Members FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to get the most out of your BYRA membership?

Check out the key things you should know based on our most frequently asked questions!

How will BYRA communicate with me?

Our formal means of communication is through our revSPORT platform. Emails will end in no-reply@revolutionise.com.au. BYRA can't control what your email provider filters into junk so please check and make sure these are getting through!

Our informal means of communication is through the Member's WhatsApp channel. This is a more user-friendly channel for our volunteers to communicate key information through [such as when the clubhouse may not be available for use], so please accept the invite to join. If you get too many notifications, please mute them; don't just leave the channel!

We'd like to post on Facebook and Instagram more often but don't have a volunteer to lead this - if you would be open to getting involved, please let us know!

Who do I contact if I have a question, a problem, or a complaint?

Your first port of call should be to check this BYRA website - there is lots of information over the various pages, and you might find what you need.

If not, check out our Volunteering at BYRA page for who is on the BYRA Committee and what they are responsible for. If you are still unsure who to speak to just email sailing@byra.com.au or pop a message in the Members' WhatsApp channel.

Please send any complaints to Commodore@byra.com.au

But in all matters, please be patient and please be kind. BYRA is not run by paid staff but by paying members like you who generously give their time for free.

What is included in my membership?

When you join, you will have selected a Membership Category. To understand the benefits under each type please check out the Membership page. Generally, sailors get access to all benefits, and non-sailors get access to the aqua park equipment. As you will see from the following questions, the most benefits go to those who really embrace their membership through volunteering and attending activities and events.

Value is returned through discounted hires and most importantly, friendships, camaraderie and that oft-elusive, enhanced sense of purpose.

BYRA members really do get out what they put in.

What activities do BYRA offer?

All sailing activities run by BYRA are described on the Home page with links provided to additional information. Specific sailing events will be included under the Events page where registration is normally required, even if the event is free.

We are always looking to increase the pool of volunteers to assist with running sailing activities. For more information, don't hesitate to get in touch with our Vice Commodore!

Sometimes, we catch up for ad hoc drinks and nibbles on the BYRA deck. This is normally only communicated through the Members' WhatsApp channel.

How do I get access to the clubhouse?

The clubhouse will generally always be open on a Sunday during the normal sailing season of late September until early May. If you want to be sure you will get access OR you want to access the clubhouse outside these times, you will need to obtain an access fob for the boatshed door. This fob has no fee, but you need to pay a $50 deposit. This will be returned to you when the fob is returned. To obtain a fob head over to the shop!

I'm last to leave the clubhouse - how do I lock up?!

The clubhouse is not staffed. All members need to be aware of whether they are the last to leave and, if so, ensure that they follow the correct lock-up procedure. To help you, we have created an easy step-by-step checklist. Click here to view it online. A laminated A4 copy is also inside near the canteen, either on the table beside the stairs or in the brochure rack.

Please note that the ground-floor double doors at the front entrance can be tricky!

These are fire egress doors and will always open from the inside. Please always check from the outside that they are properly locked. If they open again, they need to be locked with a key. If you don't have a key, please pop a message into the Members' WhatsApp chat, and we will help you.

Can I use the clubhouse any time I like?

Generally yes! The only time the clubhouse cannot be used is when there is an event on, that has paid for exclusive use. Our Hall Hire Manager will communicate this via the Members' WhatsApp channel. If in doubt, check the WhatsApp channel or pop a message before heading to BYRA. If there are people using the clubhouse when you arrive, please use your common sense - if it is a yoga class, please keep the noise down; if it is a wedding or a memorial service, it is most likely an exclusive hire.

Please respect those who pay to hire the club - only through these third-party hires can we afford to pay our BYRA bills!

Can I hire the clubhouse as a member, and how much will it cost?

Yes, you can hire the clubhouse if it is available and outside normal Sunday sailing hours and it is available. The cost will depend on various factors, including the purpose, number of people, what day, for how long, and... how much volunteering you have done for BYRA. The more you contribute to BYRA, the bigger the discount will be!

Can I bring guests to BYRA?

We don't have a rigid Guest Use policy (yet!), but please be respectful in this regard. If the guest visit is a one-off or for a specific BYRA-organised social event, then yes, no problem. However, if the guest (or guests!) are using the clubhouse often, then they should join. Otherwise, there is no incentive to be a paying member, and we will slowly implode due to a lack of funds. Plus, social membership is "cheap as chips!"

If the guest is a sailor who will be using the facilities, we have a 'Buy BYRA a Beer policy'. This is intended as a friendly gesture from those sailors, much like how you would buy a mate a beer if you were staying at their home. All we ask is for a donation of the value of a BYRA beer. The current rate is only $7!

Guests must also be accompanied by you at all times unless agreed prior with a Committee member.

Can I use the BYRA-owned dinghies?

The use of BYRA boats is subject to the following:

A general approval to use BYRA boats - this is based on your level of sailing competency and is non-negotiable
An induction specific to the boat in question
A boat booking through the website - click here

Note - competency assessments and boat inductions must be made well before any intention to use a BYRA boat. These are done by volunteers who are not available on demand.

If you think you may want to use a BYRA boat, then let the Club Captain know ASAP, and they will start the approval and induction process at a time that works for them - Sunday mornings during normal sailing season generally work best!

Currently, the cost of using the BYRA boats is at the discretion of the BYRA Committee. Generally, a member can use each type of boat up to two times before being asked to pay (approximately $45 per day). However, these rules can be waived if you are volunteering a lot and actively contributing to the life of the club. Similarly, if we start seeing heavy usage of the boats (and therefore maintenance requirements and breakages), we will need to start charging to ensure they remain available.

Finally, boats must not be used without a booking. This is to ensure that those who book are guaranteed usage and to understand how the boats are being used and by whom. This is non-negotiable, and unauthorised use may result in disciplinary action by the club. But again, it's so easy to book online - just click here!

Can I use the BYRA-owned Safety Boats?

Generally no. Safety boats can only be used during BYRA-approved activities and events. This is for safety reasons. Anyone wishing to drive a boat or volunteer in this capacity must have their NSW General Boat Driving Licence. To get one, please click here.

What is the Aquatic Park and how do I use it?

Aquatic Park is the catch-all term we use for kayaks, SUPs, and aqua lily pad mat.

The equipment owned by BYRA is clearly labelled [almost!] and can be booked through the website.

Please respect that this equipment is for members only - guests are not permitted to use it unless approved by the BYRA Committee.

All equipment must be treated with respect and washed down after use. We have ongoing challenges with people dragging the kayaks and then being surprised when they find themselves sinking... Please don't be one of these surprised people!`Please also put equipment away after use and report any damage to the Club Captain.

At some point in the future, we will likely charge to use this equipment, but there's no charge right now! This is a privilege. Please enjoy it, especially if you are a non-sailor or a sailor looking an activity on a windless day.

I have my own boat. Can I store it at BYRA?

Yes, if we have room for it, you can store it. Please contact the Club Captain for more information.

Be aware that items are stored at their owner's risk, so make sure you have appropriate insurance in place.

I have never raced before, but want to give it a go - can I?

No problem! Our regular sailors will support you through this. Please let our Vice Commodore know.

You will also need to have third-party insurance in place for $10,000,000. This is non-negotiable.

Is BYRA solely responsible for my health & safety when at BYRA or during BYRA activities?

No! BYRA takes health and safety very seriously and has developed a Health and Safety Management system. Check it out here. However, a key aspect of this system is the requirement that members take a high level of self-responsibility for their health and safety and that of others when at BYRA.

Again, all sailors using their own boats must have appropriate boat insurance in place.

How do I know BYRA is being run properly?

BYRA is an Incorporated Association registered with NSW Fair Trading. We are bound by both NSW Fair Trading requirements plus a Constitution. These include formal procedures for managing finances, keeping records and addressing member complaints.

The Committee endeavours to treat all members equally and make decisions openly and transparently. All members are welcome to stand for election, and we encourage them to consider it seriously. The more diverse the Committee, the better the spectrum of BYRA members can be represented in decision-making.

Volunteering at BYRA - What is expected of me?

Volunteers are the fuel that keeps BYRA running.

BYRA costs approximately $50,000 a year to operate. This includes various insurances, clubhouse maintenance, safety boat registrations and maintenance, and other expenses such as fuel, rubbish collections, cleaning, and other clubhouse sundries. Although we are a not-for-profit organization, we pay market rates for essentially all of these items, notwithstanding the valued contributions from a few key sponsors.

All activities associated with both keeping the doors open and running member activities and events are covered by volunteers. Without this approach, both our membership and participation fees would need to increase dramatically, thereby decreasing the access to sailing and other on-water activities that BYRA supports. We would be just another commercial club feeding the stereotype of 'sailing as an elite sport'.

However, we also understand that people have busy lives, and shoehorning volunteering responsibilities into them can be tricky. To best manage this, we welcome one-on-one conversations with all new members to understand how they can best contribute in a manner that works for their unique circumstances. For some, this may be volunteering on the ground during key events. For others, it may be writing the occasional news article for the BYRA website, done remotely from BYRA and at times that suit them best.

Check out the dedicated volunteering page for detailed information on the various tasks and responsibilities of keeping BYRA afloat.

Please also feel free to speak with existing volunteers. You may be surprised by how many people have formed new friendships and gained new knowledge and skills through the experience. For us, the magic happens when we make volunteering a win-win for members. We can also guarantee plenty of laughter along the way.

I have another question, what do I do?

Feel free to send it to Commodore@byra.com.au, and if it is not addressed elsewhere on the website, we will add it here!