Membership Policies & Bylaws

The following rules are for your own safety, please abide by them:

Albacore & Laser

Helms (White sail III or certified by a WSC examiner)

• Winds 10 knots or less

• Stay within the Outer Harbour and the eastern gap (two red buoys marking the entrance to the gap).

Skippers (Bronze sail or certified by a WSC examiner)

• Winds at the discretion of the skipper

• Stay within sight of land

• If winds are above 22 knots and skippers are sailing outside the harbour, then: skippers shall be accompanied by another skippered “buddy boat” who is within hailing distance at all times, or skippers shall carry a VHF handheld waterproof marine radio with waterproof GPS, or skippers shall carry a personal locator beacon with integrated GPS.

Catamaran

Catamaran Helms (as certified by a WSC examiner)

• Winds 15 knots or less

• Stay within the Outer Harbour and the eastern gap (two red buoys marking the entrance to the gap)

Catamaran Skippers (as certified by a WSC examiner)

• Winds at the discretion of the skipper

• Stay within sight of land

• If winds are above 22 knots and skippers are sailing outside the harbour, then: skippers shall be accompanied by another skippered “buddy boat” who is within hailing distance at all times, or skippers shall carry a VHF handheld waterproof marine radio with waterproof GPS, or skippers shall carry a personal locator beacon with integrated GPS.

All Sailors

• Sign out when going sailing with the names of the sailors, time range and your approximate sailing area (OH=Outer Harbour, IH=Inner Harbour, Lake=south of the Islands. Note sailors with CS2/Helm status are limited to sailing in the OH and may not go to the IH or Lake without a Westwood CS3/Skipper status sailor on board.

• Sign in when returning from sailing.

• Do you know the wind strength?

• Do you know the weather forecast?

• Are you competent to handle the conditions? (be honest with yourself)

• Are you prepared to stay in the water for some time? What is the water temperature?

• Life jackets should be worn all times.

• Steer well clear of large ships, ferries and rowing shells at all times.

• See the Westwood membership handbook for more detailed safety suggestions

This Code of Conduct aims to encourage a safe and enjoyable environment for all club members and guests and protect the Club’s reputation in the community. Members should report any behaviour that breaches the Code of Conduct to the Commodore or Vice-Commodore. Breach of the Code of Conduct may result in suspension or revocation of your Westwood membership.

Members of Westwood will:

Respect the dignity and rights of all club members, guests, and visitors.

• Written, oral, or physical behaviour constituting harassment or abuse will not be tolerated. Discriminatory practices, such as

• those based on race, religion, gender, ethnic background, special ability/disability, or sexual orientation, preference, or identity

• will not be tolerated. Use of mobile phones or video and other recoding equipment is prohibited in and around the women’s and

• men’s change rooms.

Respect club property and contribute to the maintenance and upkeep of Westwood’s property and facilities.

• Westwood property, including the club house, will be treated it with care, ensuring it is appropriately stored, cleaned, and tidied after use, and left in a condition suitable for others. Damage will be reported to the Board of Directors.

Be responsible for their guests.

• Guests are not permitted to be unaccompanied while at Westwood and are expected to comply with Westwood’s policies.

Not participate in any illegal activity while on Westwood property.

• This applies to all of federal, provincial, and municipal laws, and includes possession, consumption, or supply of any illegal substances; the supply of alcohol or tobacco to minors; stealing or destruction of property of any kind; conduct of a gross, obscene or loud nature; carrying weapons of any kind, concealed or otherwise; and impaired boating.

Demonstrate good sporting and community behaviour at all times while racing and while ashore.

• Members are expected to learn the rules of sailing and abide by them. Abusive language and/or action against another participant is unacceptable.

• Those involved in disruptive conversation, deliberate causing of excessive noise, gratuitous use of profanity, or other disruptive conduct that constitutes a nuisance to other individuals, including while using a personal mobile phone, may be asked to leave Westwood grounds.

Sail safely at all times and abide by all Westwood policies.

These policies are for the benefit of all members and address a variety of issues, such as community relations, safety, sporting behavior, and administration. Violations of these policies will be investigated and disciplinary measures (including suspension or revocation of membership) may be applied.

Help members and other sailors when necessary, on and off the water.

This Policy provides guidelines and direction to Westwood members and sailing instructors on power boat usage. Members are expected to report any behaviour that does not adhere to this Policy to the Board of Directors. Disregarding this Policy may result in suspension or termination of your Westwood membership.

Only Westwood members in good standing or current Westwood sailing instructors may use the Westwood power boats, subject to the purpose of use described below and unless prior approval is given by the Board of Directors.

All use of the power boats is subject to the following conditions:

• Operator of power boat must have Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card (PCOC) and Powered Vessel Operator’s Permit (PVOP aka Harbour Licence), except that any member who is a competent power boat operator may use a power boat for rescue/distress situations if no qualified member is available

• Operator of power boat must follow Transport Canada marine safety guidelines with respect to equipment required to be carried on the vessel and is responsible for all passengers on the vessel.

• Operator of power boat must operate the boat in a seamanlike manner, without recklessness and without being under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs, or drugs which may affect judgment or abilities.

• Operator of power boat must ensure anyone using a radio to transmit holds a Restricted Radio Operator’s Certificate – Marine ROC(M), except for rescue/distress situations. No license is required to monitor stations.

• Operator of power boats has learned, from an experienced Westwood member, the proper techniques for operating the boats and for securing boats to the dock.

Purpose of use:

• coaching during sailing instruction for Westwood group sailing classes.

• race committee or safety boat for Westwood hosted races, or as Westwood-approved supplemental safety boat for other racing events.

• rescue of a person or vessel in the water that is in distress and requires assistance. 

General

As with other classes of boats at Westwood, catamaran sailors must hold the appropriate status to be permitted to sail the Hobie 16, Hobie Getaway, or Nacra 500 in the forecast and actual weather conditions. The policy for the Hobie Wave is the same as for the Laser and Albacore.

Granting of Status

There is no catamaran-specific course under the Sail Canada syllabus. In any case, sailing of Westwood’s boats is governed by Westwood. Through long practice and formal policy, Westwood has determined that the preferred method of ensuring safe use of its boats is by establishing a tiered status level, similar to the graduated licensing of drivers. As with other boats, there are three tiers: “Cat Crew”, “Cat Helm”, and “Cat Skipper”. Cat Crew is the status held by any member who does not have status as either a Cat Helm or Cat Skipper, or by any guest (regardless of their actual skill).

Granting of Cat Helm or Cat Skipper status is by the Board of Directors based on the recommendation of Examiners appointed by it (see: Examiners Policy). Cat Helm status may be granted based on the recommendation of a single Examiner; Cat Skipper status requires the recommendation of two Examiners. Cat Helm status (but not Cat Skipper status) may also be recommended by the course instructor for any student who has successfully completed Westwood’s catamaran-specific course (if and when offered). In any case, recommendations must be based on the review of the member’s practical sailing skills and demonstrated attitude towards safe and competent sailing, based on the Examiner’s own experience and knowledge, whether through an intensive exposure or over a period of multiple experiences.

Restrictions

When sailing Westwood’s catamarans, sailors are subject to the following restrictions:

Cat Crew

• Crew may only sail with a Cat Helm or Cat Skipper, as appropriate to the conditions. While the skipper of any boat is ultimately responsible for the boat and its crew, no one should sail in contravention of this policy or when they are uncomfortable with the conditions. Cat Crew should tell their boat skipper when they are injured, nervous, tired, cold, or wish to return to the dock.

Cat Helm

• Wind Speed as measured at the Toronto Island Airport must be under 15 knots.

• Gusting speeds above 18 knots are to be avoided.

• Sailing zone is limited to the Outer Harbour and the Inner Harbour. The Outer Harbour is limited by the straight line running from the western seawall of the Eastern Gap, through the red buoy located mid-way between the mainland and the Leslie Spit, to the northern shore of the Leslie Spit.

Cat Skipper

• Wind speed is at the reasonable discretion of the Cat Skipper, keeping in mind their – and their crew’s – experience, skills, and current mental and physical condition.

• The Skipper must not sail without being able to see land (not including the CN Tower). Consider distance, wind/weather and changes, and boat condition and the potential for breakage. Have a back-up plan.

Sailing onto the lake beyond the Eastern Gap requires at least one of the following:

• a buddy boat with a Skipper aboard, which must remain within hailing distance at all times;

• waterproof handheld VHF Radio (and appropriate licence), with waterproof GPS; or

• personal locator beacon (PLB) with integrated GPS.

Qualifications

The Board of Directors will grant status on the catamarans after receiving the recommendations of the Examiner(s) based on the following qualifications:

Cat Crew

• No status granted.

• Crew must be forthright about their skills (or lack thereof) so that their Helm or Skipper can assess the overall capability to manage the boat as a team.

Cat Helm (assessment by a single Examiner, including by a Westwood Cat School instructor)

• Must have Skipper status on the Albacore.

• Cat School passed (or certified by an Examiner)

• Understands that a boat’s skipper is legally responsible for the well-being and safety of the crew.

• Understands that a boat’s skipper is responsible to provide a safe and enjoyable experience to the crew, and that the crew may have a different expectation of what is safe and enjoyable.

• Knows and demonstrates:

  • use of appropriate clothing and gear and ensures crew is dressed appropriately;

  • basic boat maintenance skills (plugs, drain, check for wear and tear);

  • rigging and de-rigging the applicable catamaran;

  • launching and docking;

  • tacking and gybing;

  • hull-flying;

  • capsize drills, including (when practical to demonstrate) from turtled position; and

  • single-handed crew overboard drill in up to 15 knots wind speed.

Cat Skipper (independent assessment by two Examiners)

• Hold, or be assessed as eligible to hold, Cat Helm status based on the criteria above.

• Can do all of the above in in greater than 18 knots wind speed, and in particular, can do a single-handed crew overboard drill in greater than 18 knots wind speed in various sea states.

• Can confidently double trap in greater than 18 knots wind speed in various sea states.

• Can beach the boat safely.

• Can sail under jib alone in greater than 18 knots wind speed in various sea states.

• Can assess the seaworthiness of the boat (gudgeons, shrouds, sheets, sails, and bolts) through a pre-sail safety inspection.

• Understands basic weather concepts like frontal passages.

• Has acquired enough experience with the local weather to properly judge the conditions.

• Can plan an outing according to weather conditions, including planning to allow for successful return to shore even with a fast-approaching weather system.

• Understands the difference between sailing with other boats on the harbours versus sailing on the open lake and the resulting increased risk of sailing on the open lake. Key points: much colder temperatures; waves; currents and potential offshore wind conditions which prevent a return to shore (e.g., if the main sail fails); exhaustion, dehydration, and hypothermia. Prepares for these eventualities.

• Assesses the skill-level of the boat’s crew, instructs the crew (e.g., on how to trapeze – especially without losing the hook) to prevent injury and crew overboard situations, and sails accordingly. Ensures crew is dressed appropriately. In particular, knows and is realistic about own limitations and acts accordingly.

• Demonstrates good situational awareness.

Cat Racing

Consult with the Boat Captain to ensure the boat is ready and available for racing.

Westwood does not pay for registrations or catamaran Class fees, mainly because (i) these are individual-based, not boat-based; and (ii) the club has a primary focus on teaching and racing Albacores through membership in the OHSF and CAA. In particular, no one may race an Albacore unless the boat is registered with CAA, and only boat owners can register boats.

Only Cat Skippers may sign out boats for off-site racing, as this requires de-rigging and trailering. Sign-out is in accordance with the applicable policy.

Other References

“Hobie University” – see http://hobieclass.com/hobie-tuning/ or look for a copy in the clubhouse (and please do not remove).

Forums: visit Hobie Forums • Index page which may have helpful information.

General Examiners are appointed by the Board of Directors for the purpose of evaluating members who are experienced sailors and prefer not to take the applicable courses. These evaluations will not result in award of any certification (e.g., under the CANSail program); a member may use Westwood’s boats in accordance with their evaluated status (i.e., Crew, Helm, or Skipper), as described in the club’s By-laws and Policies.

Albacore / Laser / Wave (Note: test must be performed on the Albacore)

Members may contact vicecommodore@westwoodsailing.ca if they wish to be evaluated for Helm status (CanSail 2 / WhiteSail3 equivalent) or Skipper status (CanSail 3 / BronzeSail 4 equivalent) on the Albacore, Laser, or Hobie Wave.

Evaluations will be based on the appropriate CANSail checklist. Checklists will be attached to this policy when developed.

Hobie 16 / Nacra 500 (Note: test must be performed on the Hobie 16)

Members may contact vicecommodore@westwoodsailing.ca if they wish to be evaluated for Helm or Skipper status on these larger catamarans. Members must be evaluated separately by two different Examiners for Skipper status.

This policy determines how Westwood’s Board of Directors will assign Boat Captain responsibilities (that is, how each boat will be assigned to a specific Boat Captain). To the extent that assignments cannot be determined through strict adherence to the following (for example, should there be no members eligible to be assigned a new boat), boats will be assigned as determined by the Board of Directors in the circumstances.

Eligibility

Any member may be a Boat Captain provided that they are a Skipper for the applicable class of boat. Members who are not qualified to be a Boat Captain are encouraged to assist Boat Captains, either by being an Assistant Boat Captain for a specific boat, or by assisting with boat maintenance at large. Any Boat Captain may have their assignment revoked by the Board of Directors (for example, due to failure to properly maintain their assigned boat).

Assignment Process

Boat Captains and their boat assignments will be determined at the beginning of each season (until announced, the previous season’s assignments will continue). This includes new boats expected to be delivered during the season.

New Boats (that is, unused or ‘like new’ boats which are new to Westwood)

Westwood’s new boats will be assigned first, likely in advance of their delivery dates. To be eligible to be assigned a new boat, a member must not have been assigned a new boat in the previous seven years. For example, anyone having been assigned a new boat after May 1, 2006 would be ineligible for assignment of a new boat to be delivered in the 2013-2104 season. Second, new boats will only be assigned to someone who has been a Boat Captain at Westwood for at least four of the previous five seasons (or part season, in the first season). For example, for a 2013 new boat, someone who was not a Boat Captain during a significant part of the 2008-2009 season and all of each following season (except that one season ‘off’ would be allowed) would be ineligible.

New Albacores will be assigned to the eligible member who placed highest in the previous season’s Friday Night Race series, unless the Board of Directors (in its discretion) determines that the next highest placing eligible member has made a significantly greater overall contribution to the club. If two new Albacores are being assigned, the Board of Directors may consider the contributions of the top three placing eligible members. Other types of new boats will be assigned based solely on the Board’s assessment of overall contribution to the club.

A member assigned a new boat will not continue to be the Boat Captain for their current boat (as it will be assigned as described below)* and is expected to assist the Boat Captain of their ‘old’ boat in the interim. New boats will be considered ‘unavailable’ until one week after their delivery (e.g., for the purpose of race draws).

Current Boats

Current boats will be assigned after the new boats.

Boat Captains will be re-assigned their currently-assigned boat unless, at the time the assignments are being determined, (i) they have been selected to receive a new boat, (ii) their boat has been selected for disposal or for assignment to the ‘student program fleet, or (iii) they indicate to the Fleet Captain that they wish to be assigned a different boat (which does not imply they will receive a specific boat).

Available current boats will be assigned in the following descending order of priority:

• Boat Captains whose boats have been selected for disposal, or for assignment to the ‘student program fleet’;

• Boat Captains who have requested assignment of a different boat*; and then

• Other eligible members who wish to be Boat Captains but are not currently assigned a boat.

Within each of these three priority levels, the order of priority for each assignment will be as follows:

• for Albacores, priority will be based on the previous season’s Friday Night Race results unless the Board of Directors (in its discretion) determines that the next highest placing eligible member has made a significantly greater overall contribution to the club; and

• for other types of boats, priority will be based on the Board’s assessment of overall contribution to the club.

Note

A Boat Captain who has been assigned a new boat will remain as Boat Captain of their old boat until it has been assigned a new Boat Captain. A Boat Captain who is assigned a different current boat is encouraged to assist the Boat Captain of their ‘old’ boat for the remainder of the season.

Westwood Sailing Club currently provides storage for kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility:
Owner must be a Full Member (including Life / Honorary members with Full member status) or Social Member. Maximum one boat per owner. No “flower pots”. If a member cannot demonstrate having used their canoe/kayak/SUP at least three times in the previous season, their spot for that boat will not be renewed. Application may be made to the executive for an exemption for a single season only (e.g., due to illness or repair).

In addition, a limited number of privately owned sailboats are currently stored on club property under previously approved arrangements.

At this time, the club is not accepting any new private sailboats for storage.

As a co-operative community club, Westwood’s primary purpose is to provide sailing opportunities to members who don’t own their own boats. This is done by allowing many members to share a few boats, which essentially mandates that the boats be used from the club facility. However, in some circumstances, the Board of Directors (BoD) may determine it is reasonable for Westwood to allow members to use a boat away from the club. This policy determines how the BoD will make decisions regarding use of a boat away from the club.

Eligibility

• Boat must be signed out by a Full Member (including Life and Honorary members with Full member status)

• Member signing out boat must have Skipper status for that class of boat

• Maximum one boat signed out per member at any time

Rules

• Just as when used at the club, non-members are not permitted to race

• Member must ensure car insurance covers towing of club boat

• Member is responsible for any damage to boat which is not covered by Westwood’s insurance policy (including reimbursement for any deductible payable by Westwood)

• Boat is not to be removed from Ontario unless specifically approved (e.g., a highly-regarded event such as the Mad Catter Regatta , or a national-level event)

• Approval will not be granted for use outside Canada and the contiguous United States, except in special circumstances where the impact on other members would be very limited

• Boats may be taken off-site only for racing or training; events must be recognized by a national class association - members are expected to follow rules limiting use (e.g., re wind speeds).

Factors & Priorities

• A club member may take a boat off-site a maximum of four (4) times per season

• The member signing out the boat is expected to be the skipper for the majority of use while signed out)

• If a class is scheduled, there must be a sufficient number of boats in working order for the class

• If a local regatta is scheduled, there must be a sufficient number of boats in working order for those planning to race

• Unless specifically approved as being necessary for (i) long-distance travel and/or (ii) event duration, Albacores and Lasers will not be removed prior to the end of the first Friday Night Race in the travel period

• A boat may not be taken off-site for more than the minimum time necessary for safe travel and event duration

Procedure

• A member wishing to take a boat off-site for use must submit their written request to the BoD at least fourteen (14) days in advance and must post a copy of their request on the bulletin board in the clubhouse.

• It must identify: member(s), boat type and number/name, event name, location and dates, travel times, and any other relevant information.

• The BoD may confirm boat availability with the Fleet Captain, Hobie Fleet Captain, Laser Fleet Captain, and/or Boat Captain(s).

• Requests will be reviewed and a decision made by the following members of the BoD, ideally but no less than seven (7) days after receiving the request: - Vice Commodore - Fleet Captain - Race Chair.

• If any one of the above is unavailable during the week after the request is received, then the Commodore will act in their place. The Commodore may appoint other BoD member(s) to act as alternate(s).

• The BoD’s decision will be posted on the bulletin board at the clubhouse.