Use of Club Boats

The club has a small number of dinghies and kayaks available for members to rent. 

We have 2 toppers and 1 enterprise dinghy and 2 x venture flex kayaks and 2 x ocean frenzy (sit on top) kayaks available.

Boats can only be taken out via the club’s online booking system and only members can make bookings. Non-members can only use the boats if they are signed in as temporary members. Under 18s must be members and cannot be signed in as temporary members. The booking member is entirely responsible for any guest(s) (in a sailing dinghy) or in their group (in the case of kayaks).

Sailing dinghies can only be taken out by those with an RYA level 2/ Stage 3 certificate on Sunday afternoons between 2 and 5pm when the club provides rescue boat cover.  The officer of the day may allow those without those qualifications to use boats depending on the conditions.

The club’s kayaks may only be used by members holding their 2 STAR kayaking certificate.  * The officer of the day may allow those without those qualifications to use the ‘sit on top’  canoes depending on the conditions.

Kayaks are available on a first come first served basis except on a  Sunday afternoons when there is safety cover. You can book using the website facility:  www.sailporty.org.uk . (If the club also decides to do a weekday evening that could also be bookable.) 

You should also fill out a boat booking form in the Beach House café, showing your  name the time you took the boat out and when it was returned.  Kayaks must be locked back onto their racks upside down after use.

You can take a boat out for a maximum of a half day e.g. morning / afternoon, providing that you:

(a) sign an appropriate disclaimer (for the year)
(b) there is adult supervision for under 18s
(c) complete the kayaking booking book in the café

However, arrangements can be made in advance for taster sessions for people without this.

Safety and members’ responsibilities.

Safety cover is only available for Sunday afternoons and within the designated area – the length of the Prom from the pumping station to the mouth of the Figgate. ((It is also subject to weather). If people leave this area or kayak/sail outside of these times they do so at their own risk.

Arrangements can be made to use kayaks and equipment off site by special arrangement subject to a disclaimer and a hire charge of £25 per day.

It is expected that kayaks, buoyancy aids, paddles etc will be returned in the condition that they were taken out.