Before attending an Instructor Course, candidates must demonstrate a high standard of helmsmanship, seamanship and boat handling through the Irish Sailing Small Boat Sailing Scheme (SBSS) pre-entry assessment process, and Irish Sailing is encouraging sailors considering an instructor pathway to use the coming months to build the skills and experience needed to take the next step.
To support this, Irish Sailing has developed a new Pre-Entry Assessment Scoring Guide, setting out clear expectations for both candidates and assessors and helping to ensure consistency across assessments. A dedicated Pre-Entry Preparation Guide is also available, outlining the practical manoeuvres, drills and background knowledge candidates are expected to demonstrate.
From rudderless sailing and capsize recovery to close-quarters boat handling and sailing efficiency, the preparation guide provides a clear framework for candidates to practise and assess their own readiness ahead of assessment. It applies to those pursuing dinghy, keelboat and catamaran instructing qualifications.
Becoming an instructor is a rewarding progression opportunity, but there are many ways to continue developing within the sport, whether through racing, cruising, adventure or simply building confidence and experience on the water. The new SBSS Pre-Entry Preparation Guide is available here.