This Summer will see more children than we've ever had before out on the water enjoying the thrills of learning to sail.
Preparations for this Summer have been underway for over 18 months to be ready for our busiest year yet. While new additions to the fleet of Optimists, Toppers, Picos, Double Handed Dinghies and Safety Boats have been made quietly over the last 12 months, it’s the huge investment in our current staff, and the expansion of our instructing team, that is the most impressive. Put simply, we can have all the boats, facilities and resources in the world, but it would all be for nothing without the enthusiastic and professional team that will be looking after your children on the water this Summer.
We are delighted to announce our Section Heads for this Summer. Muriel Rumball, who has ably guided the 4-6 Years group for many years returns once again to run her extremely popular programme. Lucy Dowling, who has been with the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School for over 5 years, and who recently qualified as a Senior Instructor will be overseeing progress in the 7-10 years’ age section. Joining Muriel and Lucy, Sara Lanning and Orlagh Connor will complete our Junior Course Management Team running the 11-14 Years and 15+ Years Sections respectively.
Lucy Dowling shares her priorities for the 7-10 Years Age Section this Summer
There’s a lot of exciting things taking place in the 7-10 age group this summer. The courses are primarily based on sailing Optimist dinghies but keelboats, paddling and powerboat trips are also on offer. The 7-10 age group summer programme is a must for all young, keen sailors. They will begin to discover their sailing potential while having great fun along the way. Not only will the children be learning fundamental sailing skills they will also get to discover many different aspects of the Dublin Bay area. Instructor led keelboats trips will be taking place on a regular basis to introduce the children to new types of boats as well as allowing them to experience the coastline from a whole new perspective. Other exciting activities include visits to Dun Laoghaires’ seal caves on our powerboats and sailing trips to the bay in their Optimist dinghies. At the end of the week every child goes home with a greater knowledge for the sport and the sea and each child receives a certificate to mark their fantastic achievement.
Sara Lannin introduces the 11-14 Years Group plans for the forthcoming season
The 11-14’s this Summer is jammed with activities and our calendar is packed with exciting new ideas and plans. Similar to last Summer we plan to run the advanced group from the harbour and the beginner groups from the beach. Our aim for the 11-14 age group this summer is to instil a love for sailing and we plan to do this by introducing the kids to day trips and sailing excursions at this level for the first time. We hope to try do a day trip once a week to Blackrock Hill or towards Dalkey Island. We will have our lunch in our chosen location and sail home again. These experiences are truly unique and very memorable for the student whilst exciting and adventurous.
We plan to make this Summer fun filled for the 11-14’s and To ensure this we have created ‘Fun Friday’, on the last day of the course the instructors will run different water based activities like water fights, capsizing drills and ‘Soak the Instructor’. Fun Friday will of course include all the proceedings that ‘Cake Friday’ brings. This is where the children bring baked goods or treats on the last day and share them around to celebrate the great week they have had. ‘Cake Friday’ has always been a big hit and gives the children a chance to reflect on what an excellent week they have had. This Summer is definitely going to be a big hit with all the activities we have planned.
Orlagh Connor, our 15+ Years Group Senior Instructor introduces her plans for this age section this summer
This Summer the plan is to push the limits as much as possible and try new things. To do this we have planned many day trips in 1720’s and sport yachts and these excursions have now been incorporated into the weekly plan. We even hope to get out on board our 38ft yacht, Lynx. Also, we have recently invested in Topaz Vibe’s which are excellent to introduce students to racing techniques and double handing. These new Vibes have diversified our fleet hugely and are also great fun to sail. In addition to these new Vibes, we have also invested in many new Laser Picos which are excellent boats to starter boats, and great fun to have a mess about in. Thanks to chief instructor Kenneth Rumball, the significant expansion of our fleet means that students can progress faster and the higher performance boats can be adrenaline pumping and thrilling to sail!
The great thing about the 15+ years group is that regularly the students leave with a great new gang of friends in which they share a common interest. Not to worry though, the 15+ age group is not completely changing and many of our traditions will still be in place like ‘Cake Friday’ where the students bring in cakes and goodies to enjoy on Friday afternoon after a great week of sailing and ‘The Teddy’s Sail’ where the group sail over to the east pier to get an ice cream and walk the pier. This Summer is bound to be action packed for the 15+ age group with many surprises in store.
We’re an extremely competent team ready to get the summer underway – and of course apart from Muriel, Lucy, Sara and Orlagh, the whole instructing team will be ensuring that your child the most fun possible on their week’s Sailing!
Summer 2016: More Information…
A snippet of Summer 2015…