Sailing & Powerboat Courses

Learn to sail, improve your sailing skills, or learn how to handle a powerboat with one of our ISA-approved courses.

Adult Sailing Courses

A series of sailing courses for adults is being run over the summer. Our Adult Sailing courses have been specially developed to provide the best introduction to the thrills of sailing for beginners. Our ISA “Start Sailing” courses take place at the Skerries Sailing Club facilities in our new training dinghies.  We also provide:

• Wet suits
• Buoyancy aids
• Certificates on completion of the course

ISA Level 1 - Dinghy - "Start Sailing"

This is a 2 full days or 4 evenings course and will introduce you to the basic boat handling techniques and background knowledge necessary to get started in sailing. By the end of the course, participants will have had a short introduction to the sport of sailing, including basic boat handling techniques and essential background knowledge.

You can download the application form for this course from our downloads section. If you require more information about this course, please email courses@skerriessailingclub.com.

ISA Level 2 - Dinghy - Basic Skills

This is a 3 full day course, suitable for those who have completed our Level 1 introductory course and have some sailing experience. By the end of this course you will be sailing on your own in light wind conditions without assistance from your instructor. You will be expected to be able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge included in the Start Sailing course.

You can download the application form for this course from our downloads section. If you require more information about this course, please email courses@skerriessailingclub.com.

ISA Level 1 - Keelboat - Start Sailing

This course will introduce you to the basic boat handling techniques and background knowledge necessary to get started in sailing. By the end of the course, participants will have had a short introduction to the sport of sailing, including basic boat handling techniques and essential background knowledge.

You can download the application form for this course from our downloads section. If you require more information about this course, please email courses@skerriessailingclub.com.

ISA Level 2 - Keelboat - Basic Skills

This course is suitable for people who’ve completed our Start Sailing course and have some sailing experience.  By the end of this course you should have acquired the necessary skills to rig and safely sail a boat without assistance in light winds. You will also be prepared for the specialist courses ahead.

You can download the application form for this course from our downloads section. If you require more information about this course, please email courses@skerriessailingclub.com.

ISA Level 3 - Keelboat - Improving Skills

This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need in order to set up and sail the boat more effectively and in stronger conditions.

You can download the application form for this course from our downloads section. If you require more information about this course, please email courses@skerriessailingclub.com.

Adult Powerboat Courses

ISA Level 1 - Introduction to Powerboating

The aim of this course is to provide a short practical introduction to boat handling and safety on powerboats being used on all Irish waters.  It is ideally suited to those looking for anyone new to powerboating and those whose primary role will be as crew on a powerboat. By the end of the course participants will be able to safely and effectively crew a powerboat and take the helm while under supervision.

You can download the application form for this course from our downloads section. If you require more information about this or other courses, please email courses@skerriessailingclub.com.

ISA Level 2 - National Powerboat Certificate

The aim of this two day course is to develop the skills and knowledge that allow participants to safely and effectively skipper an open powerboat by day, on inland and coastal waters with which they are familiar.

The ISA recommends this Certificate as the minimum level of training/knowledge required before anyone uses a power boat on their own. In the majority of cases beginners would do this course and the Introduction to Powerboating as part of the same Two day course. The certificate can also be achieved through direct assessment by a Powerboat Instructor.

You can download the application form for this course from our downloads section. If you require more information about this course, please email courses@skerriessailingclub.com.

ISA Level 3 - Safety Boat Certificate

By the end of this course, the successful candidate will have a wide range of boat handling techniques and experience in the provision of safety cover for sailing events. Areas covered will include, towing, assistance with race management, mark laying and the provision of assistance for sailing dinghies (single handed & crewed), sail boards and canoes.

You can download the application form for this course from our downloads section. If you require more information about this course, please email courses@skerriessailingclub.com.

Other Adult Sailing & Powerboat Courses

Additional courses at other times and covering other levels of sailing and power boating will be run. If you are interested in a sailing or powerboat course that is not currently listed here, please contact us at courses@skerriessailingclub.com to see how we can help. We run powerboat courses for ISA level 1 & 2 and Safety Boat (Level 3).

Age Restrictions
Under Irish law it is illegal for anyone under the age of sixteen to operate a powerboat that is capable of 17 knots or more.  We are therefore unable to offer training courses in planing boats to anyone under sixteen years old.  However if you are under sixteen you may do the Introduction to Powerboating or the National Powerboat Certificate in a displacement boat, where this is available.

Junior Sailing Courses

A comprehensive range of ISA sailing courses for juniors is run during June and July each year. These courses are always popular and are quickly booked out, so be sure to apply for the appropriate course for your child in plenty of time.

Full details of the various junior courses and application form are available in the Junior Section.

Individual Coaching

While SSC does not provide individual coaching, we do maintain a list of qualified instructors who may be able to assist you if you are interested in one-to-one tutition. Contact details for each instructor are listed where available.

Senior Instructors, Sailing

Senior Instructors, Powerboat

Dinghy Instructors

If you are an instructor and wish to be included in the above lists, or you wish to amend the details shown, please contact courses@skerriessailingclub.com.