There are no restrictions on when you can get out on the water from SYC. At low water on the very biggest (Spring) tides, you may run out of slipway and end up playing in the mud for an hour (if you choose to return to SYC right at low tide).

However, if you are new to sailing or new to the Exe Estuary it is very likely that you'll initially want to get out on the water when there are other people around and safety boat cover. This section aims to provide you with an overview of the various organised activities at SYC and how to decide whether to go sailing when they are happening.

• Water Sports - these sessions with safety boat cover and a racebox lookout are ideal for getting out on the estuary for the first time. Better still, there's a  rota of experienced SYC members who attend these sessions ready to give help and advive - if asked. Please do ask! Or get in contact with John (the new members "captain")
  See the SYC programme for when these sessions happen
• Dinghy racing - SYC dinghy races aim to appeal to all - from novices to national champions. Tides permitting, they take place every Sunday throughout the year and every Wednesday evening during the summer (see the SYC programme for times). While the idea of dinghy racing may seem daunting if you haven't been involved before, it really shouldn't be. Have a read of The Duffers Diary written by an SYC member trying out racing for the first time to get a feel for how welcoming it can be! If you just want to go sailing on a race day because there are plenty of safety boats about, maybe pop into the race box and ask where it is best to sail while the race is happening. Or maybe get in contact with Dave (the sailing secretary)
• Dinghy cruising - another great option for getting out on the water with safety boat cover. However, because the dinghy cruises tend to go further from the club and to where the tides run faster in the Exe, they do ask for a minimum level of experience,. Please see the dinghy cruise guidelines or, better still, get in touch with Mike or Rod (the dinghy cruise group co-ordinators).
• Junior sessions - junior sailing (mainly Friday evenings in Spring / early summer) have a veritable armada of safety boats / ribs on the water so are another opportunity to get on the water when your fellow club members are about. To get more info, get in contact with Kate (the Juniors membership secretary)

• low water - at low water there are large areas of drying mud and sand and most of the rest of the Exe will have very little water. In the marked / buoyed channel there is usually at least a little water. However, whether that is enough for your boat at low water is another matter! Your best bet is probably to get in touch with SYC members with similar interests
  • For dinghy sailing, please contact Rod and Mike (the SYC dinghy cruise co-ordinators). If you are logged on to the SYC website, please see the dinghy cruise hub page to get details about the Dinghy Cruise WhatsApp group where your questions will probably get a swift answer
    Note that dinghy racing is planned around high tides!
  • For yacht sailng, please contact Derek (the SYC yacht cruising lead). Many SYC yacht sailors now use an "inshore passage" to the west of the marked channel but you would probaby be best getting in contact with the SYC yachting members first.
    There is an active SYC Yachting WhatsApp group - details on the yachting hub page if you are logged on to the SYC website.

• big tides - when there are big tides (springs), the tidal flows on the Exe can be strong. Around the club, the flows can be quite strong and tide speeds of one to two knots can be seen. The speed of the tide increases as you go further down the estuary and when you get past Starcross (on the way down the estuary), the speeds pick up significantly. By the time you get towards Dawlish Warren, tide speeds at springs can reach up to four and a half knots. With this rate of movement of water, you must plan well ahead when deciding how to sail round obstructions. If in any doubt, assume that you will have to pass down tide!

• read the dinghy hire information page
• if logged on, you can book a dinghy hire using the online dinghy hire app
• or you can contact the SYC dinghy hire co-ordinator

• Is your boat sound with enough buoyancy?
• Are you wearing suitable clothing?
• Are you wearing a buoyancy aid?
• Is the combined weight of helm & crew appropriate for the boat?
• Have you taken notice of the weather and the forecast?
• Time of year – water and air temperatures and possible wind chill?
• Does the boat have the necessary equipment for your sailing plan (anchor, GPS, charts, VHF)?
• If you capsize, can you cope?
• If the wind drops, can you get back to SYC?
• Do you carry emergency equipment - VHF, flares, mobile phone, etc?
• Have you told someone where you are going and of your expected time of return?
• Have you "signed on" using the SYC leisure sail app before launching and "signed off" when you return?