Irish Sailing Say Support Your Sailing Club

7th April 2020

Galway Bay Sailing Club

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) the situation has quickly evolved, and now we are realising the global perspective of the pandemic. Over the last few weeks, there has been a lot of communication and information shared within the Irish sailing community, and I would like to thank all Irish Sailing members for your positive response to restrictions as they were imposed with ever-increasing severity week by week. It is critical however that our clubs are ready to open their doors for sailing as soon as restrictions start to be lifted, and in order for them to be able to do that they need your support.

The strength of a club is its members, and your support is more important now than ever. Our clubs are where we play, compete and have fun. Clubs aren’t just a place to launch a boat – right now they’re a support network – we hear of amazing stories from up and down the country of clubs organising meals on wheels for more vulnerable members, making sure those cocooning are looked after and raising spirits with online quiz nights. They play a vital role in our society, and they need your help.

Irish Sailing is keen that when the restrictions imposed by the COVID 19 virus are lifted, we will all be in a position to get back out on the water quickly. Even though there’s a lockdown in place, and clubs have had to stop all external operations, a lot of work continues behind the scenes to plan for the summer so that our sports can resume as quickly and efficiently as possible. There are still bills to pay – and that’s where members play their part. Clubs need the subscription income from their membership now if they are going to be fully operational when the time comes.

We understand that these are difficult and uncertain times, but we urge you to support your club. Please pay your membership fees and help your club in these difficult times, so that we have many happy sailing days ahead.

Harry Hermon, CEO

Published in ISA

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Sailing Club

About The Author

Treasa Cox

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Treasa Cox is Head of Communications at Irish 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.