Displaying items by tag: Sea Scouting

11th October 2021

Sea Scouting Celebrates its 50th Anniversary of the Sea Scout Sailing Regatta

Originally hosted from the decks of the 102-ft Lightship Albatross in Dún Laoghaire Harbour, the event has grown popular as ever within Sea Scouting under a very exciting team-racing format using fleets of Pico/ Topaz ensuring it is fun and accessible for all at Malahide in North County Dublin.

Alongside the main team-racing event, competitors face a seamanship challenge where they are scored on board a multi-hander to sail efficiently around a course and complete exercises as a team such as man-overboard and anchoring.

To mark the 50th anniversary, a single-handed race was also included in this year's events; the Albatross Race, won by Shane O'Rourke from Arklow.

The 16 teams from Malahide, Howth, Dun Laoghaire, Dollymount and Arklow all put in a fantastic effort under very testing and breezy conditions.

Organisers gave a big thanks to Officer Of the Day Colum McCaffrey and Race Officers Roger Campion and Sean Anglim from Malahide YC, who provided x 46 safe and exciting races under two fleets which made for an excellent day of sailing!

Congratulations to the full female Malahide Néala team, who came out on top as this year's Team Racing winners.

Published in Youth Sailing

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.