Sailing is a sport for life and one where different age groups and genders can participate together. As well as the skill of sailing particpants learn about water safety, weather, tides, naviagation, planning and working with others.

Our sailing courses are primarily aimed at your child having fun. However, we also endeavour to assist your child progress their sailing abilities, to become a competent and confident sailor. Sailing skill development happens at different paces for different children.

Levels Offered:

1. “SYC Sailing Summer Camp” SYC Certified
2. ISA Level 1: Start Sailing
3. ISA Level 2: Basic Skills
4. ISA Level 3: Improving Skills
5. ISA Level 4: Advance Boat Handling
6. ISA Level 5: Go Racing

Conditions for acceptance for JSC

1.Applicant must be at least 9 yrs or have previous sailing experience
2.All applicants shall have the following swim ability of 25 metre swim, 2 minutes treading water and 10 seconds under water. This may be tested and it is done in normal sailing gear without lifejacket. The aim of the test is for both confidence and competence in the water, both essential in sailing.
3.All applicants of Improving Skills (ISA level3) and above must have their own boat or a regular place in a dinghy.

We strongly recommend that all applicants of Basic Skills (level 2) and above, in particular those that have not regularly sailed since their last sailing course, book a minimum of two weeks.

Parents are encouraged to assist in aspects of the shored based activities i.e. catering, slipway duty etc.

Booking Conditions

• Sligo Yacht Club reserve the right to cancel a course if there are insufficient bookings. Fees will be refunded if we cancel a course.
• All trainees agree to abide by Sligo Yacht Club - Code of Conduct.
• Trainees or their legal guardians (in the case of trainees under 18yrs of age) agree that SYC may take their photograph or videos during the course and may use such material for training or on our website or other publicity material.
• Sailing is a weather dependant sport and every effort will be made to make the best use of the prevailing and forecast conditions at the time of the course. However safety is paramount and sailing may be curtailed due to adverse weather conditions.

Course Times:

Each course runs from 9.30 – 5.00pm Monday to Friday. SYC is not responsible for any course participant outside these times. . (This is a full day and provides great value for money!)

Thursday Nights: A Supervised Sailing evening will take place every Thursday Night. This will give past and current course participants an opportunity to experience club racing under the supervision of qualified instructors. This will improve your child’s retention of skills learned on the course. In addition it is a great opportunity for you as parents to see your child on the water.

Sailing Gear:

• Wetsuit: half or full, full helps against knocks and bruises climbing in and out of boats.
• Cag: A weather/wind protector jacket (not essential)
• Buoyancy Aid: snug, secure fit.
• Wetsuit booties are ideal, but an old pair of trainers will do. These protect the feet when launching the boats and aid warmth.
• Swimwear for under the wetsuit
• Rash Vest: helps prevent friction with the salt water and neoprene.
• Towel and Shower Toiletries
• Any medication taken, such as inhalers
• Sun Cream
• Sun Glasses (secure fit - likely to get dropped in water.)
• Warm, woolly hat. Helps protect against knocks (from boom mostly!)
• Sailing Gloves: fingerless gloves are useful.
• Suitable warm change of clothing for after sailing. e.g. hoodie/fleece.
• Wet Bag/Tub/Box for wet gear
• Long hair: please tie-up.

We have a limited number of Buoyancy aids for rent - €20 per week. (Please speak to Senior Sailing Instructor or Course Manager to organise if needed.)

There will be days when weather conditions will prevent some or all course participants going on the water. This cannot be avoided and shore-based activities (a trip to the RNLI Station or sailing related activities on the beach) will be organised in lieu. For this reason, course participants are required to bring dry clothes with them to change into during the day when necessary.

All possessions should be taken home every evening and sailing gear should be rinsed.