WHSC Youth Sailing Courses 2023

• It is recommended that our young sailors get as much experience on the water as possible beyond their 2 week sailing course . This should be achieved by participating in dinghy racing on a Wednesday evening and on Saturdays, or alternatively by getting involved with water time or cruiser racing on Sunday’s. Levels improving skills and above are tricky levels to pass and require sailors to not only participate in the course , but they must have a logged 20 hours on the water. Time on the water with your boat is essential to become a competent, confident sailor.

• All sailors must pass the previous level before acceptance into the next course level. If a level has not been achieved in the year, the course must be completed in full again the next year. It is important to note that every year some sailors may not achieve their levels. We advise that parents explain this possibility to the children to avoid disappointment. Our instructors are guided by the Irish Sailing Association. Sailing is a life skill and hobby but safety on the water is paramount. No child should be pushed beyond their limits and capabilities. Confidence is gained slowly through their experience of sailing. As your child progresses through the sailing courses you can check on-line their levels via https://irishsailing.checklick.com/. This is the on line portal used by the sailing instructors to log your child’s achievements. New members must attach certification of levels achieved with their application forms.

• Boat rentals of optimist and topper sailing boats will be assigned once confirmation of a place on a course. We will be in contact with those parents to arrange payment and to facilitate this. Unfortunately the club has a limited number of boats for rental. These will be prioritised for new sailors Cara na Mara,  start sailing and Basic skills. To increase the likelihood of sailors participation we would encourage children to have their own boat.

• Booking applications will be made via a jotform link which will be released with sailing calender. Submission of form does not constitute confirmation of a place on a course. Courses can only be booked by fully paid up members. An email confirming your booking will be sent to you.

• All payments for courses will be taken via GoCardless system once courses are confirmed.

• If parents are looking to discuss their child’s progress during a course please can you book a slot  with the Senior Instructor outside of course time.

• Boat insurance is essential if you are using your own boat during the course. This will be required when applying.
• Shore duty Parents may be rostered to aid instructors for a morning or afternoon, in supervision particularly of children if for any  reason they cannot participate. If rostered the parent will be required to be in the club and help supervise children during lunch.

Below is an outline of the skills each level of sailing course is hoping to attain. We have indicated a minimal age for each course. This  is to ensure our sailors are progressing appropriately through the levels allowing them sufficient time during the season to hone their newly learnt skills. Only one sailing qualification per year may be obtained, except for Teen Sailing and Go Racing. Go Racing can be accredited the same year as ABH or Kites & Wires or Adventurer. You can book and attain another course that you qualify for, but will not be assessed for the second course, but you will become a better sailor!

• We are introducing Cara Na Mara for the first time. This is aimed at 7-9 year olds. This is a one week half day course morning 9:30- 13:00 or  afternoon 14:00-17:30. This aims to introduce sailing to young children allowing them to explore and enjoy the water and outdoor environment.

• Start sailing . Minimum age 9. This is a 2 week course of half days either mornings 09:30- 13:00 or afternoons 14:00-17:30. By the end of this course the sailor will be sailing in light winds with assistance from your instructor.

• Basic skills. Minimum age 10. This week a 2 week course 09:30- 16:00. By the end of this course the sailor will be sailing on their own in light winds.

• Improving Skills minimum age 11years. This is a 2 week full day course 9:30-17:30. It is recommended that if a child has not been sailing regularly that they need to do so prior to this course at least 10 hours at helm. This course helps sailors to learn and demonstrate skills required to tune their boats in varying weather conditions.

• Advanced boat handing age 12-13. This is a 2 week full day course 09:30-17:30. A minimum of 20 hours as helm is recommended for this course. This is a difficult level to achieve and many sailors require 2 years to succeed. Skills required include roll tack and roll gybe  in all weather conditions.

• Start Racing Toppers age 13/14/15. This is a 2 week full day course 09:30-17:30. A minimum of 20 hours experience as a helm is required for this course as well as Advanced Boat Handling and above courses. This level is hoping to develop the sailors skills so they can comfortably race at club and inter club level. It teaches racing rules, sailing tactics strategies and techniques. This is a great course to help give the sailor the confidence to compete at any level. Particularly good course for those planning on participating in topper worlds Cork in July.
• Teen sailing: min age 13. This is a 2 week full day course 09:30-17:30. This course allows teens who are late to sailing, to do Start Sailing and Basic Skills in a 2 week course, with peers of the same level. A great way to make friends and develop our sailing skills.

• Kites and wires minimal age 14. This is a 2 week full day course 09:30-17:30. This course is to introduce sailors to the thrills and spills of sailing with spinnakers and trapezes. Sailors should have a minimum of 20 hours experienced as helm before they can attempt this course. This course uses 420s and wayfarers. As part of this course, sailors should be able to recover a dinghy that has capsized  with the Spinnaker up and be able to recover a man overboard in moderate to strong winds.

• Adventure minimal age15. This is a 2 week full day course 09:30-17:30. This course aims to give you the skills and knowledge you will need in order to undertake longer trips and to sail in stronger winds. As well as understanding weather fronts and sea conditions, this course includes navigation. It also covers sailing under adverse circumstances. It also exposes sailors to a variety of different dinghy classes ( wayfarers, 420’s etc). This year,  the club have made adventure a compulsory course for those looking to teach in  the future in WHSC. Dunmore is a wonderful place to sail but it is notorious for its tides,  shifting weather fronts and big seas. We feel this course gives the sailor the breath of knowledge and experience necessary to master our conditions and keep our fleet safe.

• Assistant instructor age 16+. We have a number of sailors who are 16 + and have completed adventurer, who may be interested in gaining further sailing  This is aimed at those considering to apply to become an instructor in the next year. In order to participate you must have a power boat level 2, be Garda vetted via Irish Sailing Association and have safe guarding 1  course ( again via Irish Sailing Association ) . This course will involve helping our instructors to teach, setting up and driving ribs, rigging sail boats and maintaining the clubs fleet of dinghies.

• Adult sailing. This course is either mornings 09:30- 13:00 or afternoon 14:00-17:30. It is aimed at all adults keen to get out on the water. It covers a range of sailing levels including those new to the sport and those with experience looking to progress.

Click here for information on Course Costs.

Click here for the Course Schedule.

Click to open the 2023 Youth Sailing Course Application Form