The sailing course starts at 10.30am and is finished at 5.30pm. Boats should be rigged by 10.30am so we can get sailing as quickly as possible. Lunch is from 1.30pm to 2.30pm, sailors may leave the club but must be back by 2.20pm. If sailors wish to stay around the club there will be a parent on duty to supervise.

Logbooks are used on the course to track the progress of sailors. Please make sure you bring yours along, or if you don’t have on they can be purchased in the club.

Levels

The ISA have introduced a new syllabus. There are several new levels so there is a lot more choice in what kind of sailing you want to do. Information on the new syllabus can be found here http://www.sailing.ie/inside/default.asp?pageId=214

Please look at the information on this site for the level you are doing.

The new levels correspond to the old syllabus as follows

• Start Sailing - old Level 1
• Basic Skills - old Level 2
• Improving Skills - old Level 3

Once sailors have completed Improving Skills there is a choice of levels;

‘Advanced Boat Handling’ is a stepping-stone from the first 3 levels to the more advanced levels. The skills learned in this course are important in all aspects of sailing so it is a good general course to do.

• Go Racing 1- an introduction to various types of competitive sailing
• Adventure 1 - sailing further, navigation, chartwork and taking day trips
• Kites and Wires 1- an introduction to using a trapeze and spinnaker

Once a sailor has completed two of these courses they can progress to Go Racing 2, Adventure 2 or Kites and Wires 2 (naturally sailors should have completed the corresponding number 1 course)

A diagram explaining all this can be seen here http://www.sailing.ie/pops/courseOverviewPop.asp?image=SBSS3_web.jpg&title=Training%20-%20Small%20Boat%20Sailing%20Scheme

Passing your level is not the be all and end all of the course. Instructors will let you know how you are progressing throughout the course. If you don’t achieve the level that you are going for don’t worry, you have still got lots of experience on the water and you will hopefully have had lots of fun doing so. There is no need to rush through all the levels, take your time, learn lots and enjoy it.

Wristbands

We use a wristband system to keep track of sailors on the water. Each sailor is assigned a wristband that has a unique number and colour corresponding to their level. Sailors must take the wristband and wear it when they are going on the water and then return it when they come back in, both in the morning and the afternoon This is vitally important so that we can account for everybody on and off the water.

Valuables

It is not advised to bring valuables with you to the course, but if necessary there is a safe box behind the bar.

Gear list

What you wear when sailing has a big effect on whether you will enjoy the experience or not. If a child is too cold or gets sunburnt they are unlikely to want to get out on the water again!

What to wear…

Buoyancy Aid- make sure it fits properly and it is appropriate for the weight of the sailor. If it is damaged it needs replacing.

Wetsuit- Ireland is too cold not to wear a wetsuit! Sailors must wear a wetsuit. Even if it appears sunny the water is still very cold.

Footwear- wetsuit boots (booties) or old runners are appropriate. Flip flops are not allowed in and around the sailing club or when sailing as they do not protect the feet and can fall off easily.

• Kag/Windbreaker
• Swimming togs
• Rash Vest
• Sailing Gloves
• Hat- for hot or cold weather
• Sun cream
• Sunglasses

Bring with you…

Towel & shampoo/shower gel

Plastic bag to put wet clothes in

Packed lunch

Boats

Please make sure your boat is seaworthy and has all the rigging and equipment needed. On the first day of the course the instructors will do a safety check on all the boats.

Safety Checklist

• All boats must have a painter (rope at the front of the boat for tying up/towing), optimists must have a large bailer
• Boat trolley must be working properly and appropriate for the boat
• Check hull for and cracks or other damage
• Check spars, daggerboard, tiller and rudder for damage
• Check sails for any tears or worn areas that could rip when in-use
• Check all ropes for wear
• Make sure there is no water in the hull and any bungs or inspection hatches are present and fit properly.

If you are unsure how to rig your boat you can click the links below for instructions

Optimist http://www.iodai.com/live/480.html

Topper http://www.irltopper.com

Topaz, Taz http://www.toppersailboats.com/downloads.aspx

Laser http://www.laserperformance.com/laser-radial/rigging-guide

Pico http://www.laserperformance.com/pico/home

420 http://www.cautionwater.com/article.aspx?articleid=69

Laser 2 http://www.cautionwater.com/article.aspx?articleid=92

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