Irish Sailing Small Boat Sailing Scheme - Program 1 - Summer 2025

***Members are advised that Discounts Available for all courses. Members should avail of discount codes before proceeding with booking***

(PLEASE READ BOOKING INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING)

Welcome to the 2025 Junior Sailing Programme!

We are delighted to open bookings for this year’s Blessington Lakes Sailing Club Junior Courses. Whether you're returning to build on your sailing skills or joining us for the first time, we look forward to providing a fun, safe, and engaging learning experience on the water. Our programme caters to a range of skill levels, from beginners to advanced sailors, ensuring that every participant gets the most out of their time with us. Please read through the details below before proceeding with your booking.

Please Note: This page is only for Course 1 - Levels 1 to 4. Course 2, Cara na Mara, Adventure Week, & Teen Week are on separate booking pages.

General Course Information

1. Schedule:
   Courses run Monday to Friday, 09:30–16:30. (Cara na Mara sessions run either 09:30–12:30 or 13:30–16:30 – see separate Cara courses for details.)
2. Ages:
   Participants must be between 9 and 18 years old (Cara na Mara is available for ages 6–9).
3. Swimming Requirement:
   All applicants must be confident in the water.
4. Progression:
   Participants must have completed and passed the previous level before enrolling in the next. If in doubt please contact us before booking.
5. Irish Sailing Accreditation:
   All courses (except where noted) adhere to Irish Sailing’s standards and qualification pathway
6. Course Duration:
   1. Irish Sailing Courses run for two weeks.
   2. Cara na Mara, Teen Week, and Adventure Week run for one week (see separate pages for booking details).
7. Safety & Logistics:
   1. Children should arrive in sailing gear and leave in a dry robe or similar attire.
   2. Parents are responsible for providing all meals and drinks for the day.
   3. A text alert system will notify participants by 9 PM the night before if sailing is cancelled due to bad weather.
8. Weather Policy:
   Sailing is weather-dependent; courses run according to prevailing conditions and will not be rescheduled due to bad weather.
9. Participation:
   All courses are open to Blessington Sailing Club members and the public.
10. Equipment:
    1. Sailors must have a wetsuit, buoyancy aid, and appropriate footwear.
    2. Boats are included in the course cost. However, if a sailor has access to their own boat, they are encouraged to use it—with a €160 discount available for a two-week course.
11. Pre-requisites & Certification:
    1. All activities have pre-requisites based on age or sailing ability.
    2. Certificates are awarded based on skill recognition (not just attendance). Sailors are encouraged to sail outside of course levels and maintain a logbook to track their progress.
12. Special Programs:
    Junior Summer Programme participants (L1 to L4) are welcome to attend Wednesday Evening Members Club Sailing during their course under their parents’ supervision. (Parents must be onsite, as safety is managed on the water and there are no instructors on shore.)
13. Booking & Refunds:
    1. Refunds will only be issued in line with the cancellation policy.
    2. Separate bookings are required for multiple children or multiple courses.

Booking Process

As part of the registration process, participants must confirm:

• Their type of membership.
• If they are using their own boat, the boat type, and its insurance status.
• Agreement to club rules, safety guidelines, cancellation policy etc

Course Fees

The 2025 course fee is €560 for a two-week course. There is no separate boat hire fee although discount is available for using your own boat. Discounts are available for members, own-boat users, committing to shore parent duty, and family members booking multiple children (details below).

Following registration, you will be sent an email detailing how to pay the deposit for your courses. You will have the option to make a transfer to the club bank account or by Stripe through a payment link. A €100 booking deposit per course is required within 7 days of registration to confirm your places.

Once your registration is reviewed and following verification of valid 2025 membership (if applicable), own boat usage, and siblings, an invoice will be issued with the final payment details, including any applicable discounts. A further payment will be required within 14 days of invoice issuing to bring total deposit payments to 50%. The balance of all courses is due 30 days before commencement. Payments are accepted via bank transfer or card.

Any course booked with 30 days of starting requires immediate payment in full.

Discounts

• Own Boat Discount: €160 for a two-week course (€80 per week).
• Shore Parent Commitment: €40 discount for commitment to fulfil shore part duties for a ½ day per course, per child booked (See end of page for more info on what a shore parent does)
• Junior Member Discount: €25 per week-long course / €50 for a two-week course.
• Family Member Discount: €40 per week, plus an additional €25 sibling discount for the second, third, and fourth children.

Invoices reflecting the revised price will be sent once eligibility for discounts is verified. No direct payment at the time of booking, follow deposit payment instructions above.

Course Levels Overview for 2-Week Courses

Start Sailing (L1)

• Builds on the Taste of Sailing foundation.
• Covers rigging, knot tying, launching/recovering boats, and capsize recovery.
• Participants develop knowledge of weather conditions, tides, and communication safety protocols.

Basic Skills (L2)

• Requires completion of Start Sailing.
• Focuses on independent sailing in light wind conditions.
• Covers boat control, tacking, gybing, and wind awareness.

Improving Skills (L3)

• Requires completion of Basic Skills and a season of sailing experience.
• Introduces racing techniques and advanced sailing skills.
• Covers safety measures for moderate conditions.

Advanced Skills (L4)

Advanced Boat Handling

• Designed for sailors handling strong winds.
• Focuses on advanced tuning and handling techniques.

Kites & Wires / Go Racing (Advanced Skills Equivalent)

• Introduction to racing techniques and local club competitions.
• Prior completion of Improving Skills is required.

Adventure Sailing

• Prepares sailors for longer sailing trips and advanced conditions.

Requires Improving Skills or equivalent experience

Membership & Club Activities

To enhance the sailing experience, members are encouraged to take part in Sunday afternoon & Wednesday Evening club activities from the start of the season. These sessions provide additional time on the water, helping sailors refine their skills and gain more confidence.

For non-members, Cadet Membership is available for junior sailors who wish to continue their sailing journey beyond the course. Member participants are encouraged to take part in Sunday afternoon club activities, which offer additional sailing experience.

BLSC reserves the right to cancel courses due to insufficient interest, in which case a full refund will be provided

We look forward to welcoming your young sailors to Blessington Lakes Sailing Club in 2025!

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Blessington Lakes Sailing Club – Shore Parent Guide

Being a Shore Parent is a voluntary role within our club, offering a great opportunity to see what your child is up to at sailing camp while enjoying some downtime for yourself. It’s a light-duty role designed to support the smooth running of the camp.

Your Responsibilities as a Shore Parent

• Be a supportive presence on-site in case of an emergency.
• Assist in keeping shared areas clean and tidy after breaks and lunch (sweeping floors, wiping counters, checking bathrooms).
• Help free up instructors by maintaining order in the clubhouse when sailors are on the water.
• Reassure and assist any child feeling unwell, cold, or nervous (e.g., making a hot chocolate).
• You are not responsible for first aid – all instructors are fully qualified.
• Ensure you are not in the clubhouse while the sailors are inside (except when assisting during lunch breaks or under the direction of an instructor.)

Arrival & Check-in

On arrival, please report to Senior Instructor or the designated Shore Co-ordinator for that week.

• Morning Slot: 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM
• Afternoon Slot: 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
• Please wear the high-visibility vest provided.

Important Notes

• A roster will be set up closer to the course start date with full details provided to all participants.
• No heavy duties – instructors remain responsible for major tasks.
• This is a voluntary role, but your contribution helps the club run smoothly.
• If you can commit to your Shore Parent duties, a discount will be applied to your course fees.

What’s in it for You?

• A chance to watch your child’s progress.
• A relaxed opportunity to catch up on reading in the lovely lakeside surroundings. (NB. There is no office or desk space in the clubhouse)
• Being part of the sailing community and supporting the club’s success.

Thank you for your time and support! Your help makes a real difference.

For any questions, please reach out to the Senior Instructor or Shore Co-ordinator.