The ISA (Irish Sailing Association) Small Boat Sailing Scheme courses are the ideal way to either start sailing for the first time or build on the skills you already have.

The courses are suitable for sailors aged between 10-16 and are designed to be taken in sequence. Each course is lead by a qualified Sailing Instructor who with the help of an Assistant Instructor ensures that your sailor learns to sail in a fun and safe environment.
The Start Sailing and Basic Skills courses have a maximum of 8 sailors. The Improving Skills, Advanced Boat Handling, Start Racing/Adventure and Kites & Wires courses have a maximum of 10 sailors.
This year we are running the following ISA courses:
Membership of WSC is required prior to booking.

Start Sailing (Level 1)
This course is for sailors learning to sail for the first time, or for those sailors who have completed the Cara Na Mara Dolphin course. The course is designed to get the sailor sailing in light winds with the assistance of an instructor.
- Minimum Age: 10 years
- 2 week course.
- Boat rental is included in the course cost.
- They will need their own full length wetsuit for all day courses, a PFD (life jacket/bouyancy aid) and old runners or booties.
- Participants should be capable of swimming at least 25m so they can go after their boat when they capsize.
Start Sailing (Level 1) | Dates | 9:30am to 4pm daily | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Course A | July 3rd - 14th | FULL | €390(including boat rental) |
Course B | July 17th - 28th | FULL | €390(including boat rental) |
Course C | July 31st - August 11th (inc bank holiday Monday) | Enroll | €390(including boat rental) |

Basic Skills (Level 2)
This course is for sailors who have completed the Start Sailing (Level 1) course, or can demonstrate the skills and knowledge included in the Start Sailing course. The course is designed to get the sailor sailing in light winds without the assistance of an instructor.
- 2 week course
- Boat rental is included in the course cost.
- They will need their own full length wetsuit for all day courses, a PFD (life jacket/bouyancy aid) and old runners or booties.
- Participants should be capable of swimming at least 25m so they can go after their boat when they capsize.
Basic Skills (Level 2) | Dates | 9:30am to 4pm daily | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Course A | July 3rd - 14th | FULL | €390(including boat rental) |
Course B | July 17th - 28th | FULL | €390(including boat rental) |
Course C | July 31st - August 11th (inc bank holiday Monday) | Enroll | €390(including boat rental) |

Improving Skills (Level 3)
This course is for sailors who have completed the Basic Skills (Level 2) course. The course is designed to get the sailor sailing in moderate conditions, and to improve the sailors skills.
- 2 weeks course
- Sailors at this level need access to their own boat.
- Sailors doing this course will be expected to have been sailing since completing their Basic Skills course.
- They will need their own full length wetsuit for all day courses, a PFD (life jacket/bouyancy aid) and old runners or booties.
- They will be a competent swimmer able to right a capsized boat and continue sailing.
Improving Skills (Level 3) | Dates | 9:30am to 4:30pm daily | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Course A | July 3rd - 14th | FULL | €330Own boat required |
Course B | July 17th - 28th | Enroll | €330Own boat required |
Course C | July 31st - 11th August (inc bank holiday Monday) | Enroll | €330Own boat required |

Advanced Boat Handling (Level 4)
This course is for sailors who have completed the Improving Skills (Level 3) course and been sailing regularly.
If you have not been regularly practising these skills in WSC you will need to produce a log book of where you have been sailing. (We will accept regatta web published results as an alternate to a log book).
- 2 week course.
- Sailors at this level need access to their own boat.
- They will need their own full length wetsuit for all day courses, a PFD (life jacket/bouyancy aid) and old runners or booties.
- They will be a competent swimmer able to right a capsized boat and continue sailing.
Advanced Boat Handling (Level 4) | Dates | 9:30 to 4pm daily | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Course A | July 3rd - 14th | FULL | €330Own boat required |
Course B | July 17th - 28th | Enroll | €330Own boat required |

Start Racing / Adventure (Level 4)
This course will introduce you to sail boat racing and develop your skills and knowledge to a level where you can comfortably race at club and inter club level. There will also be a day long sail and the opportunity to camp overnight (weather permitting).
WSC advises sailors that ABH (see above) should be completed before this course.
- 2 week course.
- Sailors at this level need access to their own boat.
- They will need their own full length wetsuit for all day courses, a PFD (life jacket/bouyancy aid) and old runners or booties.
- They will be a competent swimmer able to right a capsized boat and continue sailing.
Level 4 | Dates | 9:30 to 4pm daily | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Start Racing & AdventureCourse A | June 19th - 30th | Enroll | €330Own boat required |

Kites & Wires (Level 4)
This course will introduce you to the thrills and spills of sailing with spinnakers and trapezes.
WSC advises sailors that ABH (see above) should be completed before this course.
- 2 week course.
- Boat Rental is required as only WSC club boats can only be used.
- They will need their own full length wetsuit for all day courses, a PFD (life jacket/bouyancy aid) and old runners or booties.
- They will be a competent swimmer able to right a capsized boat and continue sailing.
Level 4 | Dates | 9:30 to 4pm daily | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Kites & Wires | June 19th - 30th | Enroll | €390(including boat rental) |