Sailing Course Information

Information for all sailors attending our Irish Sailing Summer Courses 2018.

The 2018 July Sailing Course will take place over three weeks commencing Monday July 2nd to Friday July 20th.

The 2018 August Sailing Course will take place over three weeks commencing on Tuesday August 7th to Friday August 24th.

2018 Junior Try Sailing Taster Course runs from Monday July 23rd to Friday July 27th in two course sessions (Morning Course & Afternoon Course).

Details regarding our 2018 Adult Try Sailing Courses will be announced in due course.

The ISA Courses start each day 10am to 5pm with a lunch break from 1pm to 2pm.

Registration is on the first day of the course at 9.30am.

There are limited numbers of club boats available to hire.  These are restricted to Level 1 & 2 Sailors only. Subject to Terms and Conditions including Deposit required covering any damage or loss of boat/equipment.

Application forms are now available to download here.

Logbooks were used to track the progress of sailors previously. Irish Sailing introduced a new system of online sailing passports in 2017.  These are organised by the Club and your sailor will receive log on information when you register for the course.

Levels

Irish Sailing introduced a new syllabus a number of years ago.  A number of new levels were introduced so there is a lot more choice in what kind of sailing is available. Information on the current syllabus can be found here.

Please look at the information on this site for the level you are doing.

The new levels correspond to the old syllabus as follows

• Start Sailing - old Level 1
• Basic Skills - old Level 2
• Improving Skills - old Level 3

Once sailors have completed Improving Skills there is a choice of levels:

"Advanced Boat Handling" is a stepping-stone from the first 3 levels to the more advanced levels. The skills learned in this course are important in all aspects of sailing so it is a good general course to do.

• Go Racing 1- an introduction to various types of competitive sailing.
• Adventure 1 - sailing further, navigation, chartwork and taking day trips.
• Kites and Wires 1- an introduction to using a trapeze and spinnaker.

Once a sailor has completed two of these courses they can progress to Go Racing 2, Adventure 2 or Kites and Wires 2 (naturally sailors should have completed the corresponding number 1 course).

Passing your level is not the be all and end all of the course. Instructors will let you know how you are progressing throughout the course. If you don’t achieve the level that you are going for don’t worry, you have still got lots of experience on the water and you will hopefully have had lots of fun doing so. There is no need to rush through all the levels, take your time, learn lots and enjoy it.

Wristbands

We use a wristband system to keep track of sailors on the water. Each sailor is assigned a wristband that has a unique number and colour corresponding to their level. Sailors must take the wristband and wear it when they are going on the water and then return it when they come back in, both in the morning and the afternoon This is vitally important so that we can account for everybody on and off the water.

Valuables

It is not advised to bring valuables with you to the course, but if necessary there is a safe box behind the bar.

Gear list

What you wear when sailing has a big effect on whether you will enjoy the experience or not. If a child is too cold or gets sunburnt they are unlikely to want to get out on the water again!

What to wear…

Buoyancy Aid - make sure it fits properly and it is appropriate for the weight of the sailor. If it is damaged it needs to be replaced.

Wetsuit - Ireland is too cold not to wear a wetsuit! Sailors must wear a wetsuit. Even if it appears sunny the water is still very cold.

Footwear- wetsuit boots (booties) or old runners are appropriate. Flip flops are not allowed in and around the sailing club or when sailing as they do not protect the feet and can fall off easily.

• Kag/Windbreaker
• Swimming togs
• Rash Vest
• Sailing Gloves
• Hat- for hot or cold weather
• Sun cream
• Sunglasses

Bring with you…

Towel & shampoo/shower gel.

Plastic bag to put wet clothes in.

Packed lunch.

Boats

Please make sure your boat is seaworthy and has all the rigging and equipment needed. On the first day of the course the instructors will do a safety check on all the boats (see list required at minimum below).  If your boat is deemed unseaworthy, or unavailable for whatever reason, we cannot guarantee your child will be on the water until the situation is rectified.  So please get organised!.

Please also ensure that each boat has a trolley marked with the sailors name and sail number where appropriate.

Sail Numbers

All boats MUST have sail numbers on their sails this Summer (2018).  This enables instructors to readily identify sailors on the water and allows recorders to take finishing results for Wednesday and Saturday racing.  Numbers can be purchased in any local chandlery and all numbers can be constructed from "digit 8's".  A guide to putting numbers on your sail can be found here.  We recommend that this is done at home on a flat surface/floor when the sail is clean and dry and not on the pier on day one of the course!. Your sail number should match your hull number (which can be found on a manufacturers plate on your boat). 

Safety Checklist

• All boats must have a painter (rope at the front of the boat for tying up/towing), optimists must have a large bailer.
• Boat trolley must be working properly and appropriate for the boat.
• Check hull for and cracks or other damage.
• Check spars, daggerboard, tiller and rudder for damage.
• Check sails for any tears or worn areas that could rip when in-use.
• Check all ropes for wear.
• Make sure there is no water in the hull and any bungs or inspection hatches are present and fit properly.

Adult Introduction To Sailing Course

The Adult introduction to sailing course takes place each year aboard a 1720 sailing boat. It is open to all adult club members. Full details will be published here when available.  Interested members should contact the club house for further information on 028 20426.

If you are unsure how to rig your boat you can click the links below for instructions

Optimist http://www.iodai.com/live/480.html

Topper http://www.topperireland.com

Topaz, Taz http://www.toppersailboats.com/downloads.aspx

Laser http://www.laserperformance.com/laser-radial/rigging-guide

Pico http://www.laserperformance.com/pico/home

420 http://www.cautionwater.com/article.aspx?articleid=69

Laser 2 http://www.cautionwater.com/article.aspx?articleid=92

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