Becoming a member

Who can apply to join

The Club welcomes new members who are keen to play an active part in the Club and its activities; experience is not important. You don’t have to own a boat and we can teach you to sail, so absolute beginners are welcome. We also run intermediate training for adults and children to encourage members to get out on the water for fun social sailing as well as regular racing.

We participate in the RYA Push the Boat Out scheme that is held from 2pm until 5pm on one Saturday in May every year.  This event offers you the chance to go out in sailing boats with experienced helms to see what sailing a dinghy is like.  This event is open to all.

How and when to apply for membership

We welcome new members at any time of the year, and if you would like to know more about the club before you apply you are invited to meet us on any Sunday around 12.30pm; please ask at the bar to be introduced to a committee member.  As well as discussing our racing, cruising and social calendars, it will be an opportunity to have a look around the club house and to understand how the club functions and meet the mix of people that make up its membership.

New members must be able to help out at the club as all the activities are run on a volunteer basis.  It is also important to have empathy with the club, its principles and its objectives, namely, to promote and maintain the sport of recreational and competitive sailing through participation and contribution.

Applying for membership

Please complete and send  us an application form (downloadable from this website or on request one can be sent to you.  There are usually blank forms in the clubhouse)

• 2020 Membership Application Form - Word (187 downloads)
• 2020 Membership Application Form - PDF (169 downloads)

You will then be invited to come along to find out more about us – what the club can offer its members and how you can help.

Applicants will be invited to the club to find out  what the club offers members, how the club is managed and what is expected of members.  These meetings are typically   last approx. one hour.

Successful candidates will be notified in writing by the Hon Membership Secretary and Membership will commence on receipt of the Joining Fee and Annual Subscription.  (see below for current fees).

Temporary Membership

Temporary membership is available for visiting sailors with their own boats. However, places are very limited. For more details please send the following form to the membership secretary a minimum of 1 month before your intended visit:

Temporary Membership Form

Please send your application to:

Hon Membership Secretary
Swanage Sailing Club
Buck Shore, Swanage
Dorset
BH19 2AW

2020 Annual subscriptions and joining fees

	Age limits	Subscription	Joining Fee
Adult	>=18	£106.00	£106.00
Adult partner	>=18	£48.00	£48.00
Youth	>=17, <=25	£48.00	£0	Educational requirement removed
Junior	>=8, <=16	£33.00	£0	Lower age limit reduced
Child (pre 2019)	<=11	£0	Not available to new members.	For existing child members only. Transition to Junior unchanged at 12
Child	<=7	£0	£0	New members

Example costs for first year
A single adult	£106 + £106 = £212
A couple	(2 x £106) + (2 x £48) = £308
A single parent with a youth	(2 x £106) + £48 = £260
A family with two children aged 10 & 13	(2 x £106) + (2 x £33) = £278

Boat hire is charged at £7/person on the boat, but new members have the fee waived for their first 10 rentals in their first year.  Boat rental fees are capped at £70/person per year. 

• Adult lessons from April to July are free However, there is a small charge for books. 
• Children’s lessons on Saturday mornings from April to July are free. However, there is a small charge for books.