OPENING DAY MAY 15th 2016

April 27, 2016

 

SQUAMISH WINDSPORTS SOCIETY OPENING DAY MAY 15th 2016

We know you’re ready for another epic season of sailing the Squamish winds. The staff and directors of the SWS have been working hard through the spring to make sure this season kicks in as smooth as our morning inflow.

Here are a few things we would like you to know...

 

CARPET ROLL OUT - MAY 7th / 8th WEEKEND

The SWS staff will be at The Spit on the weekend of May 7th / 8th @ 9am to roll out the carpets. We will decide which morning (Sat or Sun) to roll them out based on weather, favoring a day for better wind conditions in the afternoon.

This is not something we can do alone though, so will be calling for a minimum of 12 volunteers to help us. Everyone is welcome to help but we would like a core crew to pre-register via E-Mail.There will be food and drinks available for the registered helpers. Sturdy shoes and good gloves are advised.

Please email and specify your preferred day if applicable and what time you will arrive to: info@squamishwindsports.com
 

MEMBERSHIP PRE-REGISTRATION

To maximise your first session’s time on the water, please pre-register for your membership online. Family and Student memberships are online available on-site at The Spit.

www.squamishwindsports.com/membership

An exciting new feature this year; members will have the option of using a unique key tag provided by the SWS to make your check-in process quick and easy. No need to wait for staff to check you in, just swipe the barcoded key tag and you’re good to go. Remember, Check-In is mandatory for all sailors.

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This can be attached to your gear bag, tucked in a harness knife pocket or clipped in your wetsuit key pocket. We do recommend keeping it away from sun and abrasion. Alternately, if you have an existing barcode (Drivers License, Save-On Foods, Tattooed etc...) we can register it as a Check-in card.

Please Check-In with staff on your first visit to receive the card.
 

MEMBERSHIP/USER ETIQUETTE

Due to staffs observations over the past seasons we feel it necessary to remind members that you are NOT a customer of the SWS. You are a member of a non-profit club and community! Please show patience, respect to your fellow members and help educate them with the latest beach policies and etiquette. We encourage you to take pride in your membership and become involved in the community and society.The staff are on-site primarily to Preserve Access for sailors. If this is new information to you, please review our official documents online at: http://squamishwindsports.com/about/documents/#legal-documents

We do everything possible to provide additional assistance but staff are not to replace proper training. We greatly rely on and appreciate inter-member education and polite policing.

The speed limit on The Spit Access Road which travels through a protected Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is 50 KPH. If any other users are present on the road you MUST slow down to a speed where your vehicle creates no dust! This may be as slow as 10 KPH. The SWS is always seeking ways to improve the road experience and obeying the speed limit is your part in helping this process. We know you are excited, but please respect others.
 

BEACH ETIQUETTE AND SAFETY

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Any kites left unattended in the Active area will be deflated and removed by staff! Leaving your kite in the Active area is discourteous to other members and is a major safety issue. This task is quite a burden on staff, drawing our attention away from monitoring sailors on the water. We would greatly appreciate the community pulling together and politely educating when issues arise on the beach.

Here is a short list of reminders for sailing at The Spit.

  • Windsurfers have priority over kites on the beach. Please make clear paths for their gear and assist when appropriate.

  • The lower half of your wetsuit must be on before pumping a kite and fully on WITH harness before moving to the Active Area.

  • There should be no kites in the Active area unless you are IMMEDIATELY rigging your lines and launching. If the active area looks empty this is not an invitation for you to take extra time rigging.

  • Inflated kites can be temporarily stored in the staging area. On a busy day this is a 5 minute maximum storage area for gear change or adjustments. If this area becomes overloaded please deflate your kite.

  • Make sure that your gear is weighted down with sandbags.

  • Once landed in the Active Area, wrap up your lines and move your kite immediately to the staging area.

  • Do not rig your lines over someone else’s - be patient and follow the current beach layout posted at the staff bunker.

  • Do not sail in the estuary - this is a Wildlife Management Area and is out of bounds to all sailors.

  • Retrievals are not guaranteed! Be aware that the further you ride away from the Spit, the harder it is for staff to see you.

  • Ask a staff member or someone you trust to launch and land your kite.

  • Extra gear can be stored on the West (river) side of the board walk.

  • Ensure that you know how to properly self-rescue so that staff can safely retrieve you if you get into trouble. If you are unsure how to do this then you need to finish your lesson program with an SWS approved school. For windsurfers, please listen to staff directions during a retrieval.

Tips for launching a kite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzx5D96qxEw

Tips for landing a kite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYKZnvp6BfM


 

We are looking forward to a fun and windy season with you all!

If you have any questions, please ask a staff member on-site or email: info@squamishwindsports.com

 

See you on the beach!

SWS Management