1.    Constitution

 

These rules are subject to change by Chichester Water-Ski Limited (CWSL) Management and may be changed without prior notification.

 

Version	Date	Comment
1.0	31 March 2003	Approved by SGO-H & REH
1.1	01 April 2003	Addition of Temporary Membership
2.0	01 March 2004	Ski season extended to 7 months
2.1	01 March 2004	SBDA preparation
2.2	01 March 2004	Adjustment of skiing days and times
2.3	31 March 2004	Inclusion of Wakeboarding for competition practice
2.4	31 March 2004	Free skiing Wednesday morning
2.5	21 January 2006	Refund amendment
2.6	31 March 2006	Order and layout reworked for word format
2.7	08 June 2007	Boat driving responsibilities section rewritten
2.8	28 June 2009	Junior boat driver age restrictions amended in line with BWS guidelines. Skiing times and number of passes amended for increased use of flat water.
2.9	23 March 2010	Amendments to reflect change in ownership of site. Additionally, requirement for juniors to use helmets for inflatable and wakeboard riding
3.0	06 March 2011	Use of day try out sessions amended from 5 trials to 3 before club membership is required

 

Chichester Water-Ski Limited (CWSL) will maintain the lease of Ivy Lake at Chichester Lakeside Holiday Park via contractual agreement with Park Holidays UK.

 

Chichester Water-Ski Club (CWSC) is registered with British Water Ski & Wakeboard  (BWS&W) for purposes of water skiing, wakeboarding and water sport at Ivy Lake, Chichester. Only as a member of CWSC will use of the water be permitted and only in accordance with the rules stated herein.

 

The club shall consist of honorary members, Boat owning members, Adult members, Junior members, Student members and Non skiing members.

 

Officers of CWSC will be appointed annually by CWSL.

 

All assets of CWSC will be the property of CWSL. This will also extend to any equipment donated to CWSC.

 

2.    Memberships

 

Conditions of CWSC membership.

Persons of either sex shall be eligible for CWSC membership provided that:

(A)   They are reasonably competent swimmers

(B)   They, or Parent of Guardian if under 18yrs of age, sign an undertaking that they absolve the Club, its Officers, Members and Proprietors from liability for any injury or damage to themselves, or their property from any cause whatsoever including the negligence of the Proprietors, their Servants or Agents whilst engaged in the activities of the Club

(C)   They become members of British Water Ski; the only exception to this being when skiing on a temporary/trial basis

3.    Limitation of both CWSL & CWSC liability

 

Whilst “Conditions for CWSC membership 2(B)” stated above covers eligibility of members, all members their guests and visitors are bound by the following:

Members, guests and visitors, may use Club premises and any other facility of the Club, entirely at their own risk and implicitly accept that:

(A)   Both CWSL & CWSC will not accept liability for any damage to or loss of property belonging to members, their guests or visitors to the Club.

(B)   Both CWSL & CWSC will not accept any liability for personal injury arising out of the use of the Club premises and any other facilities of the Club either sustained by members, guests or visitors whether or not such damage or injury could have been attributed to or was occasioned by the neglect, default or negligence of any of the members, the Officers or servants of the Club.

 

4.    Membership categories

Membership	Description
Boat Owning	Includes husband and wife, or partners that are co-habiting, and their children under the age of 18 years of age on 1st day of April. Immediate members of the family will be permitted to use the boat owning members boat if they are over the age of 18 years, Ski Boat Driver Award (SBDA) certified, named on the insurance policy and provided they are appropriately paid up members of the Club.
Family	Family Includes husband and wife, or partners that are co-habiting, and their children under the age of 18 years on the 1st day of April.
Adult	Adult Includes husband and wife as the case may be, for social membership but only the named individual may ski as a member.
Student	Between the ages of 18 & 21 years, as long as they are in full time education.
Junior	Under the age of 18 years – requiring Parent or Guardian consent.
Temporary Day Adult	Over 18 years of age. (Limited to 3 trial days after which membership to the club is required)
Temporary Day Junior	Under 18 years - requiring Parent or Guardian consent. (Limited to 3 trial days after which membership to the club is required)

 

Temporary day skiing membership will be available, however this will be by invitation of boat owners only. Boat owners will be responsible for completion of a day ticket for temporary membership. Guests must sign the day ticket prior to skiing accepting that skiing is undertaken entirely at their own risk and without liability to both CWSL and CWSC as stated above for "Conditions for CWSC membership".

 

Tickets must be obtained in advance, either by post or via club officers. For juniors, a parent or guardian must sign the ticket prior to their child skiing.  The boat owner will have overall responsibility for posting the signed ticket in the post box provided on site. No temporary skier will be permitted on the water without first signing and posting the day ticket. Boat owners failing to ensure temporary members sign the required declaration and post on site may be expelled from the Club. The decision of club officers on this matter will be final.

5.    Membership payment

 

No person shall be allowed to take part in the activities of CWSC until payment has been made to CWSL and copies of boat insurance documents and proof of BWS membership has been provided. Those wishing to renew memberships for the upcoming season must notify the membership secretary of their wish to rejoin prior to commencing the season. In event of no notification, boat moorings will be offered to those next on the waiting list.

 

Note: Membership fees are non-refundable and may not be prorated if applying for membership part way through a season.

 

6.    Expulsion and suspension

 

If at any time the management of CWSL shall be of the opinion that the interests of CWSC so require, they may by letter, invite the member to resign within a time stipulated within the letter. In default of his or her resignation, the question of their expulsion shall be considered by CWSL who shall have the power to expel and whose decision shall be final.

7.    Boats

(A) Boat Requirements

 

A “boat” shall be deemed to be one that is suitable for towing a water skier at speeds in excess of 25mph (40km/h), no less than 15ft (4.6m) long and minimum 75HP engine, with an appropriate fire extinguisher on board. The following are not permitted on the water: Ribs, inflatable dingy, Jet bikes, motorised surfboards and sailing vessels.

(B) First-Aid Kits

 

All boat owners will be required to hold their own first-aid kit. This need not be held in their boat and may be kept in the boot of their vehicle, however this must be available on site when their boat is in use.

(C) Insurance

 

All boat owners using the lake must have in force a current insurance policy for a minimum third party liability cover in the sum of £1,000,000 and shall cover Water Skiing, Water Ski Racing and Barefoot Skiing, and shall be such as to fully indemnify both CWSL & CWSC in respect of all claims, demands or costs against them.

 

All boat owners are required to produce their insurance documents with membership fees prior to launching their boats on the water. No boat will be permitted to launch on the water unless a copy of current insurance documentation has been provided to the membership secretary.

(D) Ski Boat Driving Award (SBDA)

 

Only drivers holding the British Water Ski (BWS) SBDA of competence will be permitted to drive boats on Ivy Lake. However, to enable prospective drivers to prepare for the SBDA test, they may do so whilst there are no more than three boats on the water (in total) and only whilst under the supervision of an SBDA certified driver.

(E) Under Age Drivers

 

No junior person may drive a boat on the lake under the age of 15 years. Over 15 years and up to 16 years, they may do so under instruction from Parent, guardian or Instructor (must be SBDA certified) and then only when the lake is clear of other boats. Over 16 years, they may tow skiers under the instruction of certified Parent, Guardian or Instructor. Over 16 years, and only when passed as proficient and SBDA certified, may they tow skiers without direct supervision, and only then when accompanied by an experienced observer.

 

NB. Boat owners with junior drivers must produce an adequate insurance note qualifying junior drivers.

(F) Number of boats on the water

 

During periods of free skiing no more than 5 boats will be allowed on the water towing at any one time. Other boats must remain at their jetty until a towing boat returns before leaving to commence skiing activities. Boat drivers must navigate the lake in an anticlockwise direction. Clear hand signals must be used at all times to indicate boat driver intentions to return skiers to dock or to navigate a path through boat traffic.

(G) Maximum skiers permitted behind a boat

 

The maximum number of skiers permitted behind a boat will be as follows:

1 boat on lake may tow up to 4 skiers

2 or 3 boats on lake may tow up to 3 skiers (per boat)

4 or 5 boats on lake may tow up to 2 skiers (per boat)

(H) 15m Exclusion Zone (by lakeside chalets)

 

In front of the lakeside chalets is a 15m area that is buoyed off. This area is for lakeside residents to use. Boats and skiers are not permitted in this area. This is within contract commitments to Park Holidays UK and must be observed at all times.

 (I) Driver responsibilities (to Passengers/Skier/Boarders)

 

Drivers shall ensure:

 

• All skiers/boarders wear appropriate buoyancy/body protection, i.e. wet suit, life jacket. When ski-jumping it is compulsory to wear a crash helmet and jump jacket.

 

• Whilst towing a skier/boarder that an observer is present and familiar with all required communication signals between skier/observer and driver.

 

• Whilst away from the jetty, no individual shall be permitted to enter the water from the boat whilst the engine is running. Likewise, when recovering a skier/boarder to the boat the engine shall be switched off until the individual is safely recovered and seated within the boat.

 

• All passengers within the boat shall be seated; sitting on the gunnels or bow when the boat is under power is not permitted.

 

• That the area around the jetties is kept clear at all times. After returning a skier/boarder to the dock the boat driver shall circle to a halt around the jump/slalom entrance to recover ropes and return to the jetty when clear of other traffic.

 

• Novice skiers/boarders shall be taken to areas other than that around the jetties to commence their ride.

 

• All junior members who partake in riding inflatables or wakeboards must wear appropriate headgear protection. Over 16yrs of age this is at the discretion of the rider however it is strongly recommended that all participants adopt use of protective headgear when engaging in these activities.

(J) Swimming

 

Swimming in the lake is not permitted within the vicinity of the boats and may only be undertaken within designated areas. Parents and Guardians are responsible, for the safety of all children in their care and, for ensuring that this is adhered to.

8.    Skiing days and times

 

The lake is open to Club Members from the second weekend in April through to the last weekend in October, including Bank Holidays, from 07:00 to dusk; when street lamps come on all water activities must cease.

 

NB: Bank holidays will be treated as a Sunday for ski times.

9.    Exceptions

 

At the discretion of CWSL the lake may be closed to CWSC members for occasional private use. This will only apply during weekdays and ten working days notice will be provided to all club members of lake closure.  

10.  Competition practice times

 

Note: Competition skiing refers to four competition disciplines i.e. slalom (skiing up to six passes per skier only), Jump skiing (up to 4 jumps per skier only), trick skiing (up to four passes per skier undertaken at the far side of the lake) and Wakeboarding (up to six passes per skier undertaken on the far side of the lake).

NB A pass is running one length of the lake.

 

Although competition slots are generally utilised by more experienced skiers, it is recognised that all skiers need to stretch themselves and everyone has to learn and grow in their chosen discipline. To cater for this, during busy times (more than 10 people on the list) it is recommended that should a participant fall more than 4 times, they return to the dock before completing all passes to allow the next person on the list to commence their run. This will help reduce waiting times for all those taking part in use of flat water/competition slots.

 

Skiing Times

Saturday
Time	Activity
08:00 – 10:00	Competition skiing (single boat operation)
10:00 – 17:30	Free skiing
17:30 – Dusk	Competition skiing (single boat operation)
Sunday
Time	Activity
08:00 – 10:00	Competition skiing (single boat operation)
10:00 – 17:30	Free skiing
17:30 – Dusk	Competition skiing (single boat operation)
Wednesday
Time	Activity
08:00 – 14:00	Free skiing
14:00 – Dusk	Competition skiing (single boat operation)
All other weekdays
Time	Activity
08:00 – 10:00	Competition skiing (single boat operation)
10:00 – 17:30	Free skiing
17:30 – 18:30	Competition skiing (single boat operation)
18:30 - Dusk	Free skiing

 

When partaking in competition practice skiers are requested to place their names on the board provided. If names are entered after the designated time slot commences, participation will only be allowed if time permits. Mutual agreement must be made between remaining skiers; if required club officer will make final decision.

 

Note: Skiing Times must be adhered to at all times, however if no more than 3 boat owning members are present on site, and agreement is reached between drivers (this must be verbally agreed with all 3 boat owners before taking to the water), single boat operation may be permitted temporarily. If more than 3 boat owning members are present, single boat operation will NOT be permitted outside of the designated Skiing Times.

11.  Inappropriate behaviour

 

If safety of any member is compromised by inappropriate behaviour, including excessive use of alcohol, the offender will be instructed to cease all activities, remove their skiers from the water and depart from the site immediately. At the discretion of the Club Officials, membership may also be terminated with no recompense.  They will subsequently be contacted to arrange for collection and removal of their boat from the lake.

12.  Dogs

 

Dogs will only be permitted on site with permission of CWSL management and must be on a lead.  The dog owner is required to be aware at all times of where their dog is and must clean up after the dog.