FAIR WINDS — RETURNING SAILORS

Welcome Back. Let’s Keep Going.

You know Fair Winds by now.

You know the J24s, the Lake Base, the instructors and probably most of the crew. You’ve already got the fundamentals under your belt — so the afternoon sessions are about building on them and pushing your sailing further.

Fair Winds has always been about progression. Since 2018, young people have come through the programme and gone on to become Sailing Instructors, race locally and nationally, compete in Round Ireland, study Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, and work as yacht delivery crew across Europe.

There’s always something else to learn, another skill to nail and another level to work towards.

This is where we start handing more of the boat over to you.

Four Weeks. Keep Progressing.

Fair Winds runs twice a year, as a four-week block on Fridays, with one 3.5-hour sailing session each week.

Autumn: 4 consecutive weeks
Spring: 4 consecutive weeks
Cost: €160 per four-session block
Who: Returning Fair Winds sailors who have completed at least two previous Fair Winds blocks

Returning Sailors: 1:30pm – 5:00pm

Each block picks up from where you finished last time. Some sailors will be consolidating Basic Skills, others moving into advanced boat handling, racing or taking their first steps towards becoming instructors.

This Time Around

You already know how to rig, tack, gybe and get a J24 moving.

Now we start adding the good stuff.

Depending on experience and level, returning sailors will work on:

• Basic Skills and refining the fundamentals
• Bringing boats safely alongside
• Properly securing and tying up the boats
• Man Overboard recovery
• Advanced helming techniques
• Speed control and close-quarters boat handling
• A dedicated Race Day
• Taking command of the vessel and making decisions as a crew
• Spinnaker sailing and kite handling
• Working towards Advanced Boat Handling (ABH)

And yes — the spinnakers are coming back out this season.

It’s been a few years, and we’re looking forward to getting the kites flying on the J24s again.

Advanced Boat Handling

For our more experienced sailors, Advanced Boat Handling (ABH) is one of the big milestones.

Throughout the block, sailors working towards ABH will build and demonstrate the higher-level boat handling skills required by the Irish Sailing syllabus.

On the final session, those who are ready will have the opportunity to have their ABH skills assessed by our Advanced Instructor.

It’s something to work towards — and something worth earning.

Advanced Sailors & Future Instructors

For sailors who are already beyond the core syllabus, Fair Winds keeps progressing.

Our advanced sailors and members of the Assistant Instructor team will begin working alongside the instructors — helping less experienced sailors, taking greater responsibility onboard and learning what it means to be in command of a vessel and crew.

You’ll still be sailing and developing your own skills, but you’ll also start learning how to pass those skills on.

It’s the natural next step for sailors interested in becoming instructors themselves.

The Four Essentials — Still!

However advanced the sailing gets, we always come back to the same four things:

Boat Balance • Sail Set • Boat Trim • Course Made Good

At this stage, we’re looking for more than knowing what they mean.

We want sailors to feel what the boat is doing, recognise what needs changing and make the adjustment themselves.

That means more independence, more decision-making and less input from the instructor.

Leadership • Communication • Decision-making • Teamwork

On a keelboat, everybody has a job and everybody matters.

THE PRACTICAL STUFF

What to Bring

We sail in Irish weather, so come dressed for it:

• Warm outdoor layers
• Waterproof jacket
• Hat and gloves
• Old runners or boots with good grip
• Buoyancy aid if you have one — we have spares

Gardening gloves are absolutely fine for rope handling.

No wetsuit required. We sail larger keelboats rather than dinghies.

There are no changing facilities at the Lake Base, so please arrive dressed and ready to sail. Toilets are available before and after sessions.

Session Times

Returning Sailors: 1:30pm – 5:00pm

There is no supervision outside these times.

These are half-day sessions, so no lunch is required.

Final session allocation will be confirmed through the Fair Winds Parent & Instructor WhatsApp Group during the week the course begins.

Please be prompt for drop-off and collection.

Communication

Course updates, session information and weather-related changes are shared through the Fair Winds Parent & Instructor WhatsApp Group.

If you need to be added, contact Sophie on 087 959 6607.

Phones

We keep the boats phone and speaker free.

Phones can be left in bags in our secure lockup ashore. Wild West Sailing cannot accept responsibility for lost or damaged personal items.

Weather & Cancellations

Sailing is weather dependent — learning isn't.

If conditions are too strong to sail safely, the session moves ashore for structured theory, ropework and practical sailing skills.

Refunds are not issued for sessions affected by adverse weather or illness.

Cancellations must be made at least 7 days before the course begins.

Refund requests should be submitted in writing to info@wildwestsailing.com, for the attention of Centre Principal Dave O'Connor.