Irish National Sailing School
Keelboat Level 1 | Beginner Sailing C-19
Overview
The Start Sailing Course introduces you to the basics of sailing. We offer this course in our fleet of J80 Sportsyachts, which are stable, dry, comfortable and are sailed as part of a team. The course leads to RYA Start Sailing Certification – Keelboat Level 1.
We follow the syllabus as laid down by The Royal Yachting Association. The following are all integral parts to the course as we get your sailing career underway!
- Clothing – What to wear afloat and why.
- Ropework – We get you up and running with some basic knots.
- Rigging – How to put the boat together.
- Weather – What’s good to get out in and ultimately what to avoid!
- Setting the sails.
- Steering – getting to grips with the tiller!
- Wind Direction – how to determine where the wind is coming from.
- Upwind, downwind and sailing at 90° to the wind!
Our cancellation policy for this course can be viewed here.
The Boat – J80 Keelboat
J80s are 26 foot long stable and responsive keelboats. They’re sailed by crews of up to 6, however, on our courses there’ll be up to 4 students on board with the instructor.
What to Bring
We provide waterproofs, lifejacket / buoyancy aid and all other safety equipment but it is necessary to bring the following:
Warm layers to wear underneath water proofs.
Grippy footwear that you don't mind getting a splash or two, old runners are ideal.
Suncream and hat!
Woolly Hat (for the colder days)
Change of clothes, you're unlikely to fall in, but better to have them just in case.
Shower Gear - Towel, Shampoo etc - for the same reason.
Packed Lunch
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Competent Crew Course - Excellent Instructor - Having done a few courses with the INSS over the summer of 2023, and some sailing on the Mediterranean, doing the Competent Crew course with others who were doing the Day Skipper course at the same time was the highlight of my time learning how to sail. The reason it was the highlight was largely due to the course instructor Shona O'Dowd (I made certain to get her full name before leaving to give her the credit she deserved). Huge knowledge and experience mixed with a great attitude, with friendliness, patience and approachability making Shona stand out and make each day of the course something to look forward to regardless of weather or experience level. Shona guided practical use of all facets of sailing knowledge excellently and never micromanaged or tried to exert too much control, thereby never limiting the learning that can take place for students.
This teaching style is difficult to find, having seen a variety of instructors and their styles, in different countries and even within the INSS, and so you will be very lucky if you get Shona on your boat when it comes your turn to learn the ropes (literally). All in all, the Competent Crew course was very enjoyable, and I just wanted to give credit where it was due.
Maps57686967283
20/08/2023
