Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

#Surfing - The therapeutic power of the waves is being used by an Irish network of surfing camps to help children with autism connect with their families and each other. Afloat.ie previously reported on the Surf2heal programme in Tramore -…

#VOR - The latest video update following the construction of the new one-design yacht debuting in next year's Volvo Ocean Race looks at the state-of-the-art technology that will be installed both on board and on shore to make the 12th…

American crews led the way in both races on the first day of the BMW J24 World Championships at Howth Yacht Club today (Monday 26th). After a two-hour delay for wind, the 40-boat fleet finally got away for the first…

#WaterSafety - The RNLI has posted the above video outlining what kayakers can do to call for help if they get into difficulty on the water. Taking a whistle along for the trip is one sensible idea, as is ensuring…

#VerolmeWeekend – To mark the finale of Cork Dockyard Workers Gathering Weekend, the last Mayor of Cobh Town Council, John Mulvihill Jnr, attended yesterday a plaque unveiling dedicated to shipyard workers to include Verolme Cork Dockyard in Rushbrooke, writes Jehan…

#ShippingReview - Over the last fortnight Jehan Ashmore has reported from the shipping scene where Ardmore Shipping Group purchased two 50,300 dwt eco-product tankers worth $68m / €50m from South Korean shipbuilders, SSP. Irish exports could fall by €2.8 billion…

#arcticcircle – The Irish 'North of Disko' expedition, organised by Killary Adventure Company, returned last week from its ten-week voyage to the Arctic Circle and the west coast of Greenland. Stunning images of ice and film footage from the adventure…

#gp14 – With a forecast for the Irish GP14 National suggesting a little more breeze than Saturday but locals concerned that the sea breeze might neutralise Windguru's northerly 8 knots, cautious optimism was the order of the day. First the…

#MarineScience - A team of young scientists have lost a special weather balloon probe somewhere in Dundalk Bay - and they've turned to the internet for help. CoderDojo mentor Daniel O'Reilly, who has been working with the teens on their…

#middlesearace – Two Irish Beneteau designs, Paddy and Dermot Cronin's First 40.7 Encore (IRL8407) and Tony Tennyson/Des Kelliher's First 44.7 Gallileo (IRL 1944) from the National Yacht Club are already entered for the 34th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, starting and finishing in…

#laser – Finn Lynch proved his ISAF silver medal status again at the weekend fighting off a significant internatiional challenge for the Irish Laser Radial title at Royal Cork Yacht Club. The National Yacht Club's Lynch counted only one result…

#WorldRowingChampionships: Ireland’s double scull of Monika Dukarska and Leonora Kennedy took fourth in their heat at the World Rowing Championships in Chungju in Korea this morning and must compete in a repechage to secure a place in the A/B Semi-Finals.…

#rnli – A teenager became very unwell this evening whilst on an angling trip to the Ling Rocks on the south coast. The skipper of the angling boat became concerned as her condition deteriorated and asked Valentia Coast Guard for assistance.…

#isora – Of the 20 boats entered 13 came to the start line at 08.00 on Saturday 24th August to be set off for Pwllheli by Vice Commodore of the NYC, Larry Power writes Peter Ryan. Some of the entrants…

RS – After five races sailed Robert Espey and Mike Gunning won the RS400 Northern championships hosted by Ballyholme Yacht Club this weekend. Despite the absence of wind forecast, and despite Charlie Horder not showing up, the weekend turned out…

#RSELITE – RS Elite Works Boat skipper Jono Brown made a clean sweep of the RS Elite British National Championships at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club leading the ten race event from start to finish. Brown had no result…

#ifds – The practice race for the IFDS World Paralympic Sailing Championships was designated for today at 12 noon writes Claire Bateman. Well, what a day it turned out to be. Before getting anywhere near Kinsale Yacht Club the town…

#dbsc – The MGM boats sponsored DBSC Cruiser Challenge was held in predominantly light airs but this was no barrier to the Paul McCarthy skippered White Mischief in the Sigma 33 One Design class. Second in that class was Ted…

#AllIrelandCoastal: Courtmacsherry were deemed Simply the Best as they won the big one, the senior men’s title, at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships at Carnlough in Co Antrim today. Ring took second place. The senior ladies title was retained by…

The BMW J24 World Championship, which has attracted 40 entries form 10 countries, gets underway in earnest at Howth Yacht Club on Monday 26th with the first two races in the week-long event. A practice race on Sunday on the…