Sailing with us
The club is keen to attract new members, even knowing this it may be a bit daunting to introduce yourself to established members or to book on a sail, so here are some suggestions:
- Just do it! -look at the program 5KSC Sailing Schedule choose from a race (essentially a skills honing sail), taster sail or cruise and book
- Email us – see the contact form on the website
- In the Spring or Autumn come down to Liverpool Marina to join the sailors after the Sunday race for a chat
- In the Spring sign up for a maintenance session
You do not have to be a member to sail, but you will have to pay a non-members daily fee, if you are a member of CSSC then you can apply for CSSA for free, you just need to do some paperwork- see the form on website: http://cs-sailing.org.uk/membership/
For the complete beginner- you can use some of the clubs old waterproofs if you have nothing suitable . We provide lifejackets for all the crew, but bring your own non-marking trainers (and dry shoes to go home in), warm layers even in summer, sunglasses, a hat that stays on and sun-cream.
For the enthusiast – you can choose from mile building cruises, get some night hours recorded, if already a day-skipper consider applying for the Inshore Skipper scheme.
Training – 5KSC is a recognised RYA training centre and has RYA approved instructors who can offer practical courses -competent crew, day skipper and coastal skipper courses based out of Largs on the Clyde. You can register your interest with us for RYA training with our 5KSC RYA Training Form
On Line Theory – 5KSC is in partnership with Kipper Sailing (also called Skippers online) who provide online RYA theory courses. These include Day skipper, Yachtmaster and Ocean skipper qualification. 5KSC members will generate a discount of £75.00 which can then be spent by the trainee on a practical course run by 5KSC. The £75.00 will revert to 5KSC general funds if the course is not completed within 3 years of finishing the theory course. The courses come highly recommended by club members. You can apply for courses via 5KSC Kipper Training Form .
Taster Sails – If you are new to sailing, or have not sailed on a yacht before, why not try one of our Taster Sails on the River Mersey. We run these in autumn, winter and spring. They last about 4 hours and you do not need any previous sailing experience. The skipper and experienced Mate will meet you at the boat, kit you out with a life jacket and run you through a full safety brief before heading out through the marina tidal lock and onto the Mersey.
Racing – We race on the river Mersey during the Autumn, Winter and Spring in the Liverpool Yacht Club Series. You do not have to be an expert racer to take part – you just need some previous sailing experience and a wish to apply or hone your skills. Under motor, there are opportunities to hone your skills as crew or helm for leaving and returning to finger berths and the lock pontoons, and rafting to other yachts in the lock. Under sail there are opportunities to hone your helming skills, hoisting and handling the sails (including spinnaker), trimming the mainsheet, genoa and spinnaker, amongst others. You might do as many tacks and gybes in a 2 hour race as you would in a week of cruising! Just let your skipper know what you want to achieve.
Cruising – We offer cruising from a few day to several weeks with our RYA qualified Skippers. Throughout the Summer season we cruise in the best cruising areas around the Irish Sea. This often includes the beautiful Clyde estuary and the Hebrides. Our Sailing Programme is updated in the spring and throughout summer with available cruises.
