Welcome. Let me introduce myself. My name is Michael Sharpe and I’m the Chairman of the SWA.

 

The members of our club are all interested in boats and one of our main aims are to lay up our boats in the Winter as cheaply as possible and to enjoy working together as a team while we do so.

 

We all have an equal share in the Club, and therefore an equal responsibility to each other.

 

Our Club has a set of rules and also a Health & Safety policy. If you are accepted as a member you’ll be given copies of these, so please make sure you read and understand them. You’ll also receive a list of Committee Members and details of SWA meetings and events. If you join you’ll be on one year’s probation.

 

The Club normally meets on the second Thursday of January (the AGM), then on the first Thursday of every other month except for July. Committee meetings take place in between General meetings. You are expected to attend General meetings where possible. If you can’t attend please let a Committee member know.

 

We are promote safety at sea and ask that if you are ever in a position to assist a fellow member in trouble afloat, you should do so without expecting a reward. We encourage members in various aspects including boat and mooring maintenance and are pleased to give advice when needed, especially to our less experienced members.

 

We hold a Summer BBQ, and we also arrange a coach trip to the Beaulieu Boat Jumble in April, which is the largest one in the country. We hope you’ll support these social events.

 

 Members who have an interest in sea angling compete for a Winter & Summer trophy. The winner of each trophy is determined by the best specimen reported to the Competition  Secretary at any time during each season.

 

When club boats are beached or launched, we all agree to help out on those days. This includes rigging the trailer at the start of the day, and de-rigging and storing the equipment at the end of the day. The use of alcohol or non-medicinal substances during beaching & launching is forbidden and could  result in a member being expelled (rule 24a) if found to be in breach of this rule.

 

The Club provides a railway sleeper for your boat to sit on. You will need enough blocks to raise your boat up. It’s your responsibility to provide these. We recommend wooden blocks as the beer barrels, which were once used, are now likely to be repossessed by the Brewers.

 

 When your boat is stored you must keep your area tidy & clear of rubbish & materials. Take your rubbish home with you for disposal. Don’t put it in the Council bins as this upsets the Council and puts our lease at risk. You must lock up your ladders to avoid unauthorised use by thieves & vandals to gain access to other members boats.

 

When all the boats are re-launched we hold a “Clear up” night so we leave our leased area clean & tidy. If your boat has been out you are expected to come along & help on this night.

 

We hold a series of working parties throughout the year to maintain our equipment and to keep our working & storage areas clear and secure. Members are expected to take part in at least one of these per year which qualifies them for a discount on the following years membership fee.

 

We have a “Winkle Club” which is a bit of fun & raises money for the Lifeboat.