The title of Connaught Schools Team Sailing Champions went to Calasantius College, Oranmore last Saturday (16th April). PHOTOS BELOW. The winning team was made up of Rian Conboy, Cian Walsh, Cormac Furey, Rebecca Mullins, Jenny Carberry, Eoin Breen and David Carberry. Connaught school team entrants included last years Connaught Champions Rice College, Westport who were out in force to defend the title however they were knocked out early in the day. From Galway city were teams from St. Joseph's College, The Bish and Coláiste Éinde, (St. Enda's), and from the county were Scoil Chuimsítheach Chiaráin, Carraroe and Calasanctius College, Oranmore.

This event,  sponsored by Yachtsman Euromarine and organised by Bow Waves Marine School was officially opened by Galway TD., Ciaran Cannon, Minister of State for Training and Skills at 9.30am at Bow Waves, in the Galway Ocean Sports Centre in Galway Harbour Enterprise Park. 'Here in Galway we are so lucky to be surrounded by water. Our young people need to be exposed to such leisure sports as sailing at an early age so as to cultivate a passion and respect for a healthy lifestyle and enjoyment of our waterways. Bow Waves provides an extensive portfolio of high quality marine training to all ages and I commend them for their efforts in developing the Connacht Championships here in Galway and all the efforts they are making for school goers to get involved in sailing,' said Mr. Ciaran Cannon, TD.

The first race began just after 10.00am on the course laid out in Lough Atalia making it very accessible for all to spectate and watch the skills of these young sailors. Seeing the dinghy sailing activity on the sparkling water with the sun shine is a great start to a summers activities. This unusual sight attracted the attention of Galwegians and visitors alike. Early in the day, the wind was very light making racing difficult however the wind picked up as the sun came out in the afternoon adding to the excitement of the day.

The Connaught Schools Team Sailing Championships takes place in Galway this Saturday. Post-primary schools from all around Connaught have been invited to enter a team of six in the regional competition. Last year's Connaught Champions from Rice College, Westport will be out in force to defend their title however with a few new entrants the sailing competition is likely to be exciting. The event will be officially launched by Galway TD., Ciaran Cannon, Minister of State for Training and Skills at 9.30am at Bow Waves, in the Galway Ocean Sports Centre in Galway Harbour Enterprise Park.

The first race begins at 10.15am on the course laid out in Lough Atalia making it very accessible for all to spectate and watch the skills of these young sailors. Each school will have the opportunity to race against all other teams in a round robin series, followed by a semi-finals and a final heat. Viewing vantage points will be from Lough Atalia road and the balcony at the Radisson SAS hotel. This promises to be an action filled day with races running right into the evening.

Bow Waves is a leading watersports facility, based in the Galway Harbour Enterprise Development, running both leisure and commercial marine training courses year round. It was founded in 1996 by Finbarr O'Regan, a seasoned trainer, who has 20 years experience in marine, watersports and safety training.

"We've got the perfect location for sailing within the safe, sheltered waters of Lough Atalia. This is truly a one of kind sailing experience that will be both challenging and lots of fun for students,' O'Regan added.

'As a parent of three children, I see how important it is to sew the seeds early to develop an interest in healthy activities like sailing particularly in their teens,' said Finbarr O'Regan, 'by providing regional competitions like this, we assist children to look to the water as a great hobby and lifestyle into their adult years.' Finbarr and his wife Marguerite met through their involvement in watersports and decided to set up Bow Waves in Galway in the nineties as they settled down in the west of Ireland, having travelled the world with their common passion and interest. 'Our waterways, rivers and Galway Bay are fantastic natural amenities, how we use them and enjoy them can be greatly improved by starting children at a young age and can make a great difference to their future interests and a lifelong hobby,' commented Finbarr.