Meet the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School’s instructors participating in the Women at the Helm Event this weekend.
The event is hosted by the National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, and runs Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th August. The helm on each boat must be a women, and men are allowed on boat, but only up to 50% of the crew.
The Team...
Back Row (L-R): Dairne, Jeff, Kate. Front Row (L-R): Fiona, Heather, Emma
Heather Wright
Sailing for: 13 years
Why do you sail?
Sailing is an amazing sport for getting people outside and socialising. It opens up loads of opportunities.
Teaching for: 7 years
What Heather likes most about teaching sailing:
I’m now working full time in the industry and love nothing more than watching children progress both in sailing skills, and transferable life skills.
How can more women be encouraged to the sport of sailing?
Let them helm!
Emma Reidy
Sailing for: 17 years
When did you start sailing?
Coming from a sailing family, I stared sailing aged 7 with the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School. I can still remember my first Instructor, Rob.
Teaching for: 8 years
Fiona Hedderman
Sailing for: 4 years
When did you start sailing?
I started when I was 12 years old at the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School.
Why do you sail?
I like that there isn’t the pressure to be the fastest or strongest, instead you can go at your own pace.
Fiona qualified as a dinghy instructor earlier this year. What is your favourite part of passing on the skill?
I love working with people, being on the water and I feel such pride when I see a child I taught master the new skills.
Kate O’Donnell
Sailing for: 2 years
When did you start sailing?
My first sailing course was at the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School two years ago! Following this, I sailed regularly throughout the winter in the Junior Club.
Kate qualified as a dinghy instructor earlier this year. What is your favourite part of passing on the skill?
I love being out on the water and coaching new sailors, its fantastic to be able to work with your friends doing something you love.
How can more women be encouraged to the sport of sailing?
There’s a great balance at the INSS, and I hope we keep doing what we’re doing. The encouragement to participate in this event was fantastic. More events such as this are a must for boosting female participation and a big thank you to Irish Sailing for putting it on.
Dairne McCabe
Sailing for: 2 years
When did you start sailing?
My first sailing course was only a few years ago at the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School.
Teaching for: 1 year
Jeff Fahy
Sailing for: 7 years
Teaching for: 4 years
How can more women be encouraged to the sport of sailing?
Make sure that the teamwork element of coaching Is emphasised.
Follow the action…
For more see Irish Sailing’s website, www.sailing.ie.