Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the things that our visitors ask most often.
  • What's special about Island Barn? Among our bonus points are: peaceful sailing away from main roads and flight paths, easy launching from several access points (no bottlenecks), shallow ramps to make launching and recovery easy, lots of pontoons so no need to fish out between races, sailing that goes past the clubhouse each lap so good spectating. Also good competition and excellent turnouts - what more could you ask?
  • How do I join IBRSC? All you need do is complete the membership form, which you can obtain either at the club or from the membership secretary (see the home page for contact details). We hope to get the form on-line soon. As soon as you have the form filled and your cheque submitted you can start sailing. If you're bringing a boat, it must be insured before it comes through the gates, but once you've done that you're in business.  Please click here for the membership form and return a signed copy either by post or e-mail to:

    Dave Baldwin
    IBRSC Membership Secretary
    Briarside
    Gower Road
    Weybridge
    Surrey
    KT13 0HA

    Tel:      0870 7652628
    email:  ibrsc.membership@dsl.pipex.com

  • Those subs look cheap - how come? That is because we have no staff - the races and clubhouse are run by the members on a rota basis, and we are a non-profit club. This allows us to offer competitive rates, and lets everyone learn about race management, rescue boats and cookery! This does mean that you commit to doing your duties and to helping out whenever you can.
  • Is the family included in all that? Yes, the rate includes partner and all children under 18 at the same address. There's a well-equipped toybox on comfy carpet in the dry area of the clubhouse, and a small climbing frame outside. Please note that parents remain responsible for their children at all times.
  • What's involved in the duties? Duties are part of your membership commitment, and are what keeps the fees down and the club friendly. Four times a year you'll be part of your team and will start and run the racing, record the results, cook the lunch and wash up, man the rescue boats, welcome visitors and generally run the club for that day. Your team leader will allocate tasks, trying to rotate people each time so everyone learns it all. We provide a duty day handbook to help you learn all you need to know, and there are notices everywhere. Duty day can often be lots of fun as you watch everyone else provide the comedy! IBRSC needs and welcomes additional help for and as club officers and committee members.
  • I can't sail - do you do lessons? Currently we run two training schemes: adults on Tuesday evenings from May to August, and children on Sunday afternoons May-July and September to October. Neither require you to join, although obviously we hope you will as soon as you are hooked. People wanting to learn to sail are urged to join the schemes early in the year, don't wait until the school holidays! See the 'training' page for full details. Parents are requested to help with the junior training, we'll show you what we need doing. Training is not available outside these times (our volunteers give up lots of time as it is!), although we can point you at other organisations that can help if these times don't suit. Bear in mind that places which have paid staff will charge much more than we do.
  • Can I sail outside hours? Yes, you can go out without rescue cover if there are at least two dinghies out, manned by experienced over-18 helms. Generally this doesn't happen as most people find that our normal sailing hours provide plenty of access to the water, but it can be done. Remember that you always sail at IBRSC at your own risk.
  • Do you take a break over the winter? No - we're mad and we sail all year round; we'll only take the day off if the reservoir freezes over. With no currents or tides to contend with, reservoirs are ideal for winter sailing. OK, it's cold, but the wind is steadier and that nice warm clubhouse is very near. In fact our turnouts are often higher over winter as all our travellers come home with the end of the Open meeting season.
  • What about the kids? In the last couple of years our junior sailing has really taken off, and we now have a regular group of youngsters racing Toppers, as well as an enthusiastically-supported junior sailing school which runs on Sunday afternoons. Unlike some other clubs, our sailing programme is for all - we don't insist on age or skill limits for races. Please note that under-11s must not be alone at the club; a parent or nominated adult must be on the premises at all times. Parents are also responsible for the behaviour of their children, and are encouraged to assist with the training and clubhouse work.
  • Do you have club boats? Yes - we have two club Enterprises for use by members at £5 per session, plus Solos, Toppers and Lasers available for £3 per go. We don't hire dinghies to non-members for organisational and financial reasons. Under-18 hirers get a £1 discount on all rates.
  • My boat isn't one of your 'standard' fleets. Can I sail it? Yes, you'll be most welcome in the handicap fleet, subject to the answer to the next question. You may find it more fun racing one of our fleet boats, but there's no compulsion.
  • Are there any limits on what can be sailed at Island Barn? Not many, but basically the facilities aren't suitable for very heavy or wide boats. See the fleets page for more detail..
  • Is there space for my trailer? I don't want it cluttering up the drive. Yes, there's a trailer park at the end of the car park, we charge a token £8 per year. Please label your trailer and do not lock it to the fence - a hitch lock provides all the security you need while still allowing us to move the trailer if required.
  • What is the standard like? At the front of the fleet, pretty high - you'll see IBRSC sailors high up in the results on many of the travellers and European circuits, and we can also boast a world champion or two. But fear not, there's plenty of room at the back of the fleet, and we're not aggressive racers. So whatever your standard, there's sailing to match at IBRSC.
  • I don't fancy racing - can I cruise? Yes, of course, any time the club is open - all we ask is that you keep clear of the racers, there's plenty of room. However racing is a lot of fun and much less intimidating than you think - why not give it a go?
  • What about windsurfing? You are welcome Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and summer Tuesdays. IBRSC is not, to be honest, a short board venue - it is not often that windy. (Although it does happen...) But for long boards, it's excellent, and you won't find cheaper.
  • Can I do canoeing, jetskiing etc? The reservoir is for the use of the club, which does dinghy sailing and windsurfing. We are able to make arrangements with other groups for some non motorised watersports, but do not allow waterskiing or jetskiing. Please also note that there is no (deliberate!) bathing in the reservoir.
  • What about water levels? Island Barn is a live reservoir, but it is at the end of Thames Water's supply chain, so generally we don't have a problem when bigger reservoirs are empty. Of course it is all under Thames Water's control, but we are set up to cope with varying water levels and we haven't had problems in quite a while.
  • Can I bring a guest? You may bring a guest sailor along up to six times in one year. (They must have suitable insurance cover and are not allowed to sail the club boats unless there is an IBRSC member helming). Non-sailing guests are welcome at any time; please also sign them in.
  • What happened to 'Walton-on-Thames SC'? It's the same club! Tradition is a wonderful thing, and we were loth to lose 25 years of history by a name change. But we need members and visitors, and we found that we were losing lots of potential members who assumed we were on the river, and preferred a different kind of sailing area. Also, each time we held an Open there were lots of confused owners driving round Walton! (We're only three miles away). So we changed the name, following a discussion at the AGM, to reflect where and what we are. You will still hear longer standing members talking about 'WOTSC'.