Got Questions? We've Got Answers!

What is the aim of the Nepean Sailing Club Social Day Cruising program?

The aim of the program is to serve the needs of the cruising community at the Nepean Sailing Club; those who are boat owners as well as those who don't currently own a boat.

How does the Social Day Cruising program operate?

Operation of the program follows a distributed model. Information about the program resides with its users and is accessible via the Social Day Cruising network on WhatsApp. Users may subscribe to the network when they register in the program.

Users manage their own paticipation in the program through the program website.

Do I need to re-register every year?

Yep! We wipe the database clean at the end of each season, so everyone (including returning sailors) needs to sign up fresh for the new year.

I have an account with Nepean Sailing Club. Do I need to re-register with the Social Day Cruising program?

'Fraid so! You'll need to create a separate account for the Social Day Cruising program.

How is my personal information handled?

Your personal information is processed and/or stored by Nepean Sailing Club, Amazon Web Services and Mailjet. The related privacy policies are described in the following resources.

• NSC - Privacy Policy
• Amazon Web Services Privacy Policy
• Mailjet Privacy Policy

How much does it cost?

Starting out? Zero dollars! Completely FREE! Once you're hooked (and you will be), consider becoming a Crewing Member to support the program and get priority spots.

I registered but can't make it—what now?

No worries! Just update your availability on the website before 10:00 AM on event day. That way you won't get hit with a no-show.

The system will be unavailable for updates after 10:00 AM.

I freed up and can now join an event—how?

Sweet! Update your availability on the website. The system will auto-add you to the event or the waitlist depending on space.

What happens if I ghost an event?

Not cool! You'll get marked as a no-show and bumped down in priority for future events. Do it more than once and you might get kicked from the program. Please update if you can't make it!

When's the registration deadline?

10:00 AM on event day. After that, the calendar freezes and any cancellation counts as a no-show.

How do I know if bad weather cancels an event?

The skippers will confer in the morning. They decide if it's safe to sail, and you'll get an email right away. We only cancel for serious stuff—lightning, crazy winds, or nasty air quality.

Can I show up late or leave early?

Nope! You gotta commit to the whole thing—arrive by 12:45 PM and stay for the full 3-4 hour sail. It's only fair to your boat mates and the skipper.

Why does my boat keep changing?

The system recalculates every time someone updates their availability. It's making sure crews are balanced across all boats. Your assignment might bounce around until the 10:00 AM deadline—totally normal!

Can I sail with my partner/friend?

Sorry, no! We're all about mixing it up and meeting new people. The whole point is building community, not just hanging with people you already know.

Can I request a specific boat?

Nope! The auto system keeps things fair by mixing everyone up. This way you get to experience different boats and learn from various skippers. Variety is the spice of sailing!

Why am I always on the waitlist?

Few reasons this might happen:

• Not an NSC member yet (members get priority)
• Didn't enter a valid membership number when registering for the program
• Previous no-shows tanking your priority
• Signing up less than a week before the event
• Event is just super popular

Pro tip: Become a member and register early!

How do I know if I get off the waitlist?

Check the events page—it updates in real-time when spots open up. Calendar freezes at 10:00 AM on event day. You can also show up as standby in case of last-minute cancellations!

I'm a boat owner, but I don't mind crewing if there's ever a shortage. What should I do?

Register as a boat owner and check the box to indicate that you can crew on another boat if necessary. Whenever you are available, your boat will be added to the flotilla, unless there aren't sufficient crew for the other boats. Then you will be assigned a crew position on one of those boats.

What is the Social Day Cruising network on WhatsApp?

This is a WhatsApp group that is THE place to go for information about the Social Day Cruising program. Use it to get answers to your questions about the program, the club, boats and sailing in general.

Due to the high member turnover each year, the group is deleted at the start of each season.

What should I bring?

Here's the essentials list:

• Closed-toe, non-slip shoes (MUST have!)
• Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Clothes for the weather (layers are smart)
• PFD if you have one (we'll hook you up if not)
• Good vibes!

Where do we meet?

Blue tent on the west lawn at 12:45 PM. BE ON TIME! If you're late, standby folks will snag your spot.

Do I need sailing experience?

Absolutely not! We welcome everyone from total newbies to old salts. The whole point is learning and sharing knowledge across all skill levels.

How long are the sails?

Each cruise is 3-4 hours, then we hang out on the club deck afterward. Saturdays are extra fun with raft-ups and potluck parties!