For Membership Information Please Contact, Phil Croxford.
philip.croxford@yahoo.com
Subscription, (including joining fee for first year)
Family: £280.89
Individual: £242.31
Junior: £43.71
Student: £55.52
(Boat owning membership one off payment to Ski Section of £50.00)
Download Application Form, PDF
Download Application Form, Word Doc
INTRODUCTION - The Water Ski Section of Stewartby Water Sports Club uses half of a 240-acre lake at Stewartby in Bedfordshire, approximately 5 miles from the M1, junction 13, on the A421. The membership is made up of boat/non-boat owning, individual/family members. We are a section of a Water Sports Club, which embraces sailing, powerboat racing and angling. A separate committee operating on a voluntary basis runs each section. Facilities include the main clubhouse, which is open to all club members and offers changing rooms with hot showers and toilets, a bar, which is open every weekend and Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. The galley also serves hot and cold food.
HOW TO JOIN -Two sponsors are needed for the enrolment form. It is suggested that you visit the lake, meet the members, view the facilities and obtain your sponsorship. You should then forward your enrolment form with your cheque. This will be presented at the next Section Committee meeting, which meets once a month throughout the year and, if approved, you will receive your membership card and car sticker. The figures quoted include an enrolment fee applicable for the first year only and annual individual membership of BWS. A portion of the fee goes to the Sports Club; the remainder is retained by the Section for purely Section use.
BOAT OWNING MEMBERSHIP -We have 100 boats registered and any additional boats go onto a waiting list. If you wish to be considered for boat owning membership, please apply in writing to the committee. We put great store in safety and therefore, all boats must be scrutinised each year before the boat may be used and must meet the following specifications:
£2,000,000 Third Party Insurance with cover for and against skiers.
Be fitted with a jack plug engine cut-out that will operate at any angle and must be worn by the driver at all times.
Carry the allocated Club number in at least 11” high figures on each side of the boat.
Be fully seaworthy and have buoyancy (the lake is 90 ft deep in places)
Length is restricted to 18 feet maximum, although this may be waived in the case of a recognised competition ski boat, subject to approval in writing to and from the ski section committee.
No boat may have a cabin or cuddy.
Driver must hold Ski Boat Driver’s Award.
In the first year of membership, new members are offered the chance of weekday boat membership, subject to the availability of places. This scheme allows members to use the lake Monday - Friday until 6pm (excluding Bank Holidays) and unrestricted use from 1st November until 31st March. The following year the weekday membership is upgraded to full membership.
FACILITIES - We have a competition complex with 2 national standard slalom courses in its own area, with its own jetty moorings and associated measuring equipment and quick changing hut. A quick changing hut, slipways and jetties are at the Clubhouse end of the lake. We have a pleasant Clubhouse, which has changing rooms, toilets, hot showers, a Clubroom with bar and galley counter. Throughout the summer months there is an officer of the day (OOD) on duty on Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday. The OOD arranges scrutineering, hire of club equipment and general enquiries. Club equipment for hire includes skis, kneeboards, wakeboards, wetsuits and buoyancy aids. Most require a small hire charge and deposit in some cases and all equipment should be returned by 5pm. There is ample parking for cars and boat trailers next to the launch harbour area. There are also large areas of grass on which you can sit and picnic.
ACTIVITIES - We are members of the BWS associated with the Eastern Region of that organisation. We hold Club competitions for all grades of skiers, participate in inter-club, regional and splash-in events. Nevertheless 80% of the lake is usually available for fun skiing on a recreational skiing circuit. We also hold social events, e.g. Dinner Dance, Barbecues, Bonfire Night, Discos, etc.
ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF THE LAKE? Skiers may only use their half of the lake whilst even only one sailor is on his half of the water. This includes a sailing boat being tied up at the jetty. Approximately 8 weekends a year are allocated to the Powerboat Section.
No Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) towed inflatables or Jet skis
