The Cork Harbour-based founder of Sail Cork joined Irish Sailing trainer Claire Toohey to assess a new group of senior instructor candidates at Galway Bay Sailing Club (GBSC) last week (September 5th). The group included trainees from Wicklow, Mayo, Lough Derg and Galway.
English also met with GBSC member and west coast maritime stalwart Pierce Purcell. The pair recalled the early days of Irish Sailing training in the 1970s, when volunteers such as Elizabeth Jameson, Carmel Winkelmann, Capt Paddy Kirwan and Harry Gallagher laid the foundations of the current system.
“Those efforts have led to today’s professional sailing schools across Ireland,” English said.
Toohey praised the standard of the candidates. “Their commitment will encourage many children onto the water and create memories for years to come,” she said.
The assessments were held at the new Galway Bay Sailing Club training facilities. Built with support from the family of the late sailor Ian Quinn, the centre includes training rooms, an open kitchen and equipment storage.
Despite poor weather, practical demonstrations went ahead, and the trainees joined 60 club members for a cruiser racing night. They were accompanied by a pod of dolphins along the Galway coast.
