Top Tips for Members & Visitors

Ullswater Yacht Club

Members' Useful Information & Top Tips

Welcome to Ullswater Yacht Club (UYC)

UYC is run by members for members, supported by staff and volunteers.
Please help keep the Club safe, welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.

Our Club Ethos

• Enjoy sailing and the Club responsibly
• Be kind, fair and respectful
• Treat Club facilities and equipment with care
• Put away anything you use
• Follow Club rules, policies and byelaws
• Respect the site, the lake and other members

Volunteering is a key part of Club life and helps keep the Club running smoothly and costs down.
Together We Are UYC

First Points of Contact

Club Staff

• Jack Allan General Manager
• Josh Barre Senior Sailing Instructor

External Support

• Hannah Webster Sailing Administrator
• Jackie Featherstone Grounds & Maintenance
• Kate Sargeant Clubhouse Cleaning

Further information about Club officers and contacts can be found on the UYC website.
Club contact number: 01768 807450

Safety First

Your safety and the safety of others is paramount.
Please:

• Act responsibly at all times
• Stay aware of boats, vehicles and launching activity
• Take care around jetties, slipways and launching areas
• Remember safety boat cover is provided only during organised sailing and certain Club activities

Swimming close to the shore is safer than swimming out to the buoys.
Leisure sailors and cruiser sailors should remember that the lake is open at all times, but Club safety cover is not.
Cruiser sailors are recommended to carry suitable onboard safety equipment.

Children & Young People

• Children under 16 must be supervised by a responsible adult
• Children should wear buoyancy aids or lifejackets near the water and on jetties
• The area between the two jetties is the preferred area for swimming and water play
• Avoid swimming when boats are launching or recovering
• Safeguarding concerns should be raised with the Club Welfare Officer

Young sailors launching small dinghies should use the lawn in front of the clubhouse, where experienced members are often nearby to help.

Sailing, Racing & Training

UYC offers sailing for all abilities, from leisure sailing to racing and formal training.
Main season: mid-March to end of October
Additional Sunday winter racing: November and December

Activities include:

• Weekend racing
• Wednesday evening racing
• Friday sailing activities
• Junior racing and development
• Cruiser racing including POETS
• National open events including the Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy
• Training through Ullswater Sailing School

Friendly opportunities for less experienced members include:

• Coached Saturdays
• Start to Race
• Ladies Who Launch
• Blokes in Boats

Members are welcome to sail at other times, but safety cover may not be available.

Youth Sailing & Sail Camp

UYC provides a strong junior sailing programme, with fun, development and safe supervised sailing at its heart.
Opportunities include:

• Junior sailing activities during the season
• RYA youth training stages
• Junior race coaching
• Sail Camp during the summer holidays

Sail Camp is a long-standing UYC tradition for young sailors aged approximately 8 to 14 and depends heavily on parent and volunteer support.

Cuisers, Leisure Sailing & Moorings

• Moorings are available for eligible boats, subject to availability
• Club cruiser size is restricted to not more than 25ft 6in overall
• Allocation depends on suitability and availability
• Additional moorings may be available through Dalemain Estates
• A buddy system and coaching help new cruiser sailors
• Members may use the lake for cruising and leisure sailing throughout the season

A UYC Cruising Guide is available on the website and in Members Documents.
Cruiser launching and recovery is managed under Club arrangements and policies.
Contact the Cruiser Class Captain for details.

Clubhouse & Changing Rooms

Please help keep facilities pleasant for everyone.

• Considerate when entering the clubhouse in wet gear
• Keep changing rooms tidy and do not leave kit on the floor
• Use showers efficiently during busy periods
• Changing rooms are not play areas

At quieter times, access to the clubhouse may require your fob.

Bar & Galley

Opening times are published in the Club newsletter.

Galley

• Snacks, sweets, ice cream and hot food available when open
• Hot water available for tea and coffee on an honesty basis
• Children must be supervised when using hot water

Bar
The bar operates under licensing laws and Club rules.

• Children under 14 cannot remain in the bar during the evening
• Alcohol consumed on site must be purchased from the Club bar
• No alcohol may be brought onto Club premises by members or guests

Legal responsibilities:

• No alcohol may be served to anyone under 18
• No alcohol may be served or consumed outside licensed hours

For further details please see the licensing rules displayed in the bar area.
Please return used glasses and plates to the bar after use.

Social Events & Club Life

UYC has an active social side throughout the season, including meals, barbecues, talks, entertainment, training events and family activities.
Holiday Week is a popular summer highlight, combining sailing, coaching, racing and family fun on and off the water.
Please check the Club newsletter, Facebook, calendar and website for details.

Camping & Overnight Stays

UYC campsite is a quiet family site.

• No noise after 10pm
• No generators after 7pm, preferably not at all
• Tents and campervans should be 3m apart
• Tent camping is free for members
• Campervans are permitted only on approved dates and within planning limits
• Visiting campervans are not always permitted
• Caravans are not allowed
• An Elsan point is located at the back of the car park

The Birkett Field is used on approved dates (see Member Portal) and is subject to strict planning restrictions.

BBQs & Fire Safety

A brick-built barbecue is available for members near the cruiser slip.

• Provide your own fuel
• BBQs must be used with care
• Never leave unattended
• No open fires or fire pits anywhere on site

Dogs

Dogs are welcome but must be controlled.

• Dogs must be on a lead around the site
• Not allowed inside the clubhouse
• Not allowed on the front launching lawn
• Owners must clean up after their dogs

Outdoor Areas, Site Use & Facilities

The lawn in front of the clubhouse is for:

• Rigging
• Launching
• Picnicking
• Relaxing and enjoying the view

Ball games should be played elsewhere on the site.
Please also remember:

• Close the gate to the site at all times
• Tie boats down securely in the dinghy park, which is a windy area
• Be considerate in your use of the jetties, especially on race days

Smoking & Vaping

Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside any Club building.
Please smoke or vape outside only and dispose of waste responsibly.

Wi-Fi

Network: UllswaterYC
Password: Ullswater1958

Please avoid large downloads during busy events.

Drones

Drone pilots must ensure they have:

• Required licences
• Appropriate insurance
• Permission to fly in the airspace

Please respect privacy and the peaceful nature of the area.

Visitors

Members may bring visitors to the Club.

• Visitors must be signed in
• The member is responsible for their visitor
• Visitors must follow Club rules and byelaws
• Visitor fees and visit limits apply where relevant

See further information and pricing via 'visitor fees' on www.ullswateryachtclub.org

Communication & Club Information

The main ways to keep up to date are:

• The UYC website
• The regular Club newsletter
• Official member emails
• Official Facebook Page

However these are Two existing Facebook groups - UYC Members and UYC Members & Friends are active as informal discussion spaces but these are not official club communications.
Key Club documents, policies and member information are available through the Members Portal on the website.

Duties, Volunteering & Participation

Volunteering is part of the Spirit of UYC.
Members are encouraged, and in many cases expected, to support the sailing programme and Club activities through duties and volunteering.

• Duty roles help the Club run safely and efficiently
• Training and support are available
• Members can volunteer and manage duties through the website portal
• Duty reminders are sent automatically by email

Doing a duty is a good way to meet people, learn more about the Club and support fellow members. The Club also benefits from regular volunteer groups, including those who help maintain the clubhouse and grounds.

Respect the Environment

UYC is located within the Lake District National Park.
Please:

• Respect planning restrictions
• Dispose of waste properly
• Keep noise to a minimum
• Help protect this special environment
• Respect the tranquillity, privacy and natural beauty of Ullswater

Many Club rules exist because of planning, environmental and safety responsibilities.

More Information

For further information including:

• Club policies and bylaws
• Sailing programmes
• Events and training
• Duty roster
• Members documents

Visit the Ullswater Yacht Club website www.ullswateryachtclub.org.

Together We Are UYC
Enjoy your sailing and your Club.

Last updated 12:19 on 28 March 2026