Lough Swilly Yacht Club will host the next stage of Foyle Sailability’s volunteer training on Wednesday, May 20. This is part of our on-going Volunteer training programme, which aims to provide our volunteers with the required skills and experience to help out with the events we host for people with disabilities to get on the water and enjoy sailing.

Sail Training Ireland has secured grants through the EU Commissions "Youth in Action" programme to fund young people aged 16-25 years (with some allowance for up to 27 years on request) to undertake Sail Training Voyages on the Tall Ships this summer in the Irish Sea. These are youth exchange projects funded by the "Youth in Action" scheme. The projects take place at the end of May and there are a few places still available for young people from Northern Ireland.

BYC RYA Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster Offshore Theory Course

Start Date: Thursday 4th Oct. for 30 weeks (n.b. there will be a break at Christmas)
£350 members / £400 non-members
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
Instructor: Simon McCandless

Summer sailing school in Cushendall selling fast
Last chance to book onto weekly courses in Red Bay

Hundreds of wannabe sailors both young and old will be learning to sail in
Red Bay over the summer months of July and August.

Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club (CSBC) has run a sailing school in Red
Bay for nearly 40 years, and bookings for this year are well ahead of
schedule.

There’s plenty happening at BYC over the coming months with courses to cater for everyone

• After School Club, Mondays 4-6pm
• Monday Night Improvers Course, 7-9.30pm
• Friday Night Beginners 5-7.30pm

Check out www.ballyholme.com for details of all courses

Ballyholme Yacht Club are running a full list of courses this summer. Please continue reading the story for full details.

BYC WINTER 2010/11 THEORY COURSES

BYC are running a number of shore based training courses over the next few weeks. Continue reading the story for more details.

On Monday 20th September at 7.30pm Ballyholme Yacht Club will be hosting a master class led by Suki Brownsden,Olympic and Commonwealth Games Team GB medallist in swimming and nutritionist Gill Horgan from the British Olympic Foundation.

This event is open to all interested parties from 14 years and upwards. This will be a very informative evening and is expected to be popular.

If you would like to attend this evening please register your interest by placing your name (and guests) on a sheet which will be in the clubhouse foyer this weekend or email Jackie Patton,Honorary Secretary jpattonsail84@btinternet.com

Dinghy sailing provides an exciting way of getting afloat to experience the thrills of sailing. It is also the quickest and easiest way to learn to sail as dinghies are easy to rig, anyone can handle them and they are very responsive, providing limitless entertainment for everyone.

Many working adults are reluctant to give up a valuable weekend to have fun on a sailing course, so this year BYC has organised an Adult Monday night RYA course over 8 evening sessions in May and June: This course is similar to those we would normally run in the summer and will be running from 7-9.30pm. Please register your interest with Alice at alice@ballyholme.com.

May Day Monday (3rd May) at BYC is always a great way to spend your Bank Holiday with plenty happening down at the Club. Anyone who fancies having a short sail in a dinghy are welcome, both members and guests. The BBQ will be lit and there will be plenty of fun both on and in the water, plus a bit of craic for the dry land members who prefer not to get too wet.

Whether a BBQ summer or not, this year Ballyholme Yacht Club is offering a comprehensive programme of dinghy sailing courses. The variety of courses caters for adults and children from beginners to more advanced sailors.

The Share Holiday Village at Smiths Strand in Lisnaskea provides a range of interesting courses and activities. Read the rest of the story for details of there forthcoming events such as

• Creative Bronze Boat Fittings
• Making a Donegal Curach with sustainable materials
• Mothers Day Cruise
• RYA Courses and Summer Schemes

This course is designed to provide a working knowledge of first aid for all those who go afloat, on inland waters or up to 60 miles offshore. The syllabus is based on the recommendations of the Health and Safety Executive and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The certificate fulfils the requirements of the MCA Code of Practice for the skippers of small commercial vessels up to category 2 and for all RYA practical instructors.

This is an excellent course that gives a real insight into safety at sea and the use of safety equipment which could one day make all of the difference. This course will arm you with the practical and theoretical skills to cope in an emergency situation. Practical time is spent in a pool with a life raft.