Great club racing depends on two things most sailors often take for granted: courses that are well laid and protests that are fairly heard. When both are delivered well, competitors can race with confidence. When they are not, frustration can quickly follow. Irish Sailing is offering clubs the opportunity to strengthen both areas through dedicated training programmes that can be delivered at your own venue and fit within your club calendar.
The Local Mark Layer programme is designed for club volunteers and race officials responsible for setting courses on the water. Participants learn the principles of effective mark placement, how to respond to changing conditions, and how to support a high quality racing experience throughout the day. Well laid courses contribute to cleaner starts, fairer racing, and a more enjoyable experience for competitors.
The Local Judge programme provides club members with the knowledge and confidence to serve on protest panels. The course covers the fundamentals of conducting hearings fairly, applying the Racing Rules of Sailing correctly, and reaching sound and consistent decisions. The result is a stronger race management team and increased confidence among competitors in the protest process.
Both programmes can be delivered at club level when there is sufficient interest. Each course is designed for a group of 12 participants, making them ideal for a dedicated club training day or a collaborative initiative between neighbouring clubs.
Clubs interested in hosting either programme are encouraged to contact Michael Keogh at michael.keogh@sailing.ie to register their interest. Irish Sailing will work with clubs to organise and deliver the training, helping to build stronger race management teams and improve the racing experience for everyone involved.