So let me clear up some common misconceptions by answering some frequently asked questions:
1) I assume you are a very small tight-knit group. Probably... unless I have been hanging out with the rest of the club at the socials and sailing on trips since the start of the year I'll be out of the fold, or maybe not welcome at all :(
Well! Let me tell you that on almost all trips we have newcomers to the club. People who have never ever been associated with CUYC before! In fact most frequently the majority of the crew haven't met before - yet they always fit in well! In fact, sailing is such an inclusive activity every crew seems to bond instantly.
To reiterate: It is not necessary to even have heard of the club to come and enjoy a trip!
2) I haven't sailed a boat before. I assume you'll want someone more adept?
Not so! As we said on the trip page and elsewhere, we are open to beginners, and in fact it is very very rare everyone knows what they are doing. We run each trip with a core of experienced sailors who can manage the boat safely. Everyone else is there to learn, and have a good time learning sailing, seeing the sights and partying.
3) But I am not a member of Cambridge University ? (Or - what about my friends who are not members of CUYC?)
CUYC can accept "Affiliates" on a trip - people known to a member but not a member or past member of Cambridge University. On this trip everyone pays the same price (£15 membership fee applies to everyone if you are not a member this year yet). When you register to attend, email the organiser saying that you want to attend as a party, and so the skipper will either accept all of you or none of you. Everyone (including Affiliates) need to create a CUYC registration using this webpage http://www.cuyc.org.uk/login/register/
and to fill in an on-line Crew Register (for safety reasons). Everyone wanting to come on a trip must do this before signing up to the trip itself.
4) This is like a cruise ship, right?
Well, unfortunately not. This is not an ocean liner. There is not a pool and a bar...
Sailing is an active holiday. Sometimes it's challenging. Sometimes it's exciting. That's kind of what makes taking a sailing yacht - harnessing the power of the wind and sailing around remote, often stunning, locations - so rewarding really. While hanging out in the sun, having a BBQ and drinking G&T (or wine, or lemonade, or beer, or tea, etc. etc.) are part and parcel of the holiday, our trips will reward you if you turn up expecting to get involved in the adventure!
If you have any more questions, we have some more information on our website or send an e-mail to Philip Sargent (profile), or come and chat to us at one of our socials!