Why Crew Pool?
SPYC recognises the number of people entering boating and joining clubs is decreasing. Factors include a changing demographic, available recreation time, perceived complexity, and cost. The SPYC Crew Pool Scheme has a clear purpose: to encourage people into boating and to support their development to become capable crew members and possibly skippers. As a result, the club attracts new members and develops a pool of competent sailors who are available to skippers looking for crew.
What is the Crew Pool Scheme?
The Scheme is envisaged primarily for younger non-boat owning members, but this is by no means the full story. Members who have previously owned boats can participate fully in club activities through the scheme, by being available as experienced crew, and providing guidance and mentoring to less experienced members, such as new boat owners or skippers. Members of the scheme are supported by volunteer owner skippers, who give their time and expertise, and welcome them on their boats for Club Cruising Days and other events.
The SPYC Crew Pool Scheme provides a framework for members to:
Gain the skills and competencies to become a competent crew member
Experience offshore sailing in larger boats
Participate in club events and other trips as a valued crew member
Gain qualifications (through an RYA accredited sea school)
Develop further to become a skipper and boat owner
The scheme is open to all members, and any member can join the list of available crew.
More Background
The Crew Pool Scheme illustrates how we as a club are working to bring more people into sailing. It is a win-win idea for owners and would-be crew members, benefitting:
People who would like to sail in larger yachts or cruise in motorboats, but don’t own one
Boat owners who need experienced crew who they know, get along with, and trust
People who want to join the Crew Pool scheme can sign up for non-boat owning membership of SPYC.
Age, skills, qualifications, and experience are not important.
Members looking for crewing experience are expected to be honest about their qualifications and experience so they can be coached in an appropriate way by boat owners. Members looking for crewing experience are expected to attend Club activities that are arranged to facilitate crew and boat owners getting to know each other. Members of the Crew Pool scheme are actively encouraged to join social events and Winter workshops. In this way they start to become known and get to know the boat owners – the more people you know, the more likely you are to be invited to go sailing.
Club Cruising Days offer the opportunity for crew and skippers to meet and sail together, enabling skippers to get to know crew and their skills. As skippers’ confidence and knowledge of members grows, the invitations to crew will increase; skippers and crew will feel comfortable enough to cruise further and on longer trips.
The Crew Pool Scheme is no free ride but provides opportunities for all members that can be hard to find elsewhere.
While Crew Pool is not a training scheme, novice members are expected to gain experience and qualifications to become good crew. SPYC endorses the RYA Yachtmaster Scheme, and we will help people gain the necessary experience and skills as they embark on their boating journey. We have experienced owner members who are more than happy to help members “learn the ropes”, and a close relationship with the local sailing school.
