Cara na Mara - 3 - 2026

Cara na Mara Courses 2026

We are delighted to open bookings for this year’s Blessington Lakes Sailing Club Cara na Mara Courses.

Cara na Mara is designed as a fun, safe, and engaging introduction to sailing for younger children, giving them an opportunity to build confidence on and around the water through games, boating activities, and structured learning.

Please read all of the information below carefully before booking.

Who is this course for?

Cara na Mara is for children aged 7 and 8 only.

If your child is 9 or older, they should book onto the Start Sailing Level 1 course instead.

Cara na Mara is intended for younger children who are ready for a gentle introduction to sailing and water-based activity in a club environment.

Full-Day Course Only

For 2026, Cara na Mara will run as a full-day course only.

Course times:
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Monday to Friday

Cost: €300 per week

Important Suitability Information

Cara na Mara is for younger children, but it is still an outdoor sailing course, not a childcare or playschool setting.

Children taking part must be:

• aged 7 or 8
• confident in the water and able to swim
• able to take part in a full day of outdoor activity
• able to manage basic personal tasks with limited assistance

Parents must use their own judgement when deciding if this course is suitable for their child.

In particular, children should be able to:

• manage their own bag, towel, and spare clothes
• arrive ready for the day’s activities
• get themselves into and out of a wetsuit
• change into warm, dry clothes if needed during the day
• follow instructions in a group setting
• cope reasonably independently in an outdoor course environment

Our instructors are there to support, encourage, and teach the children, but the course is not a one-to-one care setting. Children need a level of maturity and independence appropriate for taking part safely and happily in the programme.

Children usually arrive in their wetsuit and go home in it, but on colder days they may want to change into dry clothes during the day. They should be able to manage this themselves.

If your child is likely to need regular one-to-one help with dressing, changing, toileting, or managing their belongings, this course may not yet be the right fit.

Why Join Cara na Mara?

Cara na Mara is a great first step into sailing for younger children. The course focuses on:

• fun
• safety
• confidence-building
• water awareness
• basic boat handling
• teamwork
• outdoor learning and exploration

The emphasis is on helping children become comfortable on and around the water while enjoying a positive first experience of sailing.

What to Expect

Participants can expect:

• a fun and structured introduction to sailing
• games and activities that build water confidence
• time on the water and shore-based learning
• small-group teaching with close supervision
• instructor-led activities that develop confidence, coordination, and awareness
• outdoor learning in a supportive club environment

Course Structure

The Cara na Mara programme follows the Irish Sailing framework and supports young sailors to progress through fun, age-appropriate activities.

The programme may include elements of:

• Otter Group – introduction to boats, water confidence, and fun water-based activities
• Seal Group – building confidence, basic sailing movements, and greater awareness on the water
• Dolphin Group – developing boat handling and early independence

Progression depends on age, confidence, and readiness.

Safety & Supervision

Safety is a core part of all courses at Blessington Lakes Sailing Club.

Cara na Mara includes:

• fully qualified instructors
• low instructor-to-student ratios
• structured supervision on and off the water
• activities designed to build confidence progressively
• age-appropriate learning in a safe and supportive setting

However, parents should note again that children must have enough independence and maturity to manage themselves within a group course setting.

What to Bring

Each child should bring:

• wetsuit
• buoyancy aid / personal flotation device
• water shoes or old runners that can get wet
• waterproof jacket and suitable outer layers
• full change of warm clothes
• towel
• lunch, snacks, and drinks
• suncream
• any necessary medication, clearly labelled with instructions

All belongings should be clearly labelled.

General Course Information 2026

Schedule:
Courses run Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Age:
Cara na Mara is for children aged 7 and 8 only
Children aged 9+ should enrol in Start Sailing Level 1

Swimming Requirement:
All children must be able to swim and be confident in the water.

Irish Sailing Alignment:
Cara na Mara follows the Irish Sailing youth pathway for younger children.

Course Duration:
1 week

Weather Policy:
Sailing and water-based activity are weather dependent. Courses will run according to conditions on the day and will not be rescheduled due to weather.

Equipment:
Children must have a wetsuit, buoyancy aid, and suitable footwear.

Participation:
Courses are open to Blessington Sailing Club members and non-members, subject to availability.

Booking & Refunds:
Refunds are issued only in line with the club cancellation policy. Separate bookings are required for each child and each course.

Booking Process

As part of the registration process, parents/guardians will be asked to confirm:

• their child’s age
• that their child can swim
• that their child is suitable for a full-day outdoor course
• that their child can manage changing, dressing, and personal belongings with limited assistance
• agreement to club rules, safety procedures, and cancellation policy

Final Note for Parents

Cara na Mara works best for children who are excited to take part, ready for a full day outdoors, comfortable in the water, and able to manage the practical parts of the day with reasonable independence.

If your child is 9 or older, the correct entry point is Start Sailing Level 1.

We look forward to welcoming your young sailors to Blessington Lakes Sailing Club in 2026.