Welcome Message for New Members

A warm welcome to West Lancs!

If you have been to look around the Club, you may already have met some of the members. Any questions you have, feel free to ask any of the Committee or other members mentioned below.

As well as this welcome message in printed form your introduction pack includes the Club Handbook. Please keep it handy throughout the year, as it is a good source of information about events, which can also be found here on the Club website.

The self-adhesive vinyl car sticker you will have received is your passport for access to the Club at times when the approach roads are closed for external events. Keys for members are available from the bar, and the members wi-fi code is Sailing2015!

We keep our members informed through the Club's newsletter, the Golden Lion, by email and the private WLYC Members Group page on Facebook, and of course via the Clubs website which is also updated with news and sailing results.

All the work of the Club is supported by the volunteering efforts of the members, and you will be invited to participate in areas where you have relevant skills and interests. This could mean helping to organise sailing or social activities and this should be an enjoyable way to contribute and get to know other members of the Club.

WLYC supports dinghy racing and social sailing on the lake. There is also Offshore and Radio-Controlled sailing; the use of kayaks and SUPs are fast-growing sports. We host Open Meetings for several dinghy classes as well as the WLYC 24 Hour Race a test of teamwork and endurance which is the UKs largest dinghy sailing event.

Contact details for all the people mentioned below can be found in the Handbook and on the website.

Taster Sailing - Have a Go!

Friends and non-members are also welcome for a Taster Sail with an experienced member without charge a great way to have a go! This normally takes place on Saturdays during the season but can be scheduled at other times on request. Please contact the Commodore, Training Principal or Dinghy Captain.

Club Racing

Club racing is every Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon from the end of March to the end of October. We have fleets of Enterprises, GP 14s and Streakers as well as the Handicap fleet for other dinghy classes. Do check the online calendar or the Handbook for the details of races and start times. On busy days please respect Club racing and give water priority to those participating.

Learning to Sail

Adults can learn to sail via RYA courses. Levels 1 and 2 are designed to give basic understanding of how to rig a dinghy, launch and use the wind to sail a triangular course. Level 3 will improve your skills and race training is also available. We strongly advise practising as much as you can once you have the basic skills. There are plenty of people to help you and, once you are proficient, there are Club boats to hire for a nominal charge. Powerboat and First Aid courses are also available.

Junior training is held on Saturday morning from April to October and is open to young members aged 8 and over. We have ample fleets of Club Optimists and Toppers; these are available during the classes and subsequently to hire at members rates. RYA instructors deliver training in a fun way. The children work through the RYA basic courses at their own pace and move on into competitive racing on Saturday afternoons and Thursday evenings when they are ready.

Check the website for details and dates or contact our Training Principal Ian Hughes.

Radio Controlled Boats

For those who dont like to get too wet and prefer to keep their feet on solid ground, a section of the Club is dedicated to sailing Radio-Controlled boats on Tuesdays and Sundays.

Please contact Alan Tickle for more information and to have a go. Open Meetings for the RC section are also held at the Club.

Lets Launch

As a member, the Club is now open to you 7 days a week. You can also join in with Lets Launch which is open to all members wanting to engage in social sailing as well as collaborative skills development for novices and more experienced sailors. It is always safer to sail when there are other people around and Wednesday daytime has become increasingly popular for a full days sailing with picnic lunches throughout the year. Lets Launch is also available on Saturdays. New members without a boat will often find someone happy to take them out for a recreational sail and those with a Level 2 qualification can hire a club boat. Gain confidence and time on the water while you practise your skills, and there will always be help with rigging and returning safely to shore. Contact Eleanor Mehew.

Offshore Sailing

WLYC is keen to encourage club members to sail offshore, i.e., keeping the 'Yacht' in West Lancashire Yacht Club. The Club organises offshore cruises (with experienced helms) in the UK, cross Channel as well as in the Mediterranean or even further afield such as the Caribbean or the Far East.  No previous experience is necessary although we are always looking for experienced offshore skippers and crews to pass on their skills/wisdom to the less experienced people onboard. We can also put together shore based/theory courses and advise where to consider for practical courses.

Members are kept informed of opportunities by Asa Beattie.

Club Boats

Our fleet of Optimists, Toppers, Quests and Fevas is available to hire at nominal members rates for those who have completed their Level 2 training. Further details of the hire scheme are posted on the club noticeboard and the website. Just ask a fellow club member if you need any help rigging or putting the boat away so that it is ready for the next user.

To book a club boat please text Mark Newton.

Boat Parking

Mike Collins is the person to contact if you have a boat which you wish to store at the Club on the Dinghy Park, and you will need to be a Club member and to have boat insurance.

Remember you will also need to obtain Southport Watersports licences  to park and/or to launch your dinghy, valid from March each year.  Members can purchase their licences online via the Club website and collect them from the bar at the beginning of the season.

Social

People join the Club both for the excitement and fun of sailing and to enjoy the Club's social scene. Some events are listed in the online calendar and the Handbook and plenty of notice of other forthcoming events is given by the organisers on the website, by email and on the Club noticeboard. Club night is Thursdays so, even if you are not racing, do come down to watch or have a game of snooker and enjoy a drink with your fellow members at the reasonably priced bar. The bar is also open on Saturday afternoons when toasties and excellent cakes are available from the galley.

Volunteering

The Club is run by volunteers and helping in whatever way you can is a great way to get to know the Club and other members. We welcome any ideas on how we can make the Club better you are now part of the Club so please get involved in the areas where you have the interest and will enjoy contributing. Spread the word to your friends about the Club and invite them to our social events - perhaps they will want to join.

Contact the Membership Secretary Anne Rushton if you would like more information.

Now that you are a member, we do hope to see you making the most of our Club … Happy Sailing and Socialising!

Last updated 9:11pm on 11 April 2025