Cara na Mara - 1 - 2025

Cara na Mara Courses 2025

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.

***Members should avail of discount codes before proceeding with booking***

Please Note: This page is only for Cara na Mara

For: Young sailors aged 6-9 years old
Focus: Introduction to sailing in a fun, safe, and engaging environment

What’s New for 2025?

• Blessington Lakes Sailing Club is now offering sessional Cara na Mara courses, from Morning Session: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM & Afternoon Session: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Families with sailors enrolled in full-day courses also have the option for their younger sailors to remain on in the afternoon.

Course Options & Pricing

• Morning or Afternoon Session: €140 per week
• Full-Day Option (for sailors with siblings in full-day courses): €240 per week

Why Join Cara na Mara?

• A perfect first step into sailing for young children.
• Focuses on fun, safety, and confidence-building on the water.
• Includes a mix of games, shore-based activities, and time on the water.
• Designed to introduce young sailors to basic boating skills, water awareness, and teamwork.

What to Expect

• Engaging activities that introduce water confidence and boat handling.
• Small group sessions to ensure personalized attention and safety.
• A gentle, structured approach to learning sailing fundamentals.
• Instructor-led fun and games to make sailing exciting for young learners.
• Outdoor exploration, environmental awareness, and shore-based learning activities.

Course Structure

The Cara na Mara program follows the Irish Sailing framework, ensuring young sailors learn progressively while having fun:

• Otter Group: Introduction to boats, water safety, and fun water-based activities.
• Seal Group: Developing confidence on the water, learning basic sailing movements, and understanding weather conditions.
• Dolphin Group: Further improving boat handling skills and introducing independent sailing concepts.

Session Times

• Morning Session: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Afternoon Session: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Full-Day Option: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM (for sailors with siblings in full-day courses)

Safety & Supervision

• Fully qualified instructors trained in child safety and water awareness.
• Low instructor-to-student ratio to ensure a safe and engaging experience.
• Focused on building water confidence before progressing to structured sailing courses.

What to Bring

• Wetsuit and personal floatation device (life jacket)
• Water shoes or old runners that can get wet
• Suncream (SPF50), labeled with child’s name
• Waterproof jacket, trousers, and footwear for shore-based activities
• Full change of warm clothes in a sports bag or backpack
• Snack and drink in re-sealable containers
• Any necessary medications in a labeled plastic bag with instructions

Secure your child’s spot today! Cara na Mara is a popular course with limited spaces available—early booking is recommended.

General Course Information 2025

1. Schedule:
   Courses run Monday to Friday, either 09:30–12:30 or 13:30–16:30)
2. Ages:
   Participants must be between 6–9 for Cara Na Mara
3. Swimming Requirement:
   All applicants must be confident in the water.
4. Irish Sailing Accreditation:
   All courses (except where noted) adhere to Irish Sailing’s standards and qualification pathway
5. Course Duration: 1 Week
6. 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.
7. Weather Policy:
   Sailing is weather-dependent; courses run according to prevailing conditions and will not be rescheduled due to bad weather.
8. Participation:
   All courses are open to Blessington Sailing Club members and the public.
9. Equipment:
   1. Sailors must have a wetsuit, buoyancy aid, and appropriate footwear.
10. 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 & Member Discounts

The Morning or Afternoon Session is €140 per week & the Full-Day Option for sailors with siblings in our full-day courses is €240 per week.  Discounts are available for members, , committing to shore parent duty, and family members booking multiple children (details below).

Payment in full is required on booking.

Discounts Available

• Junior Member Discount: €25 per week-long full day course (Pro-rata for sessional)
• Family Member Discount: €40 per week-long full day course, plus an additional €25 sibling discount for the second, third, and fourth children per week-long full day course. (Pro-rata for sessional)

***Members should avail of discount codes before proceeding with booking***

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.