The Redhouse Yacht Club (RYC), which is amongst the oldest yacht clubs in South Africa, hosts dinghy races and operates a training program that has produced international champion sailors.
Located on the Swartkops river just outside of Port Elizabeth, in what can best be described as the village or Redhouse, RYC is very much a community sailing club.
The club has a traditional club feel and it certainly maintains some unique habits, probably formed 100 years ago. Top of the list of these has to be the serving of tea and cake between races during regular Sunday afternoon club racing. In fact it seems that there is a meal and drinks break between every race that takes place at RYC.
The Club welcomes visitors and is endorsed as one of the regional attractions by the Eastern Cape Tourism Board.
Activities
The Club primarily caters to dinghy sailors, sponsors a major dinghy training and racing program, is an affiliate of the South African Sailing Academy and is a member of the International Sailing Federation as well as part of South African Sailing Organization.
The climate around Algoa Bay allows for year round sailing and river sailing provides a more sheltered environment for smaller craft. There are usually about two races per week throughout the year with periodic larger events including national regattas. During its evolution the Club has featured large fleets of diverse dinghies with the predominant race fleets presently consisting of Lasers, Mirrors, and Optimists.
The Club hosts the annual Eastern Cape inter-schools sailing championship and the 32nd event was held in 2008 It also sponsored the annual Redhouse River Mile swimming race, which grew from 48 participants in 1924 to nearly 1,000 men and women by 2003.
Senior Sailing
Redhouse Yacht Club has enjoyed a recent resurgence in interest from more senior sailors. The Club now usually boasts at least three fleets in each of the regular club races.
The senior sailing squad consists of a broad range of sailors ranging in age from late teens to a couple over 70 years of age. The comrade between members, that is distinctively unique to Redhouse Yacht Club, is frequently witnessed both on and off the water when the 'old salts' eagerly share their knowledge and assist those members less experienced.
Junior Sailing
The Redhouse Yacht Club junior squad is one the fastest growing and most enthusiastic sporting groups in Port Elizabeth enjoying sailing school every Sunday morning followed by Club racing.
The sailing school at Redhouse is well established and concentrates on practical sailing rather than the academics of the sport. The Club owns a fleet of Optimist training yachts that sailing school members are able to use for a complete season before being required to obtain their own craft.
Sailing School
A sailing school is held every Sunday morning from 10h00 for both junior and adult members during the sailing season. Tuition for club members is free while non-members are asked to contribute R30 per lesson.
Membership
Membership of the Club is open to all and new members are warmly welcomed. Prospective members are invited to enjoy use of the Club facilities and partake in Club events for as long as four weeks prior to being required to join the club.
Membership Fees
Being firmly established and free of the major financial commitments associated with younger clubs Redhouse Yacht Club is able to offer members extremely reasonable membership subscription fees. The current membership fees for both new and existing members are may be viewed by clicking here.
Sailing Pensioner and Ordinary Pensioner Members are entitled to a 50% reduction in Annual Subscriptions upon application to the Committee. Associated Members do not qualify for a discount.
Redhouse Yacht Club does not charge new members a joining / application fee.
Prospective members are required to apply in writing on the prescribed form. New members need not be nominated by an existing member but are required to introduce themselves to the committee.
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REDHOUSE YACHT CLUB CONSTITUTION
As amended by the Annual General Meeting held on 15th July 2007
1. Title:
The name of the Club shall be the Redhouse Yacht Club.
2. Objects:
The primary object of the Club shall be to promote and control yacht racing on the upper waters of the Zwartkops River above the bridges and also to provide for any other aspects of yachting appropriate to these waters, and the social and cultural interests and activities of its members.
3. Headquarters:
The Headquarters of the Club shall be at Redhouse.
4. Club flag:
The Burgee of the Club shall be a Blue Triangular Flag with a Red Border and a White Five Pointed Star in the centre.
5. Membership:
The membership shall be unrestricted as to number and unless otherwise decided by the Committee shall consist of:
a. Sailing Members.
b. Hon. Life Members who shall have the fall privileges of Sailing Members.
c. Ordinary Members who shall be non-sailing members who make regular use of the Club facilities and who are accepted as being within the same family unit as a sailing member.
d. Junior Sailing Members shall be members who sail and who are not yet 18 years of age. Such member shall be entitled to transfer to student sailing membership without payment of a further entrance fee, provided that application is made in writing to the Committee before the member's 18th birthday.
e. Student Sailing Members shall be members who sail and who are over the age of 18 but not over the age of 21 years, in the case of bona fide students, 25 years. Such members shall be entitled to transfer to full sailing membership without payment of a further entrance fee, provided that application is made in writing to the Committee before the member’s 21st or 25th birthday, as appropriate.
f. Associate Members shall be members who have been members in any of the other classes of membership and who through change of circumstances either live outside the immediate environs of Port Elizabeth or who do not visit the Club more often than once per season.
g. Pensioner members shall be members belonging to one of the above categories of membership and accepted by the committee as being retired from gainful employment; they annual subscription is shall be discounted as detailed in the byelaws from time to time.
The category of membership shall be at the discretion of the Committee. A list of all members shall be kept by the Secretary. No person other than Sailing Members who are in good standing and Hon. Life Members shall have any voting power in the Club, except as hereinafter provided for in clause 10-1(g).
6. Election of Members:
a. All candidates for membership must be proposed by Sailing Members of not less than two years standing and seconded by a Sailing Member.
b. Applications for membership must be made to the Hon. Secretary on an Application for Membership Form, indicating the type of Membership required and must be accompanied by the relevant fees.
c. Election of Members shall be at the discretion of the Committee.
7. Subscriptions and Entrance Fees:
a. Subscriptions and Entrance fees payable by members shall be determined at a General Meeting.
b. All subscriptions shall be payable before the 15th of September in each year and members, whose subscriptions are not paid by the 15th of September in any year, shall have their names posted on the Club Notice Board, and if their subscriptions shall still be in arrears, by the 31st of October, they shall be liable to expulsion by the Committee.
8. Resignations:
a. Resignations must be made in writing to the Hon. Secretary and any member resigning shall be liable for his or her subscriptions for the financial year during which such resignation is received.
b. Members who have resigned and wish to be re-elected shall be subject to the conditions of Clause 6 of this constitution.
9. Management:
The affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee consisting of:
The Commodore;
Vice Commodore;
Handicapper;
Hon. Secretary;
Hon. Treasurer;
and four additional Members.
All these shall be elected annually and only Sailing, Honorary Life Members and Ordinary members shall be eligible for election to the Committee. The retiring Commodore shall automatically become an additional member of the Committee for the first year after his term of office.
10-1 Powers of the Committee:
The Committee shall have power to:
a. Perform any act which may be necessary or desirable for the purpose of carrying out the objects of the Club.
b. Make, vary and repeal regulations and bye-laws for carrying out the provisions of the Constitution and the objects of the Club or regulating the use of any part of the Club premises, and laying down any charge for such used, a copy of such bye-laws to be kept posted on the Club Notice Board, at all times.
c. Maintain and repair the Club premises, furniture and its equipment and make such renewals from time to time as may be necessary.
d. Appoint officers to sign all legal documents on behalf of the Club.
e. Enter into contracts by and on behalf of the Club, providing that the cost involved does not exceed the present normal annual income.
f. To institute or defend legal proceedings by or against the Club.
g. To appoint or dissolve sub-committees for administering specific aspects of Club affairs. All classes of member shall be eligible for appointment to such Committees and shall have the power to vote on the business for which sub- Committees have been appointed.
10-2 Restrictions on the Committee:
The Committee notwithstanding 10-1 shall only with the sanction of any Annual General Meeting or any Special General Meeting of Members of the Club have the following further powers:
a. To purchase and/or otherwise acquire landed property and also to sell and/or otherwise deal with such landed property.
b. To borrow money for the purchase of landed or other property and/or for any other purpose and to hypothecate the landed and / or other property of the Club.
11. Vacancies:
The Committee may appoint eligible members to fill any vacancies which may occur in its numbers doing any financial year.
12. Financial Year:
This shall be from first of May to end of April.
13. Meetings:
a. An annual General Meeting shall be held during June of each year and the Committee’s Report and Financial Statement for the past year shall be presented as such meeting.
b. A special General Meeting shall be called by the Hon. Secretary within 30 days of receipt of written requisition being received from either the Committee or not less than 10 voting members. The notice given to members to convene this meeting shall state the business for which it is called and the discussions and resolutions or amendments shall be confined within the scope of such notice.
c. Notice of meetings: not less than 14 days notice in writing shall be given to members of any Special General Meeting and not less than three days for any Committee meeting.
d. Notices of Motion shall be called for not less than twenty-one days prior to an Annual General Meeting and motions must be in the hands of the Secretary fourteen days before the Annual General Meeting.
14. Quorum:
At any General Meeting 15 and at any Committee meeting, five members with voting power form a quorum.
15. Expulsion:
If any member be found by the Committee to have been guilty in the opinion of the Committee of improper conduct it may expel such member from the Club and membership privileges together with all rights in connection with or claims upon the Club, or its property, shall thereupon be forfeited by the member so expelled. Such decision shall be by two thirds majority of the Committee.
16. Auditor:
The Committee shall appoint a Hon. Auditor to check the accounts and balance sheet each year. The Auditor shall not be a member of the Committee.
17. Amendments: Amendments or additions to this constitution may only be made at a General Meeting and then only by a notice of motion in writing given to all members, not less than seven days before such General Meeting.
18. Yacht Register:
The Handicapper shall keep a register of all Yachts belonging to members of the Club. Owners must furnish him with the following particulars, as soon as they acquire a yacht:
Name of Yacht;
Class;
Sail number.
Owners must advise the Handicapper when disposing of their yachts or changing the names thereof.
19. Competitors membership qualifications:
Except as hereinafter provided and subject to any special rules laid down for any particular trophy, the helmsman and crew of all competing yachts must be Sailing, Student Sailing or Junior Sailing Members of the Redhouse Yacht Club. Visitors may compete in the race at the discretion of the Committee but only Redhouse Yacht Club members may compete for Club Trophies.
20. Dissolution of the Club: The dissolution of the club shall require a 75% majority vote at a Special General Meeting of the Club. The assets of the club shall be placed in the care of the Redhouse Yacht Club Trust.
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REDHOUSE YACHT CLUB BYE-LAWS
These Bye-laws are issued by the Committee in terms of the Constitution in order to facilitate the smooth operation of the Club facilities to the overall benefit of the members. They will also assist new members to become aware of the conventions, which have arisen over the course of time. They are subject to change from time to time by order of the Committee and such changes will be posted on the notice board. Updated Bye-laws will be circulated to members annually.
1. General Obligations
1.1 All members assist in the maintenance of the Club premises through work parties etc.
1.2 All sailing members will act as duty officers from time to time during the sailing season.
1.3 All sailing families assist with the serving of tea and the provision of refreshments from time to time during the sailing season.
1.4 Visitors may be introduced to the Club for a period not exceeding six weeks, after which they shall be expected to apply for membership.
1.5 Sailing visitors must be introduced to the Sailing Committee and will be expected to pay a race fee of
R 5.00 per race.
2. Operation of the Clubhouse
2.1 The kitchen is out of bounds to all members other than ladies on tea duty and Committee members.
2.2 The bridge is out of bounds during race periods to all members except the bridge crews and Committee members.
2.3 All sailing members are entitled to a key to the main boat sheds (for access to the hose pipes). Only Committee members and those with special duties shall have keys to the main Clubhouse.
2.4 Subject to the approval of the Committee, the Clubhouse may be hired for functions at the rate set out in the Schedule of Fees. The Hirer is responsible for all damage and breakage’s and for cleaning up after the function. He is also responsible for locking up and the correct setting of the burglar alarm.
2.5 The upstairs Committee / Lounge area is out of bounds to all wet sailors and swimmers. No dogs are allowed in this area
3. Operation of the Boatsheds
Boatsheds are allocated only to regular sailing members as they become available upon written application to the Secretary. The following conditions of occupation apply :
3.1 The Redhouse Yacht Club accepts no responsibility for damage to or loss of boats or equipment stored in the Club boatsheds as a result of floods, theft or any other cause. Members’ boats etc are not covered by Club Insurance.
3.2 Boats may only be parked in the bay you are allocated.
3.3 Individual sheds : Each occupant must ensure that his boatshed doors are left locked, as the security of these sheds is dependant on all doors being kept locked. Only approved padlocks may be used.
3.4 As there is a great risk of damage to the doors and hinges from being blown by the wind, occupants must always hook their doors open when taking their boats in and out and then close the doors. Doors must not be left standing open while sailing.
3.5 Each occupant shall be responsible for keeping his bay in a good state of repair, especially the doors. Maintenance that the Committee deems necessary for the boatshed structure will be recovered by means of a maintenance levy.
3.6 Alterations by a member to any bay may only be made with the approval of the Committee.
3.7 It is the responsibility of members to ensure that hose pipes are not left outside after sailing.
3.8 Any member selling his boat will not be allowed to sub-let his space. This will be done by the Club Committee.
3.9 Boatsheds are intended for members who sail regularly. If the Committee considers that a member is not making proper use of his boatshed space, or is only using it as a storage space, they may re-allocate his boatshed space in favour of an active member on the waiting list.
3.10 A rental fee will be levied in advance for the use of a boatshed space. Renewal rental fees shall be paid out not later than the date of the official opening of the season.
4. Club Equipment
4.1 Any person wishing to use Club boats may only do so with the express permission of the Chairman of Junior Sailing or the Commodore.
4.2 Any person using one of the Club’s boats is solely responsible for repair or replacement of any loss or damage.
4.3 The Club’s boats may only be used under adult supervision and at the borrower’s sole risk.
4.4 The Club’s rescue boats and outboard motors may only be operated by a Committee member or person on duty authorized by the Committee.
4.5 Any person operating, travelling on or accepting assistance from a rescue boat does so at their own risk.
4.6 Members using any club equipment are responsible for its proper and orderly replacement into its correct storage place.
5. Club Grounds
5.1 Parking of motorcars is only allowed in designated areas.
5.2 All motorcars brought into the grounds for the purpose of loading and off-loading shall immediately afterwards be removed to a designated parking area.
5.3 Camping and caravan parking is allowed in the club grounds subject to prior arrangement with the Committee at the rate set out in the Schedule of Fees.
5.4 Campers are allowed to use the men’s change rooms but are not allowed to use the Clubhouse, except at regattas. Campers may use the braai places at any time.
5.5 Boats may be parked in the Club grounds by prior arrangement with the Chairman of House & Grounds.
6. Multi-Tired Optimist Trailer
Space on this trailer may be hired for the transport of any Optimist to an official away regatta. Boat owners are responsible for the securing of boats which are transported at the sole risk of the said owner. Hire rates shall be as set out in the Schedule of Fees.
7. Liability
All persons using the facilities of the Club and all competitors who sail do so entirely at their own risk. The Redhouse Yacht
Club and the persons concerned in the running of any race or events on this program or otherwise are hereby expressly excluded from any liability whatsoever for damage to property or personal injury sustained during racing or at any other time.
8. Discipline
If, in the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee, a Member has committed a wilful breach of rules or any Clause of any Agreement into which the Commodore has entered with any local or Government Authority, or Third party, on the Club’s behalf, or is guilty of any conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Club, whether within or outside the Club precincts, the Committee may, at it’s discretion:
• expel such Member, or,
• call upon such Member to resign and if he / she fails to resign, expel such Member, or,
• deprive such Member of the rights and privileges of membership for any time or period.
No disciplinary action shall be taken before the Member shall have been given an opportunity to appear before the Disciplinary Committee to explain his / her conduct. The decision of the Disciplinary Committee in each case shall be subject to appeal by the Member concerned to the Club Committee. The penalty imposed would be subject to ratification by a two-thirds majority of the Club Committee.
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SCHEDULE OF SUBSCRIPTIONS AND FEES
Membership Fees
Being firmly established and free of the major financial commitments associated with younger clubs Redhouse Yacht Club is able to offer members extremely reasonable membership subscription fees.
The 2009/09 annual membership and seasonal fee structure inclusive of the SAS (SA Sailing) annual levy of Redhouse Yacht club is determined as follows:-
Category |
Fee Per Season |
Membership Category Definition |
Senior Sailing |
R742.00 |
A member who has completed school / university who participates in the sailing activity of the Club be it as a skipper or crew member of any craft.
|
Student Sailing |
R318.00 |
A member who is attending school or university who participates in the sailing activity of the Club be it as a skipper or crew member of any craft other than as a member of the novice fleet.
|
Junior Sailing |
R216.00 |
A member who is attending school and who sails as part of the novice fleet.
|
Ordinary Member |
R371.00 |
Any member who does not sail but who wishes to belong to the Club (ie: be a social member).
|
Associated Member |
R165.00 |
A member who is from out of town and who will visit the Club less than six times per year (ie: a country member).
|
Family Limit |
R1,234.00 |
The maximum combined membership fee payable by a single family unit.
|
Youth Group |
R1,784.00 |
A group (eg: scouts, sea cadets) who wish to make occasional use of Club facilities for organised group activity.
|
Sailing Pensioner and Ordinary Pensioner Members are entitled to a 50% reduction in Annual Subscriptions upon application to the Committee. Associated Members do not qualify for a discount.
Prospective members are required to apply in writing on the prescribed form. New members need not be nominated by an existing member but are required to introduce themselves to the committee.
OTHER CHARGES GOVERNED BY
THE CLUB’S BYE-LAWS
