Improving Skills & Advanced Boat Handling

Our level 3 & 4 courses are sailed in double handed dinghies, predominantly Mirrors, and aim to prepare our Juniors to become active club sailors. In weeks where there are less than 6 participants for each of the levels, SYC reserve the option to combine levels 3 & 4 in 1 group. Sailors in combined groups will be evaluated on the curriculum pertaining to their own level.

Improving Skills (level 3) aims to get sailors to confidently handle their boat in moderate conditions, making informed decisions and optimising the boat for expected conditions. Sailors will be expected to log at least 10 hours of sailing in their course log book in addition to their course hours to achieve this level. Participants who do not partake in club sailing have the option of booking skill sessions to achieve these hours or may attend Thursday night club sailing for the duration of the summer sailing courses.

Advanced Boat Handling (Level 4) aims to teach advanced boat handling and tuning skills, including a clear understanding of how sails and foils work together, preparing sailors to sail flat out in strong winds. This course is aimed at sailors who take regular part in club sailing or equivalent sailing activity. It is an essential requirement for those wishing to pursue instructorship. Sailors will be expected to log at least 20 hours of sailing in their course log book in addition to their course hours to achieve this level.

Club membership and access to their own boat or a regular spot in club racing will significantly advance a young sailor's skill level and ability to progress through these levels. Junior membership is €120 per season and entitles your child to attend club sailing on Tuesday and Thursday evening as well as regular Sunday afternoons. Mirrors which are the junior boat of choice for our club are an affordable double handed dinghy. A limited amount of boats are available to rent for juniors wishing to take part who do not have access to their own boat. Please contact the Centre Principal if you would like any information on membership and/or boat ownership/rental.

In order to introduce all of our level 3 & 4 sailors to club sailing, the Thursday session of the course will start at 2pm and finish at 9pm. The first part of the day will consist of normal course work, followed by participation in club sailing in the evening. This evening session is an integral part of the course and your child will expected to attend. The Thursday evening hours may be used as log hours providing the sailor records them in their logbook and has them signed of by either their instructor, the Race Officer or the Centre Principal.

Alternative level 4 courses as well as Introduction to keelboat sailing will be delivered subject to demand. If your child has any interest in booking any of the below, please contact the Centre Principal for more information.

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.

Course Times:

Level 3 and 4 courses runs from 9.30 – 4.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 2.00 - 9.00pm on Thursdays. 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 or 2pm on Thursdays. 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 (9.15pm on Thursdays). Parents will have no access to changing rooms. On Thursday evenings the changing rooms will be shared with club members.

Conditions for acceptance for JSC

1. Applicants must be at least 11 yrs old.
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 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.

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.

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.