Taste of Sailing

Four exciting evenings learning to sail with Mayo Sailing Club in Clew Bay

Held every April, this course is designed to introduce adults to big boat sailing.  

The MSC Taste of Sailing Course is open to all adults interested in experiencing sailing. We are very fortunate to sail in an area of exceptional beauty, with ever-changing weather and challenging sea conditions. It is hoped that this course will give the participants a taste of what it is like to experience the exhilaration of sailing.

 

The course starts on Tuesday April 2nd 2015 at 18.30 at the clubhouse in Rosmoney. It will run for 4 sessions weather permitting. There will be a short instructional talk at the beginning of each session, then sailing and finally a wrap-up over a warm cup of tea afterwards.

 

The structure of the course

 

Week One

Introduction to the Club, to the people, to the course and to the boats:

Intro to who is who (Commodore and others) How the TOS course will work – discuss the outline & structure Getting started - what you need, life jacket, gear Types of sailing – windsurfing, dinghies, racing, cruising Types of boats – dinghy, multihull, cruiser Parts of a boat – bow, stern, starboard, port, mast, keel, rudder, tiller/wheel, Safety – getting on and off a boat – dinghy to cruiser and climb aboard How Mayo Sailing Club works what we have on offer racing dinghies, big boats and cruising in company some weekends social aspects adventurous members

Week Two

Sailing and how it works:

Sails catching wind, angled to steer the boat Points of sail – upwind, beating, tacking, beam reach, broad reach, running, sailing in circles, stalled Different sails and how they are controlled – mainsail and mainsheet, jib and jib sheets Crew - who does what 

Week Three

Basic Sail Trim

Raising the sails – halyards, safety with the boom, correct tension Points of sail Sailing in one direction (adjust the sail for best effect) How to get the best sail shape Tell-tales and how they work

Week Four

Navigation and safety plus next steps

Safety briefing, lifejackets, flares, life raft, VHF radio, Mayday Weather – where you can get the forecast information – Met Éireann, VHF, Weatherdial, Internet, RTE – what to watch out for Navigation – charts of Clew Bay, depth sounder, keeping a lookout, lobster pots, rocks Tides – how the tides change – twice daily, Spring Tides, Neap Tides Club Website – anemometer, club news, texts Where to from here? Discuss options such as becoming a club member, dinghy course, crewing on cruisers, etc. Feedback on course

 

How to book a place

Send an email to info@mayosailingclub.com with your contact details, and somebody from the club will follow up with you.  Or call and leave a message on the club mobile (087) 126 3820 with your contact information and someone will get back to you.

 

The course cost of €150 for the 4 weeks can be applied towards membership of Mayo Sailing Club should you decide to become a full member.