Although unfortunately again the weather didn’t quite play ball this summer there was plenty of activity across Irish Sailing Clubs and Training Centres and with the main summer season now behind us there are still plenty of opportunities to keep sailors, windsurfers and powerboaters busy and active well into the Autumn.
We are all well aware of the issue of keeping people, and in particular our young sailors, active once they have finished their summer courses so getting creative with the activities you offer is a great way to keep them engaged and incentivise them to get more time afloat.
Ideas such as catch-up camps to allow participants complete elements of a course they may not have completed to achieve their level, skill builder days to encourage them to practice and consolidate what they did learn or themed clinics such as seamanship skills or start racing are all great ways to encourage them to stay engaged and get more time afloat.
All of the above can work just as well for adults and can easily be applied to keelboats or powerboats to help people build experience following courses or offer more activity options for members. For guidance or support with any ideas in this area contact our Education & Programmes Officer Colum McCaffrey colum.mccaffrey@sailing.ie
Another important area to think about at this time of year is instructor planning for your Club or Training Centre for next season. This is the time to identify potential instructor candidates or those who might be suitable to move to the next level such as Advanced Instructor or Senior Instructor and ensure they are aware of and working towards the requirements for their instructor training course such as First Aid, Safeguarding, Powerboat certification and in particular their Pre-Entry assessment.
Full details of all instructor training requirements can be found here - Irish Sailing > Training > For Instructors