Irish Schools Sailing launches inaugural Team Racing Training Event

Irish Schools Sailing has announced its first-ever Schools Team Racing Training Clinic at Lough Derg Yacht Club (LDYC), Dromineer, October 4th & 5th.

Open to secondary school students nationwide, the event will combine round-robin team racing in supplied dinghies with on-water coaching, live umpiring, and tactical theory sessions. Teams of six (two per boat) require Level 2 skills for crew and Level 3 for helms, but no prior team racing experience is necessary—participants receive a pre-event study pack.

The weekend includes a full day of racing on Saturday, followed by classroom sessions and dinner, and scenario-based racing with coaching on Sunday, finishing with a prizegiving.

All meals are provided—Bandon Grammar chef Shane Deane leads catering, with Cully & Sully sponsoring soup and CH Marine providing spot prizes.

Affordable camping is available on-site, with alternative accommodation listed by LDYC. This clinic marks the launch of Irish Schools Sailing, aiming to build a national school sailing calendar and expand youth sailing opportunities across Ireland.

Entries close on Friday, 26th September and can be made via the Lough Derg YC website: www.ldyc.ie/event/schools-sailing-regatta. Follow updates on Instagram: @irishschoolssailing.