LOCH BROOM SAILING CLUB
Flying Fifteens, Picos, cruisers, skiffs - we welcome all those who
enjoy messing about on the water. LBSC is a friendly club that welcomes new
members.
Loch Broom Sailing Club is open to all with an interest in the sea and sailing. You don't have to own your own boat or even have much experience.
The Club owns some Flying Fifteens, 22ft keelboats which are ideal for racing and regatta events. Newcomers to sailing can get a good taste of the pastime by crewing a Flying Fifteen, without much danger of getting too wet (or traumatised!).
Loch Broom Sailing Club is open to all with an interest in the sea and sailing. You don't have to own your own boat or even have much experience.
The Club owns some Flying Fifteens, 22ft keelboats which are ideal for racing and regatta events. Newcomers to sailing can get a good taste of the pastime by crewing a Flying Fifteen, without much danger of getting too wet (or traumatised!).
Private FF owners number around eight. There are a range of larger, privately-owned cruising sailboats which undertake
trips to the Summer Isles, the Western & Northern Isles and further afield.
There are a growing number of children in the club who enjoy sailing accompanied in the Flying Fifteens and on the larger boats but also have fun on their own in the in the Picos, an ideal craft for small beginners.
There are a growing number of children in the club who enjoy sailing accompanied in the Flying Fifteens and on the larger boats but also have fun on their own in the in the Picos, an ideal craft for small beginners.
The Feva is a high performance dinghy for those who have graduated from
Picos and can also be sailed by adults.
Use of the Club House
Keys are available to purchase at cost. The Club House has a small
lounge area, small store, toilet and small kitchen. There are no showers.
Club Discount
Members of the Club are eligible for 10% discount at Caley Marine
Chandlery Inverness. Bulk purchasing of items from other suppliers, such as
wetsuits has been organised and members can enjoy discount of up to 30% on this
type of order.
Grants
The Club endeavours to obtain grant aid for group training and has been
successful in obtaining a 50% grant for children's' training in 2003 and 2004.
Training
Training
The Club is not an RYA accredited training centre, but has organised
various training courses using visiting instructors and endeavours to give
junior members every encouragement to learn to sail.
Ullapool UHI can organise RYA shore based courses such as: RYA Day
Skipper, Yachtmaster, Competent crew, RYA powerboat level II, First Aid,
Liferaft and lifejacket use and safe use of flares.
We have close links with local clubs which can offer formal training for
those working up their RYA qualifications.
Use of Club Equipment
Members of the Club are eligible to use Club owned assets (including the
Picos, Feva and the Flying Fifteens). Use of all Club equipment should comply
with club safety requirements.
Flying Fifteens
The Club has two Flying Fifteen classic racing dinghies afloat during
the summer, moored just off the Wee Pier. Each boat is available for use by
club members. Racing takes place most weekends, and on Friday evenings weather
permitting, and Saturdays, 3pm.
Picos and Feva
The Club owns three Pico dinghies and a Feva. These are launched each
summer weekend, with safety boat cover, for the use of adults and children in
the Club, weather permitting. Although the club is not a recognised RYA sailing
centre informal instruction is given. Parents of children using the boats are
expected to help out with launching, recovering, shore support and safety boat
cover on a rota basis.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Self reliance rather than certification
is a strong tradition in the Highlands, both afloat and ashore. We may appear
to be among the most laid back sailing clubs in the country, which doesn't mean
that we take safety lightly; far from it: you soon get bitten, sailing up here,
but we rely on commonsense and the expertise of members, rather than an over
reliance on certificates.
Take advice from an experienced sailor if
in doubt about going afloat. Less confident sailors should stay in an area
where you can be easily seen and quickly reached.
Do not sail in a boat or in weather
conditions that are beyond your competence.
In short: respect the weather conditions, which can change rapidly, and the advice of those who know the area from many years’ experience of its moods.
In short: respect the weather conditions, which can change rapidly, and the advice of those who know the area from many years’ experience of its moods.
Welcome to the Loch Broom Sailing Club. Our club is one which has
traditionally had a fairly informal and non-disciplined attitude towards its
running. As membership and facilities continue to grow there is, however, a
need to be more rigorous and structured in our approach with safety being
paramount and we do demand that certain safety standards are adhered to at all
times.
The club was founded on the competitive edge of racing in largely single class boats. From there it developed into cruising/racing and thence to long distance cruising. Currently, the fleet of Flying Fifteens and more recently Picos has stimulated the competitive edge and we now see a resurgence of interest in racing in general - and this is to be encouraged.
The club is run by an elected committee and it has generally been the case that a regular core of committee members have been the mainstay of annual maintenance and repair to the clubhouse and its assets. We currently have a desire to improve the clubhouse and its surroundings, to maintain and look after the club boats, to organise training, to organise racing, to supervise Pico sailing, to be race starter, to chase grant aid - to name but a few of the ongoing requirements. We therefore welcome assistance from members who feel that they could help with, or perhaps take ownership, of any of these roles. We welcome new blood on the committee. If you would like to volunteer for any of these roles or feel you could contribute in any way to the running of the club we would be pleased to hear from you. Alternatively, please feel free to attend any of our committee meetings and offer your assistance.
The club occupies a very prominent position and we are under scrutiny from locals and visitors alike. It is essential that we maintain the appearance of the club, its environs and its assets - and for this we rely mainly on the enthusiasm and commitment of members. We would encourage you therefore to take your share of work during the many work parties that we intend to convene over the summer and winter periods.
Work parties unfortunately (or fortunately) have to fit between summer racing and cruising commitments and between winter training and boat maintenance - and that is before even considering the demands of normal family life - such is the life of a sailor.
The club was founded on the competitive edge of racing in largely single class boats. From there it developed into cruising/racing and thence to long distance cruising. Currently, the fleet of Flying Fifteens and more recently Picos has stimulated the competitive edge and we now see a resurgence of interest in racing in general - and this is to be encouraged.
The club is run by an elected committee and it has generally been the case that a regular core of committee members have been the mainstay of annual maintenance and repair to the clubhouse and its assets. We currently have a desire to improve the clubhouse and its surroundings, to maintain and look after the club boats, to organise training, to organise racing, to supervise Pico sailing, to be race starter, to chase grant aid - to name but a few of the ongoing requirements. We therefore welcome assistance from members who feel that they could help with, or perhaps take ownership, of any of these roles. We welcome new blood on the committee. If you would like to volunteer for any of these roles or feel you could contribute in any way to the running of the club we would be pleased to hear from you. Alternatively, please feel free to attend any of our committee meetings and offer your assistance.
The club occupies a very prominent position and we are under scrutiny from locals and visitors alike. It is essential that we maintain the appearance of the club, its environs and its assets - and for this we rely mainly on the enthusiasm and commitment of members. We would encourage you therefore to take your share of work during the many work parties that we intend to convene over the summer and winter periods.
Work parties unfortunately (or fortunately) have to fit between summer racing and cruising commitments and between winter training and boat maintenance - and that is before even considering the demands of normal family life - such is the life of a sailor.
SAFETY
Loch Broom Sailing Club recognises that there are always risks
associated with sailing. The club policy is based on the following principles:
Responsibility for the safe operation of the club rests with the
members.
The guidelines will ensure, as far as is reasonably practical, safe
conditions are maintained within the clubhouse and compound, and minimise the
risks associated with activities on the water.
Club members have a duty of care to take all reasonable steps to avoid
injuring other club members and water users or damaging others equipment.
Members participate in all activities, which are not club training
events, at their own risk.
Children are the responsibility of their parent, guardian or a
supervising adult during these activities. The club does not carry out risk
assessments for members taking part in these activities; it is the
responsibility of individual members to make their own assessments of risk,
taking into account factors such as weather, tides, skill, experience,
equipment etc.
Members are free
to use club facilities and assets at any time, subject to the individual rules
for the club’s Picos, Flying Fifteens and St Ayles skiff. However they should
remember that safety cover is only available at organised club events and
therefore they are sailing entirely at their own risk.
A fundamental principle of maritime law is that the skipper is
responsible for the safety of his vessel and crew. It is the skipper's responsibility
to decide whether to start or continue a race.
The club has only one Rule covering all water activities at all times:
Life jackets or buoyancy aids (appropriate CE approved, eg min.150N life
jackets or 50N buoyancy aids) must be worn by all those on or in the water.
Fair Winds!
LOCH BROOM SAILING CLUB
We may appear to be among the most laid back sailing clubs in the
country, which doesn't mean that we take safety lightly; far from it: you soon
get bitten, sailing up here, but we rely on commonsense and the expertise of
members, rather than an over reliance on certificates.
We have a number of members who have qualified as safety boat drivers,
and coaches at various levels, and some of the older ones also have
qualifications ranging from level 2 powerboat to Yachtmaster. RIB drivers must
have level 2 Powerboat, minimum.
But self reliance rather than certification is a strong tradition in the
Highlands, both afloat and ashore.
Nevertheless we are constantly debating our approach to safety, anxious
however not to spoil the ethos of a club that prides itself on being not only
laid back but responsible.
Members and other users of our facilities must take responsibilityfor
their own safety both afloat and ashore. The club will do its best to provide
on-water safety cover, but that does not alter individual responsibility. The
safety boat is not always deployed for races, which puts the onus on fellow
racers to assist if another boat is in trouble. Acceptance of this policy is a
condition of going afloat.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
As a club member or visitor, you have a duty to both yourself and to
other club users as regards safety. This duty means acting responsibly whilst
on club premises, including in the use of the boat park andin the supervision
of your children.
You can improve your own on-water safety by adopting the following:
Take advice from an experienced sailor if in doubt about going afloat.
Less confident sailors should stay in an area where you can be easily seen and
quickly reached.
Do not sail in a boat or in weather conditions that are beyond your
competence.
In short: respect the weather conditions, which can change rapidly, and
the advice of those who know the loch from many years’ experience of its moods.
But above all, enjoy your sailing, within your personal limits.
FACILITIES
Picnic Tables and Barbecue: The club has two substantial picnic
tables in front of the clubhouse and a basic barbecue. These are used for
social events and are available for use on an ad-hoc basis.
Club Room and Kitchen: The Clubhouse has a main meeting room
and kitchen which is equipped with a kettle and microwave.
Noticeboard:
Events and matters of interest are posted on the noticeboard on a regular
basis.
Access to the Clubhouse: A key can be obtained from the treasurer
for a small fee. Keys are controlled and should be kept secure and returned in
the event of membership being discontinued.
Whilst
the Club does not have a formal non-smoking policy, it is requested that those
members who do smoke take the wishes others into consideration at Social events
and meetings in the Clubhouse.
In
recent months the club has been given a much-needed makeover, and a changing
room made from the old storage room.
Improvements
are ongoing, and now include a new galley bar.
The
club room is available for a modest hire fee for functions and barbecues. Its
aspect, overlooking the harbour, is one of the best in the village.
General Information
Navigational Points Click here for a map of
the village
See the Ullapool Harbour web site here
Moorings
There are eight moorings at around £15 per night payable to the Harbour
Assistants any time day or night. To get in touch the boats should either use
the VHF channel14 or 16 or telephone 01854 612091 (24hrs). The harbour is
trying to keep the outer steps clear so yachts can come alongside for water and
stores etc.
If visitors wish to come to the pier they should use the same contact
arrangements.
CONTACTS
Where are we? Follow this link for a map. The Wee Pier and
Clubhouse are at the junction of Mill Street, Garve Road and Shore Street.
Loch Broom Sailing Club, The Clubhouse, Garve Road, Ullapool, Ross-shire
Loch Broom Sailing Club, The Clubhouse, Garve Road, Ullapool, Ross-shire
Harbourmaster
Mr Kevin Peach - 01854 612091
Banks
Royal Bank of Scotland, Argyle Street, 01854 612112
Bank of Scotland, West Argyle Street, 01854 612693
Doctor
Ullapool Medical Practice 01854 612015 (night and day)
Swimming Pool
Lovely indoor 25m pool Quay Street 01854 612884
Public Toilets
At the rear of the ferry car park on West Argyll Street
Fuel
Marine diesel is available at Ullapool Pier. Contact Harbour Office for
details 01854 612091.
There is a petrol station on the Garve Road just by the Wee Pier
Groceries
Tesco Latheron Lane, Ullapool. Open 0800 - 2100 Mon - Sat and 0900 -
1800 Sunday