Welcome to the WHSC Junior Sailing Course section, we have a very active junior sailing program.
At WHSC we cater for all levels – from those just looking for a ‘taste of sailing’, to Instructor level. Boat ownership is not required, we have optional boat rental for the course duration. Club membership is required to take part in courses but we have various introductory options available
If your family is new to sailing, then you’re in the right place. Sailing is an excellent to foster youths confidence and independence in a way no other sport can. Just imagine the feeling a 7 year old has when they take control of ‘their own boat’ for the first time. A WHSC junior course is the perfect safe environment to begin the journey.
For any queries contact: Fiona & Andrea (JO’s) at whscjo@gmail.com
To All Sailors, Parents and Guardians,
2020 certainly was a year like no other and WHSC made changes to ensure your health and safety over the summer. Although we don’t always like change, it can help us review our plans and sometimes, even get a better outcome than originally expected! With this in mind, we’ve taken on board some feedback from parents and instructors and hopefully, have come up with a proposed junior sailing plan that ensures your safety, learning and fun for 2021. We’re issuing this early to help you plan for the summer.
- Firstly, this is a tentative plan and will be subject to the health and safety guidance in force in summer 2021, instructor availability and demand.
- As social distancing is likely to be part of our lives in summer, we’ll plan to run the ½ day courses as we did in 2020. Changing rooms will be off-limits so sailors are to arrive fully dressed for sailing.
- Following Irish Sailing guidance on course durations, we have amended the WHSC course length to accommodate the ½ days. Hopefully, these ‘Block’ sessions should allow for adequate time to cover and assess the relevant course content. Therefore, Start Sailing, Basic Skills and Go Racing will run for 2 weeks of ½ days with Improving Skills, ABH to Assistant Instructor for 3 weeks. The Block sessions will also help the instructors with continuity of learning for each group of sailors.
- ABH is a difficult level to achieve and we have therefore changed the minimum age for entry to 13 years. This will allow for additional sailing time and growth before entry to the level.
- We have introduced a new course, Go Racing – Optimist, which has an entry age of 12yrs. We have a growing fleet of budding Opi racers and are sure that this will be of interest to many of you.
- Our Adult Sailing weeks were so successful in 2020, we’ve decided to keep it in the calendar! In 2021, there will be a beginner and an improver group to help you build on all that hard work!
- Please note that all sailors must pass the previous level before acceptance into the next course level. If a level has not been achieved in the year, the course must be completed in full again the next year. New members must attach certification of levels achieved with their application forms.
- Only one Irish Sailing qualification per year may be obtained, (except for Start Sailing to Basic Skills for a sailor of the correct age). It is advisable to do your qualification level early in the season to give yourself the best chance of passing. You can book and attend another course that you qualify for but will not be assessed for the second course, but you will become a better sailor!
- Submission of a booking form will not constitute confirmation of a place on a course. Courses can only be booked by full members. An email confirming your booking will be sent to you.
- Payments must be made by GoCardless only. Click here to see how to set up GoCardless for Single Payment Direct Debit payments.
We hope that these changes will improve everyone’s sailing experiences and learnings. We believe the schedule will suit most members but realise that it may not for you. Please contact us to discuss your situation and we will work with you to find the best solution.
All the best,
Fiona & Andrea (JO’s)
2021 Information Pack
WHSC Covid-19 Sailing Information
2021 WHSC Junior Sailing Schedule
2021 WHSC Junior sailing booking form
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Note 1: Participation in an ISA accrediting course does not guarantee your certification – you must be able to demonstrate that you have understood and can complete the relevant skills to achieve certification. Similar to acquiring new skills in any discipline, the more time you spend practicing the better you will become. So we encourage you to gain as much experience and time on the water as you can outside of course time. Take any and every opportunity that comes your way to go sailing, even if it’s not in a boat that you have sailed before – get out there, have fun and enjoy your sailing.
The provision of each course is subject to demand and is at the discretion of the Commodore and the Junior Organiser.
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