Rules

Beach Membership Rules

• Upon entering the club, members should check in with a staff member at the main entrance.

• Guests must be signed in and paid for prior to or upon arrival.

• Guests will not be admitted without a member present.

• Members are responsible for conveying club rules to their guests.

• On bad days -i.e.- cloudy, rainy, dark, threatening, etc. we will not be open. If the weather turns bad during club hours, we reserve the right to close early. The beach will be cleared at first sound of thunder and will remain closed for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder is heard. Covered areas are not to be used as storm shelters. Members may wait out minor storms in their vehicles.

• Children are not allowed to play on the boat docks. Shoes are required in the designated fishing and boating areas of the club.

• Fishing is allowed (with adult supervision) in the designated area on the blue docks only.

• Roller skates, in-line skates, and skateboards are not allowed on club property.

• Pets are not allowed on club property or in boats at any time.

• The pavilion, the bathrooms, the boat docks, and the picnic area are not areas for children to play.

• Running and horseplay are not allowed on the beach, docks, or rafts.

• Alcohol Abuse is prohibited. Anyone who appears intoxicated will be removed from club property.

• Anyone who refuses to obey the club rules will be asked to leave the club.

• Please notify the club ahead of time when bringing 8 or more guests. This will facilitate appropriate staffing.

• Large groups of guests/parties will not be permitted during the last two weeks of the season.

• Lost and found articles may be claimed/turned in at the main entrance.

• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Water Rules

• No floats, tubes, or kickboards of any kind are permitted on or near the swim rafts.

• The blue swim raft is a quiet raft. No jumping, diving, or splashing is permitted.

• Water wings are permitted in shallow water only.

• Swimmers with rafts or tubes should not be over their heads.

• Life jackets worn while swimming to the deep-water rafts MUST be kept on. If you cannot swim the distance without a life jacket, you should not take it off when you get there.

• Anyone seen breaking the rules at any time will be removed from the water.

• Flips, back dives, or any other type of gymnastics on or from the rafts are prohibited.

• Swimming under the rafts is prohibited.

 

Lifeguards

• The lifeguards are on duty to assist swimmers in need. Please watch your children carefully.

• The lifeguards are here to enforce the rules and help promote a safer environment. We ask that members please support them in these tasks.

• Upon occasion, the lifeguards may find it necessary to create new rules that promote patron safety.

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**Please explain the risks associated with shallow water diving to your children. This can be

extremely dangerous as well as life-threatening!!!**

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Boating Membership Rules

• Please do not disclose the gate combination to anyone!

• Boats may be launched beginning at 6:00 am per the state of Connecticut.

• Please respect our neighbors!! Launch your boat quietly.

• The club closes promptly at dusk. Please be onshore 15 minutes prior to sunset. Night fishing is not allowed.

• Pets are not allowed in boats or on club property at any time.

• Please be respectful of our limited parking space.

• Members must be present when the boat is launched.

• Guests must be accompanied by a member.

• Members are responsible for conveying club rules to their guests.

• Children must always be with a parent.

• Please respect the privacy of property owners on the lake. Please do not trespass on private property.

• When exiting the club, please do not drive through Tyler’s Cove.

• Boats docked in slips should have bilge pumps.

• It is the boat owner’s responsibility to check on their boats after storms.

• Please be safe! Stay clear of swimmers and unpowered crafts.

• Please make every effort not to transport aquatic life from other lakes and rivers (i.e. weeds, zebra mussels, etc.). Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in a Connecticut state fine and loss of membership. Please contact management for further information.

• Please make every effort to release fish unharmed. Here are some tips: Avoid netting and touching the fish. When not jaw hooked, cut the line close to mouth while fish remains in the water.

• When jaw hooked, use needle-nosed pliers to remove the hook while fish remains in the water.

• Please abide by all Coast Guard Rules of Inland Waterways that include: Each person must have an approved personal flotation device, etc.

• Please report all violations to the Middlebury Police Department (203-577-4028), the Connecticut DEEP (1-800-842-HELP), and Sandy Beach Club (203-758-8480).

• Please abide by all current Connecticut fishing and boating laws that include:

  • The taking of a maximum of one 18” or larger trout per day.

  • The taking of a maximum of one 18” or larger bass per day.

  • 6 MPH maximum boat speed at all times.

• Please dispose of trash in proper containers. No littering!

• No swimming or fishing from club property.

• No picnicking on club property.

• Launch may not be used for any kind of hunting.

• Alcohol abuse is prohibited.

• Anyone who refuses to obey the club rules will be asked to leave the club.

• Be courteous and sportsman-like at all times.

• Lost and found articles may be claimed / turned in at the main gate.

• Please inform us if your vehicle or boat registration information changes during the season.

• Please use common sense during storms for your safety and the safety of others.