Conference to Highlight Big Sailing Season

22nd February 2012

#SAILING – An Irish sailing conference has undergone a revamp to boost the sport in Ireland ahead of a season billed as one of the biggest in years.

Irish footwear manufacturer Dubarry of Ireland are on board as sponsors for the one day event on March 3 that includes a number of presentations including one from tourism body Failte Ireland on a long overdue marine leisure strategy for Ireland.

As well as seminars and workshops the Olympic team manager James O'Callaghan will give an Olympic update as three boats (and possibly two more) prepare for the Weymouth regatta in July.

The conference will also deal with the findings of a review of the annual All Ireland sailing championships.

The ISA conference takes place on March 3 in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

More from ISA here:

The Irish Sailing Association (ISA) is delighted to announce its partnership with Dubarry of Ireland for the ISA Dubarry 6th Annual National Conference. The event will take place on the 3rd of March in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin to launch what will be one of the most exciting years for watersports in Ireland with so many major international events being hosted in Ireland as well as the participation of the Irish Olympic Sailing team in London 2012.

Dubarry of Ireland Marketing Director, Michael Walsh remarked "2012 is the celebration of Dubarry's 75th year in business, having been established in 1937 in County Galway. Dubarry have had a very long association with sailing in Ireland down the years and we are delighted to sponsor this ISA National Conference in a year that is very special for us. We also have the Volvo Ocean Race coming to Galway with a strong on board Dubarry product presence on both Telefonica and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing".

The ISA Conference has undergone a revamp for 2012. With many high profile events coming to Irish shores this year it is important for the ISA to provide a platform from which to increase awareness of sailing which in turn will drive incremental participation in the sport.

The one day conference, which will be facilitated by RTE broadcaster Fergal Keane, will host seminars and workshops across a range of interesting topics including the latest training and racing topics, raising money, running successful events and media management delivered by guest speakers.

Among the many seminars, Failte Ireland will be presenting their Marine Leisure Marketing Strategy for 2012 as well as detailing how international events benefit Ireland's tourism industry. Learn more about the international events Ireland will be hosting including the ISAF Youth Worlds, Cork Week, Round Ireland, the Volvo Ocean Race and many more.

With three ISA Olympic Teams having already qualified for London 2012, the ISA High Performance Manager James O'Callaghan will be delivering an Olympic Update as we follow the athletes as they prepare for the pinnacle of four years of training.

ISA Chief Executive Harry Hermon states "We are delighted to welcome Dubarry on board as title sponsors of the ISA Annual Conference and wish them continued success during their 75th year in business. The ISA Dubarry 6th Annual National Conference is free for all ISA members and we are looking forward to a strong attendance at this year's event so we can pull all resources together to drive the sport forward".

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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.