Published Monday 2 Nov 2020

Dear Fellow Members,

With sadness I bring you details of how our Club will be operating during the four-week lockdown commencing on Thursday 5 November until Friday 4 December 2020.

Sunday 1 to Wednesday 4 November 2020.

In the light of the Prime Ministers announcement yesterday evening, we are hoping you can find the time to come and help drink the old clubhouse bar dry before lockdown on Thursday.

With the enforced closure of bars and restaurants until December and the imminent move to the new building, it seems almost certain that these few days will be your last ever opportunity to enjoy our current clubhouse before the shutters are closed forever.

Steward Natalie and her team will be opening from 12:00 to 22:00 from Sunday 1 to Wednesday 4 November when the final last orders will be called, marking the end of an era.

Food will be available and there may also be spot-discounts on lines that need to be sold off.

Obviously, we will maintain social distancing and other covid measures to ensure your safety, and should you wish to book a table you can call the bar on 01273 453 717 or email the steward using steward@sussexyachtclub.org.uk

We do hope everybody can find the time to toast our old clubhouse with a warm farewell.

Published Thu 24 Sep 2020

Dear Fellow Members,

It is with some sadness that I have to contact you with another one of these Coronavirus updates; I think we all hoped the country was moving slowly back to some form of normality and we were excitedly planning goodbye events for the old clubhouse, and welcome events for the new one, which we hope to move into during the autumn. 

May I ask that you read, digest and action where applicable the following guidance if you are using the clubhouse and bar/restaurant for the foreseeable future:

We are due to move into our new Clubhouse in the next few months.

There are a number of opportunities within the new building which may give Members the opportunity to pay tribute to loved ones who are no longer with us, or to leave a living legacy representing you/your family’s time a Sussex Yacht Club and contribute in a truly meaningful way to the building which we hope will be our home into the next century.

19:00 Thu 16 July 2020

Just a reminder that SYC Commodore Kevin Headon will be holding a Zoom video meeting session for members on Thursday 16 July at 19:00. 

Update VI Issued 10 July 2020

Dear all, Firstly, I must apologise on behalf of the Keelboat Section for what has been a flow of quite conflicting information recently.

Those of you who have been following this will know that we have been seeking ways of allowing crewed competitive sailing on keelboats to recommence. The tools we have been using for this exercise are, amongst other sources, advise from the RYA and the ever-changing guidance coming from central government on family and friends social interaction.

Update Issued 16 July 2020

Dear all,

There have been further developments in the short period of time since our last communication. In particular, as anticipated, some new guidance from the government on the reintroduction of team sports.

The department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has produced something called the return to Recreational Team Sport Framework, read for yourself;

Published Tue 30 June 2020

It is with great pleasure that I am writing to announce a return of water-based activities at SYC.

The last few months have been very tough for many people and businesses and my heart goes out to any of the SYC family who have been directly impacted by this horrific virus.

On the plus side, the sacrifices we have all made since 23 March now seem to have taken effect and as many aspects of life in the UK start to return to the “new normal”, so can activities at the Club.

Published Mon 29 Jun 2020

Dear Fellow Members,

This update is hopefully the last from me on the topic of the lockdown and easing of lockdown for Members, Visitors and Staff of Our Yacht Club.

If things change for the worse, I will of course email you again but hopefully my future emails will be far more upbeat than the Coronavirus news sheets sent out to date.

Published Fri 29 May 2020

Dear Fellow Members,

I am pleased to be able to follow the Country in announcing the lockdown relaxation of elements of the club. Some of the changes will happen from tomorrow, Saturday 30 May, and some from Monday 1 June. 

The slipway at Shoreham will be open at weekends from tomorrow, Saturday 30 May, between the hours of 08:00 and 17:00 only.

Posted 16 May 2020

Allowed and hour for exercise each day during the national Coronavirus lock down, Steve Vyse chose to keep fit by clambering around the building site that is going to be the new Sussex Yacht Club house. He took a video camera with him.

The film is in HD so you can expand to full screen if you wish.

Published Tue 13 May 2020

We are as keen as any of you to get back on the water, but this needs to be done as safely as possible and only when Government guidance allows.

The Government guidance on ‘accessing green spaces’ was updated this morning and this gave positive news in relation to our water-based activities. The revised guidance is that:

“All forms of water sports practiced on open waterways, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and the use of privately-owned motorised craft (in line with the guidance issued by the relevant navigation authority) are allowed.”

We have also received confirmation from Shoreham Port that they will now be allowing ‘leisure vessels’ to access the locks and Shoreham Port generally.

Published Tue 12 May 2020

Following the Prime Minister’s announcements on Sunday evening and a review with my fellow Flag Officers and the Club’s Virus Task Group which include our in house medical experts, I am delighted to be able to start the re-opening of our club, albeit in a very limited way at this time. 

I will be constantly reviewing guidance from our medical advisors, RYA, Port Authority and the Government and will amend and advise you of any changes as soon as I am able via these newsletters.

We are all aware of the Government guidance and instructions on social distancing and stopping the spread of disease, so I do not have to spell out what members should and should not do at this time. That said I have proposed a way forward that will hopefully avoid confusion, anxiety or anger with an aim to keep everyone as safe as possible as we move into a new phase of this crippling, and let’s not forget potentially fatal, pandemic:

Monday 19 April

Dear Members and Friends,

Just a short update on current affairs and an appeal for help if you are able, from our local care community.

The Club remains fully locked down including vehicular access to the boat yard. The barrier has been turned off apart from emergency access and Members are requested not to park in front of it in case emergency services are required to attend site.

One member of staff is on site each day usually during normal office hours and the club, yard and moorings at all sites are checked daily by either a member of staff or a Flag Officer.

If any member wishes to make contact, please use email in the first instance to secretary@sussexyachtclub.org.uk. This is being monitored by staff members.

Appeals For Help

We have been asked by a Club Member who owns and manages a residential care home locally to ask if any member has surplus equipment they might be prepared to donate to help key workers who are lacking in PPE (personal protective equipment).

Thursday 26 March

Dear Fellow Member and Friends,

I have to advise a correction to my last notification sent out this morning [Update #05} with regards to Shoreham Port only allowing designated commercial craft to use the lock. This is not currently the situation, with the guidance on the SYC website being revised to read; 'Your craft should not be used for recreational sailing and the port will encourage stake holders to follow government guidelines'.