| Q: | Do I have to belong to a club to fish off my ski in Durban? |
| A: | Yes. Just like owning a motor vehicle, one has to register it before it can be taken on the road. Clubs were formed on the instructions of the Harbour Authorities to take care of all the safety aspects of the various types of water craft. All craft need to be registered with a club to operate within the Harbour Master’s jurisdiction. The Water Police regularly patrol the area and fine all unregistered craft. |
| Q: | Do I need to carry any safety equipment? |
| A: | Yes. Our club requires members to carry at all times on the water, one life jacket per member, one hand-held (distress) flare, one smoke flare, (both flares must be valid for the full year), an anchor (minimum size 1.5 kg) with chain and 30 metres of rope, a stainless steel signaling mirror, a 1st Aid kit, and a paddle lanyard that must be tied to the ski. Crocker skis also need to have a capsize rope fitted and a front towing bollard. If you only intend to paddle and not fish, you will only be required to carry a life jacket and one flare – either a smoke or distress flare. |
| Q: | Will I be able to fish or paddle in Durban Harbour? |
| A: | Yes, in permitted areas only. A Portnet disc is obtained by the club on your behalf, which must be carried at all times in the harbour and in the open sea. |
| Q: | How do I go about joining the Durban Paddle Ski Club? |
| A: | You will need to fill in an application form with a passport size photo and submit it to the club for consideration. Once the committee accepts the application, you will be notified by telephone and asked to bring your ski and equipment for inspection and registration. |
| Q: | How much does membership costs? |
| A: | Refer to the Fees section on this website menu. |
| Q: | Can I store my ski on the club’s premises? |
| A: | Yes we are planning on providing bunker storage and lockers at the new club house. |
| Q: | I am not experienced to launch through big surf. Is the club launching site any safer? |
| A: | We have the safest and most sheltered launching site on the entire Natal coastline. The best conditions are created after the south-westerly wind has blown itself out, making the launch site totally flat. During strong north-easterly winds, the surf does become a little rough which can at times prevent us from launching. |
| Q: | How old does one need to be before he/she can become a member? |
| A: | According to maritime regulations, one has to be at least sixteen years of age before going to sea alone on a registered craft. The club will however, allow a child of fourteen to launch its own ski, as long as the parent, who must be a member, accompanies the child on the water at all times and is fully responsible for the child’s safety |
| Q: | Is the club opened every day of the week? |
| A: | The plan is for the new club house to be open every day except Monday and Tuesday. |
| Q: | Can I join the club if I do not own a ski? |
| A: | Yes you may join as a social member. |
| Q: | What if I do not wish to fish, but just paddle? |
| A: | Yes, the club accommodates paddlers as well. You will need to carry a life jacket and one flare on the water. |
| Q: | Are there any safety officers on duty whilst members are out at sea? |
| A: | The control and administration of the BEACH PROTOCOL (which controls access, launch & safety) has been given to Ski Boat club, by the Port Captain. They will have a safety officer on duty but only on weekends at this stage. More information will be added as it comes to hand. |
| Q: | Can I fish after dark? |
| A: | Absolutely not! As per Harbour Authorities regulations, you may launch your ski 30 minutes before the official sunrise and be off the water 30 minutes after the official sunset. Although these hours are displayed on the club’s notice board, it is your responsibility to know them. |
| Q: | What angling licenses do I need? |
| A: | You will need the normal fishing licence as well as the “fishing off a craft” licence. A crew member fishing with the ski owner need not have the extra license. These licenses can be bought at any post office. |
| Q: | Where can I read the latest Durban Paddle Ski Club news? |
| A: | News about the club will be updated on this DPSC website as well as on the Whatsapp group. A new Facebook page which will show combined activities at the new beach club concerning both PYC and DPSC members, is in the process of being created. |