Sailing is a sport for life and one where different age groups and genders can participate together. As well as the skill of sailing, participants learn about water safety, weather, tides, navigation, 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 and hence children progress through levels at their own pace. Regular participation in club sailing will significantly contribute to your child’s confidence and skill level. Junior Membership of the club is €120 and will entitle you to €40 discount on the sailing course for week 1 and €60 for week 2. Should you choose to join after booking the course, please contact the centre principal to activate your discount.

Levels Offered:

The club follow the Irish Sailing course structure
The following are offered each week in the club.

Start Sailing (Level 1)
Basic Skills (Level 2)

Improving Skills (Level 3) to be booked through dedicated level 3&4 booking options.

Level 4 courses are subject to demand and will be advertised separately:

Advanced Boat Handling (Level 4) to be booked through dedicated level 3&4 booking options.
Start Racing (Level 4) to be booked through dedicated level 3&4 booking options.
Kites & Wires (Level 4) to be booked through dedicated level 3&4 booking options.
Adventure (Level 4) to be booked through dedicated level 3&4 booking options.

Conditions for acceptance for JSC

1. Applicants must be at least 10 yrs old, a dedicated half-day course is available aimed at novices who are 9 or 10. The centre principal may, at their discretion, allow younger children to take part where there is a strong prior background to watersports. The decision whether or not to accept younger children shall rest with the centre principal only)
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. We strongly recommend that all applicants of Basic Skills (level 2) and above, book a minimum of two weeks.

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 dependent 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. Unfavourable weather conditions will not be grounds for refunds.
• Trainees will be allocated a place in groups based on their sailing skillset. Our courses offer an ideal opportunity for children to make new friends and mix with others. Sligo Yacht Club cannot accommodate children being placed with friends/family unless there are pressing extenuating circumstances. If you feel that this applies to your child please contact the Centre Principal Nancy Rooney, prior to making your booking. Refunds will not be issued based on group allocation.
• Where a place is cancelled with less than 1 weeks notice prior to the start of the course, a refund will only be issued where SYC is able to fill the cancelled slot. All cancellations must be done by email to the Centre Principal, Nancy Rooney, training@sligoyachtclub.ie .
• Trainees become temporary members of Sligo Yacht Club for the duration of the course.

Course Times:

Each course runs from 9.30 – 4.30pm Monday to Friday. SYC is not responsible for any course participant outside these times. All participants should arrive at the club in their sailing gear no later than 9.30am. Participants travelling on public transport will be given access to changing rooms on arrival. Participants will be given the opportunity to change at the end of the day but there will be strictly no access to shower facilities and all changing rooms have to be vacated no later than 4.45pm. Parents will have no access to changing rooms.

Sailing Gear:

• Full Wetsuit: full wetsuit will protect your child from the elements and helps against knocks and bruises climbing in and out of boats.
• Cag: A weather/wind protector jacket.
• Buoyancy Aid: snug, secure fit. While buoyancy aids can be rented from the club for a €20 fee per week, it is strongly recommended that participants have their own aid, that is adjusted and suited to their weight and body shape. They can be purchased locally at Sunset Watersports, in Greer's yard. Rental fees will be paid Monday morning of the course in cash or by Revolut).
• Wetsuit booties are ideal, but an old pair of trainers will do. These protect the feet when launching the boats and aid warmth. Bare feet, slides or crocs are not suitable.
• Swimwear for under the wetsuit.
• Rash Vest: helps prevent friction with the salt water and neoprene.
• Towel.
• Any medication taken, such as inhalers.
• Sun Cream.
• Warm, woolly hat and/or cap for sunny weather. Helps protect against knocks (from boom mostly!)
• Sailing Gloves: fingerless gloves are useful but not essential.
• Suitable warm change of clothing for after sailing. e.g. hoodie/fleece.
• Wet Bag/Tub/Box for wet gear
• Long hair: please tie-up.

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.

There will be no shower facilities or routine morning access to changing rooms at the club house. Trainees should arrive in their sailing gear. They may change at the end of the day but all gear must be taken home and all participants must depart no later than 4.45pm. The toilets will be accessible throughout the day.

If a trainee feels unwell at home they should not be brought to the club and the centre principal or senior instructor should be informed. In the event of a trainee not attending the course due to illness SYC will not be providing a refund or rescheduling missed days.