Irish Sailing was delighted to be included in the recent National Sea Scouts Conference held in Galway, a vibrant and inspiring gathering that celebrated the deep and enduring connection between scouting and the sea.
The conference brought together predominantly Sea Scouts, along with Land Scouts, leaders and youth members from across the country. From the outset, there was a strong and unmistakable sense of shared purpose. The atmosphere throughout the event reflected the heart of Sea Scouting, connection, community and a genuine love for being on the water.
Many of the speakers spoke passionately about growing up with the sea as a constant presence in their lives. Stories of early mornings afloat, learning resilience, and the sense of wellbeing that comes from time spent on the water resonated strongly with delegates. The recurring theme was clear: the sea offers not only adventure and challenge, but also belonging, perspective and calm. It was a coming together of like-minded people who understand the powerful role that water plays in shaping confidence and character.
The conference was officially opened by Dr Rick Officer, CEO of the Marine Institute, who spoke about Ireland’s rich maritime heritage and the importance of fostering a strong relationship between young people and the marine environment. His address set the tone for a day grounded in respect for the sea and its future.
Sean Sheehan, CEO of Scouting Ireland, followed with an energetic and heartfelt contribution. He spoke of his passion for youth development and his enthusiasm for the Sea Scout movement, highlighting the unique opportunities it provides for young people to grow in confidence, teamwork, and leadership through water-based activity.
Throughout the weekend, there was strong emphasis on programme development, teamwork and nautical navigation. Workshops provided practical learning opportunities, while the informal moments between sessions reflected the strong camaraderie within the movement.
Colum McCaffrey, the National Commissioner for Sea Scouting Ireland said ‘The Sea Scouting Conference is a valuable opportunity to bring together volunteers from across Ireland who deliver a Scouting programme with a nautical flavour to over 40,000 young people nationwide. Through adventures afloat, we support the development of leadership, teamwork and decision-making skills, strengthen ocean literacy and inspire future pathways into Ireland’s marine sector.
It was a privilege to share the weekend with our maritime partners as we work together to connect more young people with the sea.’
Irish Sailing was particularly pleased to deliver Sailability workshops as part of the conference. These sessions focused on practical communication strategies and relatable skills to support participants with additional needs who wish to get involved on the water. The engagement from scouting delegates was extremely encouraging, with thoughtful questions and a genuine desire to better understand how to create welcoming and inclusive environments.
The strong interest in inclusion demonstrated a clear commitment within the Sea Scout community to advocate for belonging and accessibility. It was heartening to see leaders actively seeking ways to ensure that more young people, regardless of ability, can experience the joy and freedom of being on the water.
The National Sea Scouts Conference was both educational and uplifting. It reaffirmed the powerful connection between scouting and the sea, and highlighted a movement driven by passion, community spirit, and a shared belief in the positive impact of time spent afloat. Irish Sailing looks forward to continuing this collaboration and supporting the Sea Scout movement in creating inclusive opportunities on the water for all.