The change to Rule 46 in the Racing Rules of Sailing is scheduled to be implemented from 1 January 2022, which will now requires all competitors in any race to be a member of a club.

The change to Rule 46 centres around duty of care, safety and insurance, but also offers clubs the opportunity to grow their membership base and create clearer lines of communication with potential members.

This article will highlight some of the ways in which clubs are implementing the changes, including the use of SailPass to help process flexible memberships.

Being a member of a club and registered with Australian Sailing gives clubs information about who is racing which is an important part of their approach to safety. Being registered with Australian Sailing also provides a basic personal injury insurance which serves as a safety net to people who, through injury or accident, incur financial loss.

The change was scheduled to be implemented from 1 January 2021, but was postponed for a year  allowing affiliated clubs extra time to focus on restarting sailing and club house operations after the impacts of the COVID pandemic.

To assist clubs to comply with the rule change, Australian Sailing has developed SailPass which is a tool available for clubs to provide short term, introductory or other flexible membership arrangements for non-member competitors. SailPass is being used by many clubs around Australia.

Registration with SailPass provides sailors with an Australian Sailing number and basic insurance, which serves as a safety net for sailors. Implementing SailPass also provides an inclusive way for prospective new members to get involved.

If a sailor from another club wants to sail at your club, you can use SailPass to ensure you have their details in your database, should you need them if a safety issue arises.

Pricing Structures

The pricing structure of SailPass is entirely dictated by each respective club. Some clubs have chosen to charge a flat fee for a SailPass, others charge nothing for the first few SailPasses and then have tiered charges as more SailPasses are purchased. Some clubs set a maximum number of uses before the SailPass holder is required to become a full club member.

It is important to note that Australian Sailing does not receive any of the funds if your club chooses to charge for SailPass.

Setting Up Sail Pass inn revSPORT

SailPass can be set up in your club’s Revolutionise Sport database as a temporary membership. Further information and instructions can be found here. If you require further support to set up SailPass then please contact one of Australian Sailing’s Club Services Officers in your state.

Please note that revSPORT has a high level of data security and privacy. Member data is stored securely and can only be accessed by your club’s account administrators.

To answer any further questions on the changes to rule 46 & how SailPass can assist clubs to comply with the rule change, Australian Sailing has created a list of FAQs which provide further information here 

Some yacht clubs are utilising  API integration between  revSPORT and their third-party membership system.  More information about use of the API system can be found here.

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Below are a few examples of pricing structures and strategies that clubs have used to implement SailPass
 
Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron (South Australia)

The Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron charges $25 for a SailPass for a weekend race or $100 for 15 weekend races. They also offer unlimited free SailPasses for their Wednesday and Thursday Twilight races.

This has allowed prospective members to experience their club first-hand and has successfully converted SailPass holders into crew memberships and created a more attainable way for non-sailors to get involved.
 
Mornington Yacht Club (Victoria)

Mornington Yacht Club has structured their SailPass offerings as 4 sails free of charge and the following four SailPasses cost $15 per sail. Following use of the SailPass system, members are required to become a crew member with all SailPass payments deducted from the membership cost.

Mornington have used the SailPass option to welcome new female members into their club. The reduced barriers to getting involved with sailing via SailPass has been welcomed by various new participants who went on to become members.
 
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (New South Wales)

Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club offer free SailPasses for use in weekday and weekend racing. This includes Womens Twilight as well as weeknight and weekend racing. SailPass users can select to purchase a one off SailPass or select all races in the series.

They have recently updated their website to simplify the process for non-members who are unfamiliar with where to start when getting involved. Their step-by-step guide simplifies the process and can be accessed here. They have also set it up as a QR code which is on posters around the club.  
 
Southport Yacht Club (Queensland)

Southport Yacht Club charges $20 per SailPass for use in their Wednesday and Thursday Twilight races as well as Offshore races. Non-members can purchase up to three SailPasses and are then credited the initial cost and provided with the option of using it towards the $20, $40 or $60 towards the bar or future membership cost.

They use an inquiry system to match up SailPass holders with skippers for their Wednesday and Thursday Twilight races as well as Offshore races. Since implementing the SailPass offer, Southport Yacht Club has had a 20% uptake into club membership.