As you can understand we have put a large investment into our fleet (with the vast majority of our boats being under 3 years old) so we obviously can't provide access to our boats/windsurfing boards/kayaks without some sort of qualification.
For most of our members this means taking lessons - the club has a graduated lesson program where the more lessons you take the more equipment you can use.
If you feel that you are proficient (can demonstrate a high level of competence) on a given piece of equipment you can take a proficiency exam by following the instructions at the bottom of each fleet's Lessons page.
5. What is the club's policy on wetsuits?
Wetsuits are mandatory October 1st to June 1st - any craft, no exceptions. Wetsuits are highly recommended year round - even in the middle of the summer you will find that most members wear wetsuits.
The club sells wetsuits each spring. Having a direct deal with the manufacturer Hyper Flex Wetsuits we offer the best price in the city. For more information see our Announcements page.
Most people wear 3 or 4 mm suits. Speaking from experience, full legs (not a shortie) are recommended to protect your knees. In addition to a wetsuit, you will want neoprene booties, and perhaps a windbreaker/rainjacket, toque/sunhat, gloves.
6. Do I need to take a safety orientation?
Safety orientations are an annual requirement for all returning members (or new members who will for one reason or another not be taking introductory level lessons). Safety orientations will be conducted at each registration day (only take about 30 mins and do not require getting wet). At the end of the safety orientation you will be able to exchange your key for a new one (locks are changed approximately March 31st every year).
7. Who runs the club?
The club is run by the "exec", a very dedicated group of volunteers who put in countless hours. In fact many of the exec will average over 10 hours per week from early spring to late fall. There is not a single member of the exec who is paid for the time they put in (although most instructors are paid).
With this in mind please remember to be patient and understanding when dealing with exec - this is not a business, it is a non-profit club. Remember we do not like to say no but we have to in order to make sure the club is fun and safe for all members.
If you happen to have the opportunity no member of the exec will turn down a beer and good discussion on the patio.
8. What should I do if I damage a boat?
No worries, accidents happen. If you know how to do repairs yourself and can complete the repair before anyone else use the equipment, please go ahead and do the required maintenance. If you can do the repair but not the same day, mark it on the fix-it board especially if the equipment should not be used and email the appropriate fleet captain regarding completion. If you don't know how to do the work yourself email the appropriate fleet captain (see the Contact page) and they will either arrange a time to meet up or direct you to the next work party.
9. Does the club offer refunds?
We do not offer refunds for membership. We try to re-schedule you into a different set of lessons if appropriate notice (2 weeks or more) is given. It is the individual's responsibility to understand the inherent risks of water related activities and what may be involved in learning how to sail, windsurf, or kayak. If you are unsure about the activities, please discuss with an exec at registration. All activities require entering the water, a degree of physical fitness, and an understanding of safety in regards to: the environment, others on the water, yourself and guests, and the equipment.
10. Why is the club associated with the AMS (UBC Student Society)?
The club was originally founded as a non-profit student organization and as such continuing with the AMS allows the club to remain affordable to students and the general public.
11. How do I become the sailor of the week?
Contact the club photographer, Robert Fougere (
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) for your free portrait sitting and brief interview.
12. Can I bring guests?
You may bring any single guest up to 4 times in the season (if they want to come more than 4 times, they should become a member themselves!), and any number of guests in total over the season. Guests may only act as crew on double-handed boats or double kayaks. Skippers are fully responsible for their guests and the vessel.
13. Can I take boats out of the Jericho compound or overnight?
No, equipment can only leave the compound for club organized events such as the annual Keats Island camping trip and Windsurfing trips. The only exception is high wind windsurfing gear which can be accessed with a proficiency exam and a high wind deposit.
14. I got into a collision on the water, what do I do?
As the skipper, you are completely responsible for your boat. You are responsible for making good with the owner of the other boat, for repairing the UBC Boat and for notifying the appropriate fleet captain. The fleet captains and rear commodores will be able to offer advise and teach you how to do the repairs.
Accidents happen, the most important thing is that you treat this as a learning opportunity. No one at the club will be upset so long as you inform us and make good on your damage.
Registration Questions:
1. I completed my online registration, am I now a full member in good standing?
No. Online registration is just one step to streamline our registration process. You are not a member until you attend a registration day or office hours and payment is received by the UBC Sailing Club.
2. How do I register, and what is the signup process?
Signup is a multi-step procedure, the most important thing to understand is that there is no way to confirm your registration without attending a registration day or office hours to hand in your waivers and pay in person (cash or credit - Visa, Mastercard):
1. Go to the registration section of our website and create an account, including your lesson preferences indicated (once again - your lesson spot is not confirmed until you have paid).
2. Attend a registration day or office hours to pay and confirm your spot. Both of these are posted in the office hours section of our website.
3. Is there a cap on membership?
Yes! Over the past few years demand for the UBC Sailing Club has grown at a very high rate and demand has never been higher (weird how being the most affordable water access in BC while offering the most modern fleet will do that). In 2010 membership will be capped at 500 people, any more and it would be hard to get access to the boats.
Further to the 500 person capacity it is important to note that we have to maintain a 60% UBC student membership because of our association with the UBC AMS (UBC Student Society).
In 2010 our non-student (general/associate) membership filled up on the first open day of registration where a line started to form about an hour before registration opened.
4. Does being a returning member make it easier for me to join the club?
Yes, but only at returning members night. If you miss returning members night you are in competition with all non-returning members for the last spots in the club.
5. What is the difference between student, associate and general members?
Students: current UBC student complete with valid student card and student number.
Associate: current full-time student at another post secondary institution, UBC graduate, or UBC faculty/staff
General: everyone else.
Kayaking Questions:
Windsurfing Questions:
Stand up Paddle Boarding Questions:
Sailing Questions:
1. What certification do I get for completing your lessons?
Our lessons are not actually CYA certified (although our instructors are CYA-qualified or equivalent). Roughly speaking Beginner sailing lessons are equivalent to White Sail I & II and Intermediate sailing lessons are equivalent to White Sail III.
Near the end of the season, the club offers the opportunity to get CYA-certified for anyone who took Beginner or Intermediate this season. It is a 3-hour exam, with both written and on-water components. The instructor will give successful candidates a CYA certificate and sticker, White Sail II for Beginner and White Sail III for Intermediate.
2. I used to sail, what level of lessons should I take?
If you have previously passed a White Sail lesson or if you have a moderate level of experience, then you should discuss skipping Beginner and jumping right into Intermediate with the exec who completes your registration or with the lessons coordinator. Please note, some students find entering Intermediate lessons directly quite challenging after a significant break in their sailing career.
3. Should I take a proficiency exam?
If you feel that you are an advanced sailor you should seriously consider it. Our proficiency exams will look for a high level of skill. If you have recently completed Whitesail III and have not spent a lot of time on the water you probably will not pass. If you are in doubt, consider taking Intermediate lessons - not only are our lessons a great deal (Intermediate is $95 for 24 hours of instruction) but they are also the best way to meet new sailing partners.
4. How do I take a proficiency exam?
Step 1. Submit a sailing resume to the Fleet Captain, Anton, at
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with the following details:
• when, where and with whom did you learn how to sail?
• any prior sailing courses and/or certification?
• what kinds of boats have you sailed?
• how many years of sailing experience do you have?
• when was the last time you sailed?
Upon review of your sailing resume, Anton will contact you to arrange your examination, which will be scheduled after your Rigging Refresher (see Step 3).
Step 2. Attend a mandatory
Refresher Course ($15, 3 hours) or arrange a private/semi-private rigging lesson ($25, 1 hour), to become familiar with the rigging of our specific boats.
Step 3. Schedule an exam, which happen on Saturday afternoons - choose your date
here, then email Anton or Sarah I. You are not confirmed in an exam until Anton or the Sailing Lesson Coordinator has placed you into the session.
Step 4. On your exam day, arrive at 3:00-3:30 PM to rig your boat on your own, be ready to sail by 4:00 PM. Dress for capsize. You will be certified at the evaluator’s discretion. If you fail the exam or do not meet the above requirements, you must complete lessons (either Beginner or Intermediate) to earn access to the boats.
Check exam schedule & availability
HERE.
For Beginner or Intermediate sailing lessons, generally you could miss 3 to 6 hours of the lessons and still be able to pass, provided your skills are developing well. Be sure to ask the instructor about the material you missed. Passing the lessons, whether you miss any days or not, is still up to the discretion of the instructor. If you miss more than 6 hours of lessons you will likely fail and need to pay for another set of lessons.
