Learning Through Doing

Our Schools Sailing Programme began in 2018 — and our Fairwinds graduates have gone on to:

Work as Sailing Instructors around the country
Race locally and nationally
Study Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
Race Round Ireland
Work as Yacht Delivery Crew across Europe

…and they had serious fun getting there.

This isn’t babysitting.
It’s proper sailing.

Programme Schedule

1 x 3.5 hour session per week
Four consecutive weeks in Autumn
Four consecutive weeks in Spring

This Spring, we will take the two-week Easter break off and resume on 17th April.

Cost: €160 per season (4-session block)
Who: All school years welcome

Real Progression

We follow the Irish Sailing syllabus, building strong practical and theoretical skills at every level.

Across Autumn and Spring, sailors progress from Start Sailing through to Improving Skills (QQI certified).

We train on J24 keelboats with instructors onboard at all times — ensuring safety, structure and instant coaching.

Within the first few sessions, sailors are confidently:

Rigging the boat
Launching and returning to a mooring
Tacking and gybing
Sailing upwind, downwind and across the wind
Performing Man Overboard manoeuvres

No passengers. Everyone has responsibility.

As skills improve, the challenge increases.

The 4 Essentials

Everything we teach comes back to the fundamentals:

Boat Balance
Sail Set
Boat Trim
Course Made Good

Sailors don’t just learn the theory — they develop the feel.

Along the way they build:

Leadership
Decision-making
Communication
Teamwork

Because keelboat sailing is always about the crew.

Student Information

Communication

All updates are shared via the Fairwinds Parent & Instructor WhatsApp Group.

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

What to Bring

Come prepared for Irish conditions:

Warm outdoor layers
Waterproof jacket
Hat and gloves (gardening gloves work perfectly for rope handling)
Old runners or boots with grip

No wetsuits required — we sail larger keelboats.

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

Bring your own buoyancy aid if you have one. Spares are available.

Session Times

Morning Session:
9:00am – 12:30pm
(No supervision before 9:00am)

Afternoon Session (returning sailors):
1:30pm – 5:00pm
(No supervision outside these hours)

Half-day sessions — no lunch required.

Session allocation will be confirmed via the WhatsApp group during the week the course begins.

Prompt drop-off and collection is essential.

Phones

Phones and speakers are not permitted on the water.

They may be left in your child’s bag in our secure lockup ashore.
Wild West Sailing accepts no responsibility for lost or damaged items.

Course Structure & Policy

The course runs over four consecutive Fridays.
There will be no sailing during the Easter Holidays 2026 (2 Fridays).

If strong winds prevent sailing, sessions move to structured theory, ropework and technical drills. We use the time productively.

Refunds are not issued due to adverse weather or illness.

Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the course start time.

Refund requests must be submitted in writing to:
info@wildwestsailing.com
For the attention of Centre Principal, Dave O’Connor.

FAIRWINDS | BEGINNER | starting 27 March 2026