Irish National Sailing School
Easter Courses – Sea Explorers Go Sailing – 6 to 7 Years
Overview
6 to 7 Years
Sea Explorers go Sailing Program is a perfect medium between Sea Explorers and Sailing. Watching youngsters grow in confidence as they get introduced to the art of sailing is one of the great rewards for us. Our courses will entertain, challenge and stimulate your children as they learn to explore the seas and get introduced to sailing throughout the week – and have fun along the way.
The children will start the day as Sea Explorers and will learn about the following:
- Food Chains
- Learning more about the relationship between animals and plants. Starting with phytoplankton and zooplankton.
- Adapting to the Environment
- How animals and plants have found ways to adapt to the problems living on the shore.
- Tides
- How does the high tide and low tide happen?
- Interdependence on a rocky shore
- There are many different animals and plants living together. They depend on each other in many ways; Food, shelter and protection.
- Zoning on the shore
- Why some animals and plants live on the lower shore and others on the upper shore.
In the afternoon the students will be introduced to sailing by doing the following:
- Walking into the water on a slipway/beach.
- Learning about the importance of a buoyancy aid/life jacket at all times. Introduction to wetsuits and how they keep you warm.
- Children will acclimatise and familiarise themselves sitting in an Optimist Boat. (Oppie). (An Oppie boat is shaped a bit like a bathtub and is very safe for introducing children to sailing.)
- Introducing how a sail and rudder works will gradually be taught during the week.
Lastly, the last lesson will be on capsizing – this will be demonstrated in shallow water in front of the Sailing School beside the pontoon with Instructors in the water, on the pontoon and one boat at a time.
We provide all essential gear for the course, boats and buoyancy aids, while wetsuits can be hired for the week. Our instructors are very experienced, we have a modern clubhouse facility with changing rooms and are fully insured. We have an excellent safety record and pride ourselves on our superb reputation.
Similar to the 7 to 10’s group, courses run Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm each day.
What to Bring
- Old Trainers / Wetsuit Booties / Crocs (flip flops are not suitable for the activity)
- Raincoat/waterproof jacket to wear over wetsuit
- Change of Clothes
- Hat and Sun cream
- Swimming Togs (to be worn under wetsuit) and Towel
- Wetsuit – can be rented from us (see below)
- T-Shirt and Sweatshirt, warm jumper for lunchtimes
- Packed Lunch and water. We are a nut free sailing school, nut products must not be brought in.
- Plastic bag for the wet wetsuit if your child is planning to change
- Logbook (Optional) – Logbooks – A Guide for Parents
Wetsuits
Wetsuits are available to rent for the course for €20 per week.
Collection occurs after registration on the first morning of the course and drop back at the end of the course.
For children aged 6-10 years who need help from parents to get into/out of wetsuits we will allow collection of wetsuits throughout the week preceding the course. Please email us if this is required for your child.
Got your own wetsuit?
If a child is bringing their own wetsuit, please note wetsuits must be long sleeved and long legged. Shortie wetsuits are not suitable for the Irish weather!
