Lancing SC in the community

Sailing has been a regular feature on the waters around Lancing beach since this club opened in 1959, and we are lucky to still have several of the founder members contributing the club activities and atmosphere.

The club has developed a special relationship with other local sailing clubs, where we provide sea sailing experience to inland sailors, adults and young people; in addition to occasional have-a-go sessions to local people. Equipment to enable the disabled to make use of the club facilities is provided.

As with any organisation our club activities have an impact on the environment and community of Lancing. We are proud of our record in working with the community and local authorities over the past 45 years as we have developed from a group of enthusiastic sailors meeting on the beach each weekend to the state of the art facilities 100% owned by the club that we now enjoy.

Recent examples of this are seen in working with the local council in the planning and construction of the current club premises and the beach reconstruction work where LSC started discussions with contractors 3 years before work commenced to ensure the continued safe operation of the club and the protection of the foreshore.

The operation of the club is carried out by an enthusiastic group who manage LSC according to strict rules. Included in this are a well thought out health and safety policy and we were one of the first organisation in the UK sailing community to develop a child protection policy in conjunction with the RYA and the police.

Sited on the edge of the beach surrounded on all sides by public footpaths and residential property means that all our activities are very much on show. For this reason we have developed a code of conduct for our club to ensure that our interactions with the environment and the community consider the impacts we may have from the operation of the club.

Lancing SC code of practice

The safety of all club members is of paramount importance requiring all members to observe and follow safety rules and guidelines.

Members should not take to sea in inappropriate conditions that could lead to the need to call the emergency services.

Particular awareness should be given to young inexperienced sailors who may not appreciate the dangers associated with the conditions on the day.

Members of the public should be advised where necessary of the associated dangers of our sport and the equipment we use.

Washing of boats should be carried out on the beach using the hoses provided; boats should not be washed down on the pathways.

Hoses for washing down boats should be used with care to avoid spraying passers-by with water.

Boats should not be parked on pathways such that the free movement to the general public is restricted.

Consideration should be given to cyclists, pushchairs and disabled carriages which should be allowed to move along the concrete paths without hindrance.

Unloading of boats in the lane should be carried out a quickly as possible to ensure access to the beach and the lane are not restricted.

During open meetings visiting boats shall be unloaded at the end of Shopsdam road and wheeled down to the beach to reduce traffic movements.

Vehicle movements down the lane should be limited to delivering / collecting boats / club supplies / maintenance and to provide access for the disabled.

Where vehicles are brought down Shopsdam road speed should be limited to walking pace bearing in mind that the highway passes directly past residential property.

Parking is not allowed by club members in any part of Shopsdam road except for unloading of boats or supplies or to allow club maintenance to be performed.

Consideration should be given to residents of Shopsdam road and the surrounding area to reduce disturbance as much as possible; consider how you would feel if you lived close to the club

Storage of boats in the compounds should ensure the vessels are stored neatly, securely and covered when not in use.

Loose halyards on stored fixed mast boats should be secured to ensure they do not cause undue noise.

Litter should be removed from the beach and placed in the bins provided.
Note that ONLY BIN LINERS should be placed in the wheelie bin placed in the compound. Please do not put loose rubbish, as the refuse collection will not collect it.

The recycling bin for cans and plastics should be used where possible.

Club crockery and glasses should be returned to the canteen when not in use.

Club premises should be left secure, ensuring all locks provided are in place and used.
The key provided to all full and family members opens 4 locks: the padlocks on the main compound and the annexe compound gates, the main door to the clubhouse and the lock on the annexe building.

The winch should be operated by members with knowledge of its safe operation.

With the new beach profile a lookout should be employed at the top of the beach to signal between the winch operator and the boat handler on the lower beach.

Consideration should be given to public, including pets, using the beach that may be unaware of the dangers of the winch cable.

Following use of the winch, the cable should be wound back onto the drum, left in gear and the strop removed from the cable end. The free end of the cable should then be placed below the level of the path.

Sailing race areas should be positioned to take into account other water users such as fishermen and swimmers.

Attention should be paid to not placing marks too close in shore on a falling tide where boats may end up passing close to swimmers and other beach users.

Please remember that the race area is not dedicated to the sole use of Lancing SC members. Courtesy and compromise will help more than confrontation.