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Darwin College Punt Club 2009/2010

Important changes for the 2009-2010 punting season

• Punt club memberships are now valid for one calendar year.
• The membership cost is £30 for one year of membership.
• Punt club cards will no longer be issued. To sign out a punt, you must leave your Cambridge ID card at the Porters Lodge.

The Admiral of Punts has worked in conjunction with the College, DCSA, and Porters Lodge to further refine the administration of the Punt Club membership scheme. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this season's changes, please feel free to contact me at punts@dar.cam.ac.uk.

Booking a punt

Booking a punt is easy! Simply visit the Porters Lodge to enquire about availability and make a booking. Note: phone or e-mail bookings are no longer accepted! We are working on an automatic on-line booking system, but until that is in place (hopefully by mid-summer 2010) you must visit the Porters Lodge in person to reserve a punt.

Punts can be booked on the day or in advance, on a first come first served basis. Weekends are the busiest period, and therefore booking in advance is essential. During the week you will usually be able to take a punt out without booking - but it is still recommended so you are not disappointed. Members may only book punts for a maximum of 2 hours a day, and only one punt may be taken at any one time. If booking well in advance, one Darwin member may either book two punts simultaneously or a single punt for 5 hours to make the trip to Grantchester.

For more information, please read the complete Terms and Conditions below.

Darwin Alumni

If you are an ex-Darwin member and not resident in Cambridge, then you are eligible to apply for temporary membership. This is a pay-per-outing system designed for Darwin alumni, visiting Cambridge, to enable you to take out the punts without having to take out full membership. For more information, please email me at punts@dar.cam.ac.uk.

Kayaks and Canoes

Kayaks and canoes are also available from the punt shed. The open/Canadian canoe will be stored in the water at the Granta punting company and can also be booked in advance there or taken, if available on the day.

Basic Punting for Darwinians

We are currently working to create an electronic version of the guide titled "Basic Punting for Darwinians." In the meantime, please e-mail your Admiral of Punts or visit the Porter's lodge to learn about the basics of punting on the Cam.

Punt Club Membership Terms and Conditions

All punt and kayak club members must confirm that they understand, and agree to, the following terms and conditions:

1. One-year memberships will be sold for 30 (nonrefundable) and are valid for one calendar year. Single outing Memberships will be sold for 10 (nonrefundable).
2. Punts and kayaks may only be booked, and pre-booked, with a valid University ID at the Porter's lodge or with the Admiral of the Punts.
3. Punts and kayaks may only be borrowed for up to two hours on a given day without prior permission from a Porter or the Admiral of the Punts.
4. Only a full-time member is allowed to book 2 punts for a 1-time use. Only 6 members are allowed in a single punt.
5. Members must abide by the following rules during outings in order to retain club membership, which can be rescinded at the discretion of a Porter or the Admiral of the Punts:
   1. Members must sign the "Darwin College Punt and Kayak Club Sign-Up" sheet in the club sign-up folder.
   2. Punters must read through the Basic Punting for Darwinians guide in the club sign up folder before their initial outing.
   3. Members will remain with the punt or kayak that they booked for the entirety of the outing, ensuring that equipment is used safely and responsibly.
   4. Punts and kayaks must be returned promptly within the timeframe allotted.
   5. Pre-booked punts and kayaks must be claimed promptly at the agreed upon time.
   6. Punts must be moored in their allocated place by chaining both ends of the punt to the bank and locking the padlock.
   7. All equipment borrowed must be returned to the punt house after an outing.
   8. Keys must be returned to the Porter.s lodge promptly after an outing.
   9. Members are responsible for all equipment borrowed during an outing and agree to replace any equipment that is lost, stolen, or damaged due to negligence.
   10. Any damage is to be reported to the Porter in person and to the Admiral of the Punts at: (punts@dar.cam.ac.uk).
   11. The punt house must be kept in good order and locked when not in use.