-water fun and social events. Although typically held immediately after the Whit Bank Holiday at the end of May, due to the pandemic in 2021 it has been postponed to the 23-25 July.

Please feel free to contact our membership secretary at memberships@utsc.org.uk or use the Contact Form on this website.