June, July & August 2024 Junior Course Offerings 

The RSGYC is continuing to step up its Summer Junior training programme with Irish Sailing 2 week modules and Class specific clinics in advance of upcoming events (the dates and booking links for the Class specific courses will be published in early April).  

Dates of 2024 Courses:

Course Alpha        June 4th – June 14th  (9 days €486)                               

Course Bravo        June 17th – June 28th  (10 days €540)

Course Charlie      July 1st – July 12th  (10 days €540)                                

Course Delta         July 15th – July 26th (10 days €540)                                   

Course Echo          July 29th – August 9th  (9 days €486)                                 

The following  modules will be on offer:

• Start Sailing. This is a 2 week long course 09.30 – 16.30

This will be a sailors first formal sailing course. Sailors should have completed Sea Squirts and Sea Tigers Courses. Sailors will now start sailing their own boats and learning the ropes. They will learn how to be safe on and off the water, develop their water confidence, and learn to sail a simple course all with assistance from the instructor.  

• Basic Skills. This is a 2 week long course 09.30 – 16.30

This course will progress from start sailing. Now that they can sail a basic courses, they will start to learn some Basic Skills. They will practice these maneuvers and skills to further their confidence and develop their boat handling and wind awareness. They will further their abilities and learn to sail a windward/leeward with minimal assistance.

• Improving Skills. This is a 2 week long course 09.30 – 16.30

This course will progress from basic skills. Now that they have learned their basic skills, they can now start to improve these skills. Not only do they improve these skills, but they will develop new boat handling abilities. The main objective of this course is to become a fully independent sailor capable of sailing in a Force 4.  

• Advanced Boat Handling. This is a 2 week long course 09.30 – 16.30

After sailors have proved their independence with winter/ evening training they can move on to Advanced Boat Handling. This course is not for the summer sailor as the boat handling and maneuvers require a high level of skill and regular practice. By the end of this course, sailors will be fully capable of sailing flat out in a Force 5 and deal with incidents that arise. 

• Start Racing. This is a 2 week long course 09.30 – 16.30

This course is an introduction to racing skills! Here sailors will learn all the basic information and boat handling abilities they need to compete in races at club and inter-club level. Start sequences, different classes, racing courses, strategies, and tactics will all be covered.

• Adventure Skills. This is a 2 week long course 09.30 – 16.30

This course will teach sailors new skills they will need in order to undertake longer trips and sail in stronger winds. This course will also develop a sailors sense of adventure and self-reliance. Sailors will learn the basics of chart work, pre-trip planning, equipment checks, and maintenance underway and ashore. Sailors will plan overnight trips with assistance from instructors.

Click here for full details from Irish Sailing on all of the above courses.

Sea Squirts and Sea Tigers 10.00 – 13.00 or 13.30 to 16.30

For our youngest sailors, Sea Squirts, 6 – 8 years of age there is no need to have their own boat – the use of a club boat is included in the price of the course.  When they reach 9, Sea Tigers, and have a suitable level of proficiency they can then begin to learn to transition to the various Irish Sailing modules and start completing their sailing passport.  At this stage a boat is a requirement and reliance on hiring a club boat should not be a given,  preference for rental of club boats will be given to Sea Squirts.  A boat, whether your own, rented or a club boat is a necessity!  

Sea Tigers can be offered to sailors from 8-10 years of age,  This course will be a taste of sailing with FUN on the water as the main priority.  

Proposed Sea Squirts & Tigers Course Weeks (subject to demand)

• June 24th – 28th 
• July 1st – 5th , 8th – 12th, 15th – 19th, 22nd – 26th, 29th – August 2nd
• August 6th – 9th, 12th – 16th

Team Racing Clinics 

These clinics are geared at team racing beginners looking to find out what team racing is and how it works. It will be done in a fun environment and be focused on teaching these new skills to sailors. Sailors must be at an “improving skills” level and should be comfortable with tacks, gybes, beats, runs and able to efficiently sail a course. Ability to self-launch and recover after capsizing is essential. The training will have a heavy focus on starts, racing tactics/strategy, event preparation. Club Fireflies will be used.

Launching and Returning to Base

• Sailors attending the clinics will launch their own boats and the SI will stack the trollies.
• All other non-clinic sailors will launch and stack their own trollies safely.

Food and water

• Every sailor must bring their own water bottles filled and carry their own water bottles at all times both on and off the water. There is a water station at the Club as required.
• The Boardwalk Cafe is open everyday with soup, sandwiches, drinks and snacks available to purchase.

Communication with Parents

• Communication will be maintained with Parents via Email/WhatsApp Groups.
• If parents have any questions for instructors about their sailor’s progress or have any concerns this should be coordinated through SI by email (juniorsailing@rsgyc.ie)

Use of Club Facilities

• Toilets and changing rooms are available.
• The instructor’s office will be for the sole use of the SI’s only.
• No equipment is to be shared between sailors.
• It is the responsibility of each sailor to ensure their equipment is in working order.
• Anyone hiring a club boat will retain that boat for the duration of the course and collect/ check out the boat prior to Day 1.

Hygiene

Everyone must hand sanitize regularly and particularly in the following circumstances:

• When you arrive at the club
• After coughing or sneezing
• Before and after eating
• Before and after being on public transport.
• If your hands are dirty
• After toilet use.

On the water safety

• Management of an unpredicted gust – All sailors should sail into the pond and wait till the SI calls them ashore.

Additional Files

• RSGYC Code for Young People – Sport Ireland 2023 (agreement required when registering for a course)
• RSGYC Junior Summer Course Terms & Conditons 

FAQ’s

Junior Summer 2024 FAQ’s