I.S.A National Dinghy Scheme
This scheme has been carefully developed to help you to get the most from dinghy sailing-whatever your level or ability. The more competent you are the more enjoyable your sailing. Using this scheme you are assured of a world recognised teaching system enabling the pupil to learn quickly and enjoy the learning experience.
The scheme is progressive – in order to learn more advanced skills you will first need to master basic techniques. If you already have dinghy sailing experience the scheme offers a one or two day direct entry assessment so you can join in at your own level.
The method breaks sailing into different courses from beginner to advanced. These courses contain different course elements which are progressively more informative as one progresses through the levels.
Course elements:
1. Rigging.
2. Ropework.
3. Launch and Recovery.
4. Sailing Techniques + Manoeuvres.
5. Capsize Recovery.
6. Racing.
7. Sailing Theory / Background.
8. Meteorology.
9. Clothing/Equipment
10. Chartwork.
Beginners Courses
A Taste of Sailing: Have a go at sailing. Enjoy funfilled Saturday mornings or Monday evenings afloat at East Ferry. Your instructor will "show you the ropes" and whet your appetite for more! (One 3 hr session)
Start Sailing: Provides a brief taste of dinghy sailing for beginners introducing basic boat handling and background knowledge. This course will make you want more!! Over 90% of our pupils continue to finish the Basic Skills Course. (3 x 3hr sessions)
Basic Skills: By the end of the course the pupil should have a basic knowledge of sailing and be capable of sailing a boat in light winds.(4 x 3 hr sessions)
Dinghy Sailing Sessions: Consolidate your Level 2 skills and take a practice session afloat. ( 3 hr session)
Improver Courses
It is assumed that pupils taking this course have already mastered the basic skills and have absorbed the associated knowledge to a achieve Basic Skills cert. There are several elements to the improver area and these are broken into the following courses: (All 4 x 3 hr sessions)
Improving Skills: Covering ropework, Heaving to, Reefing afloat, Anchoring, Sailing Backwards, Rudderless, terms, Capsize Recovery, Interpeting Forecasts, Tides, Charts.
Adventure: Covering rigging, preparation, anchoring, lee shore, handling stronger winds, weather interpetation. Navigation- charts, tide tables + tides, GPS, compass, transits, position fixing. First Aid.
Kites & Wires: Covering rigging, hoisting, gybing lowering of spinnaker. Capsize recovery. Types of spinnaker boat, use of trapeze and trapeze harness. Apparent wind, hull shapes.
Go Racing: Background, boat types, race organisation, understanding the start and the course. Boat preparation, boat tuning, boat handling, practicing starts, sailing upwind and downwind, finishing, tactics, rules.
Advanced Courses
Advanced Boat Handling, Kites & Wires 2, Go Racing 2, Adventure 2, : These are our top level dinghy sailing courses. Include elements of all improver courses – resulting is an allround sailor who can sail any dinghy in most conditions. Special Advanced Course culminating in Dinghy Instructor Pre Entry Assessment. Have a go at speed sailing!
Special Courses
Refresher Courses
Get your skills up to scratch! Refresher courses are available all year / all levels.
Private Tuition
If you have specific needs or if you wish to "set up" your own boat why not have the total individual attention of one of our expert instructors! Whether you are a beginner, improver or as an advanced sailor we run sessions aboard a variety of dinghies – ideal if you wish to achieve a specific skill or prepare for a course or a holiday.
Mon, Tue, Wed or Sat 15:30 to 18:00 or Mon 19:00- 21:30. Fee € 80. Pre- booking is essential. Please contact Jo English on 021 4811237
Instructor Courses
See our Instructor section for more details on the Assistant Instructor, Dinghy Instructor, Advanced Instructor and Senior Instructor
Dinghy/Keelboat Courses.
Course Location: East Ferry Marina Cobh
Course schedules and prices
Beginners Courses
Start Sailing course runs over 3 evenings Monday, Wednesday, Friday or full day Saturday half day Sunday.
Times: Evenings 1830-2130. Weekends: Saturday 1000-1700 Sunday 1000-1300. Fee €225
Basic Skills course runs over 4 evenings, Monday & Wednesday for two weeks or full day Saturday and Sunday.
Times: Evenings 1830-2130, Weekends 1000-1700. Fee €290
Weekdays Mon to Fri, 1000-1700, Start Sailing and Basic Skills (Lev 1+2), available certain weeks, check with office – 021 4811237
Extra Value – Combined courses – Start Sailing + Basic Skills Fee €490
Private Tuition: Mon, Tue, Wed or Sat 15:30 to 18:00 or Mon 19:00- 21:30. Fee € 80. Pre- booking is essential. Please contact Jo English on 021 4811237
Location:
East Ferry Marina Cobh:
One of the most beautiful sailing locations in the country – after sailing relax on the verandah or the Morlogue Inn and enjoy excellent food and drink!. Perfectly suited to small boat sailing with shelter available in most conditions with beautiful unspoilt sailing waters –
Staying in Cobh:
Please contact our office for details of all levels of accommodation – a special package can be arranged. You can relax and enjoy the full holiday atmosphere and Cobh’s traditional hospitality!! See the extensive regatta programme – we have something happening in Cobh every weekend and racing every Tuesday evening and lots lots more!!!
What to bring:
1. Plenty of warm clothes (including hat ) + a change of clothes.
2. Booties or soft shoes.
3. Waterproofs or oilskins.(May be hired – book in advance)
4. Wetsuits for laser sailing etc..
5. Buoyancy aid (provided – book in advance).
6. Pencil and paper to take notes – a dinghy sailing logbook is necessary for certification and is available from us at € 10. You will also need the course book which is available from the office.
A full range of special backup publications are available from SailCork.
