Junior Training at Wicklow Sailing Club
John Headley, currently a Trustee of WSC, set up the Junior Training programme back in the early '70's and it has continued unbroken up to today, the mantle having passed to various Organisers from Barry O Sullivan, Sean Flood and others to our present day gang of 4 - Richard Nairn, Fiona Butterworth, Philo Kinnane and Sean Flood. In that time some notable sailors who are making (or have made) their mark in the world of Maritime affairs and further afield - Mark Mills, Simon and Jonathon Greenwood, David Mc Hugh, Kevin Johnson, Barry and Bryan Byrne and Brian Flahive amongst others got their feet wet, so to speak, in the WSC Junior Training programme. We are proud of our contribution to the development of our youth and are especially grateful for the many years of graft put in by the above mentioned John Headley in establishing this legacy for WSC.
2007 Training Programme
The newly surfaced boat park at Wicklow Sailing Club will be the venue for the annual training course for young sailors this summer. The four-week course will start on Monday 30st July and will provide training for another group of young sailors from the Wicklow area. Level 1 and 2 trainees (beginners) will have a choice of either of two 2-week courses beginning on Monday 30th July or Monday 13th August. Please note - Junior Training boats only have use of the boat park/field for the period of Junior Training - they must apply and pay for space otherwise, if available (penalties apply if left unauthorised).
Wicklow Sailing Club is a training establishment recognised by the Irish Sailing Association and has a long tradition of teaching young sailors the skills of handling and racing boats. Safety at sea is a high priority of the course and all trainees must wear lifejackets at all times on the water. A team of fully qualified and accredited instructors will be on hand to run the course. This includes three senior instructors and local dinghy instructors: Jay Moran, Johnny Flood, Claire Morton and Charlie Butterworth. The course is suitable for both beginners and experienced sailors alike although existing WSC members and those with their own boats are given priority. The minimum age for trainees is ten years and all applicants must be able to swim.
Further details and application forms are available from Wicklow Sailing Club (located at the end of the South Quay beside the Lifeboat Station) or by telephoning Fiona Butterworth at 086 1522527. The closing date for applications is Friday 1st June.