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Displaying items by tag: windsurfing

#TRY BOATING – As well as the Round the World Racers on show at the Volvo Ocean Race 2011- 2012 Grand Finale in Galway (30th June to 8th July 2012) there's also a chance to get on the water have a try at Sailing, Windsurfing, Paddle Boarding, Sea kayaking and Water Polo.

Get on board a Galway Hooker, Donegal Drondheim, Achill Yawl and Arab Dhow. See what it's like on board a modern racer cruiser. Accessible sailing for those with restricted mobility are also catered for.

Volvo Youth Academy

• Try Sailing on a Ludic 18 foot sailing dinghy with an experienced local sailor in a safe environment. Just visit the Race village any day 1100 to 1700 and book a place. Free age 10+.

• Website www.volvooceanracegalway.com

Ocean Youth Trust 

• Try Sailing on a RS Elite 18 foot sailing keel boat with an experienced local sailor in a safe environment. Just visit the Race village from Wednesday 4th July 1100 to 1900 and book a place. Free age 12+.

• More information from Bronagh Cappa-Campbell email [email protected] telephone 00442890453062. Website www.oyti.org

Galway Bay Sailing Club

• Try Sailing on a Vision 16 foot sailing dinghy with an experienced local sailor in a safe environment. Just visit the Race village any day 1100 to 1700 and book a place. Free Age 10+.

• Tried the sailing want to take the helm then the Taste of Sailing is for you. Then book a place on the half day Taste of Sailing Course and get your Irish Sailing Association certificate.

• Morning and Afternoon Sessions aged 10+.

• Multiple half days can be booked to make up a longer course.

• Take the helm and learn to sail on the 12 foot RS Feva double handed dinghy either on the waters of Lough Atalia or off the beach at the Galway Ocean Sports Club.

• Cost €10 per half day session booking in advanced from Thomas Mills 087 7754514.

• Email [email protected] website www.gbsc.ie or at the Race Village.

Bow Waves

• Try Sailing on a Laser 16 foot sailing dinghy with an experienced local sailor in a safe environment. Just visit the Race village any day 1100 to 1700 and book a place. Free Age 10+.

• Tried the sailing want to take the helm then the Taste of Sailing is for you. The book a place on the half day Taste of Sailing Course and get your Irish Sailing Association (ISA) certificate.

o Morning and Afternoon Sessions aged 10+.

o Multiple half days can be booked to make up a longer course.

o Take the helm and learn to sail on the 12 foot Topper Topaz double handed dinghy either on the waters of Lough Atalia or off the beach at the Galway Ocean Sports Club.

o Cost €10 per half day session booking in advanced by telephone 091560560 or 0878077177.

o Email [email protected] website www.bowwaves.com or at the Race Village

Accessible Sailing

• Sailing session for people with disabilities.

• The Irish Disabled Sailing Association, ISA, GBSC and Even Keel have teamed up to bring a fleet of 7 boats which will cater for different needs.

• Morning and Afternoon Sessions. Free aged 8+.

• Booking in advance by Email [email protected] by telephone 0878800744. Websites www.sailforce.ie, www.sailing.ie, www.gbsc.ie and www.theevenkeel.com

Galway Hooker Association

• Get on board a traditional Galway Hooker to get to know the ropes from the sheets and the canvas from the blocs.

• On the Quay side all week.

• More information from Padraic de Bhaldraithe email [email protected] or telephone 0876591904. Website www.galwayhookerassociation.ie

Rusheen Bay Windsurfing

You prefer to do some sailing standing up the Taste of Windsurfing is for you. Then book a place on the half day Taste of Windsurfing and get your Irish Sailing Association certificate RBW.

o Afternoon sessions weekends and evening Sessions all week.

o Multiple half days can be booked to make up a longer course.

o Stand up and sail on safe waters of Rusheen bay aged 12+.

o Cost €20 per half day session booking in advanced from Danny Mulryan 0862605702.

o Email [email protected] website www.rusheenbay.com or at the Race Village.

Try Sea Kayaking with Burren Outdoor Education Centre and Kayakmor

If you prefer going for a paddle then explore the shore line from the docks to Hare Island in a sea Kayak.

• Morning and Afternoon Sessions with Burren Outdoor Education Centre

o Fee €5 aged 10+ at the Race Village.

o More information from Joanna McInerney 087 2229459

o Email [email protected] website www.burrenoec.com

• Evening Sessions

o Fee €5 aged 10+ at the Race Village.

o More information from Jim Morryissey 087 7565578

o Email [email protected] website www.kayakmor.com

Puma Stand Up Paddle Boarding

You can now go padding standing up Puma are bringing their latest carbon fibre boards for you to try.

• All day sessions aged 12+ free.

• Off the prom at Palmers Rock Salthill.

• More information from Mark Paaluhi of Puma on 00- 310-927-1288

• Email [email protected] website www.puma.com

Corrib Water Polo and Swim Club Try Water Polo

I f you really want to play ball and get up to your neck in water have a go at the try water polo session.

• Wednesday 4th July 1730, aged 15 and under free.

• Must be able to swim a width.

• Kingfisher Club NUIG

• More information from Andy Flanagan

• Email [email protected]

Published in Ocean Race

#KITESURFING - Windsurfers have vowed to battle to overturn the decision to cut their sport from the Olympic Games in 2016 in favour of kitesurfing.

As the Independent reports, kitesurfing has been given two medal events at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, following a mid-term meeting of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) in Italy.

"I am raw, sore, and shell-shocked by the decision," said Rory Ramsden, secretary of the RSX board association, who was also said to be rocked by the turning of the tide against windsurfing at the emotionally charged meeting.

Ireland's John Crebbin was among those who gave impassioned speeches in favour of kitesurfing before the board voted 19-17 in favour of the relatively new discipline - a decision strongly supported by the USA, Bulgaria, Greece and even windsurfing stalwarts Spain.

The French contingent, meanwhile, was reportedly "devastated" at the news.

A two-thirds majority would be required by the windsurfing lobby to overturn the decision at the ISAF’s annual general meeting in November.

The Independent has more on the story HERE.

Published in Kitesurfing

#WINDSURFING - Ireland's windsurfers have been set with the challenge - find the strongest storm conditions for the ride of their lives.

The Red Bull Storm Chase 2012 will see 10 of the world’s best windsurfers take part in what the energy drinks brand describes as the most challenging windsurfing contest of all time, as they sail willingly into force 10 winds and monster surf to match.

Suggestions for venues opened on 1 May at redbullstormchase.com - and no doubt the incredible storm surges off Mullaghmore Head will be at the top of Irish lists.

Come July, amateurs and professionals alike from around can register to take part, with a community vote deciding the 10 finalists. Then from August to November, the global hunt for the storms begins, with the field gradually narrowing down to determine the victor.

"Red Bull Storm Chase gives us a dream contest," said PWA World Tour head judge head judge Duncan Coombs. "We’ll travel to the storm instead of waiting for it to find us. We can expect to pull off a competition in the most extreme wind and wave conditions, in new found places.

"We will do our best to push the boundaries of competition and to explore the world’s most radical conditions."

Published in Surfing

#RACING - Mayo Sailing Club's winter series of lectures continues this Thursday 23 February with a talk by Ed Alcock on 'The Rules of Racing'.

Alcock is racing manager of the Irish Sailing Association (ISA), and his lecture will outline the laws that govern racing by windpower on the water in Ireland, covering classes from yachts and dinghies to windsurfing, kitesurfing and more.

Topics to be covered include rights and obligations on the water, giving way, keeping clear, red flags and protest forms.

Sailors of all craft are invited to attend the evening, and anyone wanting to get involved in racing is also welcome, especially with the 2012 racing season only eight weeks away.

Alcock's talk takes place this Thursday at 7.30pm in GMIT Castlebar. The Galway Advertiser has more HERE.

Published in Racing

#WINDSURFING - Oisín van Gelderen is all but confirmed as Irish Speed Sailing Champion for the second year running.

His national record speed (44.23 knots by 5x10 second average and 43.96 knots over 500m) puts him far ahead of his nearest competition in the rankings.

But his competitive spirit would not let him rest on his laurels.

"Ever since setting that record in February, I have been trying to beat it," he said, "and we had a really good day on Thursday in Dungarvan."

Though he did not beat his averages, he did set a new Irish record for peak speed at 47.89 knots (verification pending).

Van Gelderen dedicated his previous national title win to to the memory of Surfdock founder Alan Harris and Irish 500m speed record holder John Kenny, who both passed away in 2010.

Meanwhile, his Surfdock teammate Noelle Doran has taken the women's title for 2011 with a very impressive set of times for the year.

Her Irish women's peak record of 38.17 knots was complemented by third overall place for 2011 by 5x10 second average and first in the world over 500m.

"I'm so delighted for her," said Van Gelderen. "She had a nasty injury a few years ago, where she dislocated her hip while windsurfing. The resulting nerve damage put a stop to her competing in Waves and Freestyle, where she had multiple national titles."

Published in Surfing
Newstalk reports that an experienced windsurfer was rescued from Galway Bay on Sunday night.
The crew of Galway's RNLI lifeboat were alerted at 4pm on Sunday afternoon after the windsurfer had been caught out by strong north-westerly winds. The man was found uninjured and taken to safety.
Galway RNLI warns that high winds can come up fast in Galway Bay, which can cause difficulties for even experienced sailors or windsurfers.
Newstalk reports that an experienced windsurfer was rescued from Galway Bay on Sunday night. 

The crew of Galway's RNLI lifeboat were alerted at 4pm on Sunday afternoon after the windsurfer had been caught out by strong north-westerly winds. The man was found uninjured and taken to safety.

Galway RNLI warns that high winds can come up fast in Galway Bay, which can cause difficulties for even experienced sailors or windsurfers.
Published in Galway Harbour
Irish windsurfer Mikey Clancy is returning to the Professional Windsurfers' Association World Tour.
Sailing.ie reports that Clancy will compete at the World Cup Wave event in Pozo, Gran Canaria from 5-10 July before moving on to the PWA event in El Medano, Tenerife from 14-20 July.
Clancy has made a good recovery since a serious ankle injury almost ruled him out of a professional career in windsurfing.
Later in the year the PWA tour moves onto Denmark and Germany before the final event takes place in Cape Verde.
For more details see Mikey Clancy's official website HERE.

Irish windsurfer Mikey Clancy is returning to the Professional Windsurfers' Association World Tour.

Sailing.ie reports that Clancy will compete at the World Cup Wave event in Pozo, Gran Canaria from 5-10 July before moving on to the PWA event in El Medano, Tenerife from 14-20 July.  

Clancy has made a good recovery since a serious ankle injury almost ruled him out of a professional career in windsurfing.

Later in the year the PWA tour moves onto Denmark and Germany before the final event takes place in Cape Verde.

For more details see Mikey Clancy's official website HERE.

Published in Surfing
Oisín van Gelderen has won the Irish Speed Sailing Championship for 2010 after a phenomenal season.
The Afloat.ie/Irish Independent Sailor of the Month for September 2010 had a clean slate of results for the year, posting the fastest speeds over 500m and by 10-second average.
But the highlight of his year was undoubtedly his personal record-breaking speed trials in West Kirby, near Liverpool (SEE VIDEO BELOW) where he reached a maximum speed of 47.17 knots (87.36 kmph).
"I am looking forward to 2011, and hope to improve my speeds, and spend a lot
more time back in the waves this year too," he said.
Van Gelderen dedicated his title win to the memory of Surfdock founder Alan Harris and Irish 500m speed record holder John Kenny, who both passed away in 2010.

Oisín van Gelderen has won the Irish Speed Sailing Championship for 2010 after a phenomenal season.

The Afloat.ie/Irish Independent Sailor of the Month for September 2010 had a clean slate of results for the year, posting the fastest speeds over 500m and by 10-second average.

But the highlight of his year was undoubtedly his personal record-breaking speed trials in West Kirby, near Liverpool (SEE VIDEO BELOW) where he reached a maximum speed of 47.17 knots (87.36 kmph).

"I am looking forward to 2011, and hope to improve my speeds, and spend a lot more time back in the waves this year too," he said.

Van Gelderen dedicated his title win to the memory of Surfdock founder Alan Harris and Irish 500m speed record holder John Kenny, who both passed away in 2010.

Published in Surfing

French kite surfer Alex Caizergues set a New World Speed Sailing Record at 54.10 knots during his first run at this week's Luderitz Speed Challenge event earlier today in Namibia. (SCROLL DOWN FOR VID BELOW)

The event renowned for its super high winds also saw five new national records set. (see below)

The battle for the title of "the fastest speed sailor in the world" is far from over though with more big winds forecast in Luderitz  this week and next it looks certain Caizergues new record time could yet be beaten. 

Kite Surfing:
USA - Rob Douglas, 51.88
Namibia - Stefan Metzger 45.02
New Zealand - Gavin Broadbent, 50.93
French Womens National record - Charlotte Consorti, 45.23
Australia -Tim Pumpa, 46.78 (best kite speed record performance)

Windsurfing:
Sweden -Anders Bringdal, 44.80.
U.K - Zara Davis, 36.99, Female World performance with Production Board
Sebastien Cattelan from France is placed 2nd in the world speed sailing rankings at 52.33 knots.

 

 

Published in Kitesurfing
Page 5 of 5

Irish Olympic Sailing Team

Ireland has a proud representation in sailing at the Olympics dating back to 1948. Today there is a modern governing structure surrounding the selection of sailors the Olympic Regatta

Irish Olympic Sailing FAQs

Ireland’s representation in sailing at the Olympics dates back to 1948, when a team consisting of Jimmy Mooney (Firefly), Alf Delany and Hugh Allen (Swallow) competed in that year’s Summer Games in London (sailing off Torquay). Except for the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Ireland has sent at least one sailor to every Summer Games since then.

  • 1948 – London (Torquay) — Firefly: Jimmy Mooney; Swallow: Alf Delany, Hugh Allen
  • 1952 – Helsinki — Finn: Alf Delany * 1956 – Melbourne — Finn: J Somers Payne
  • 1960 – Rome — Flying Dutchman: Johnny Hooper, Peter Gray; Dragon: Jimmy Mooney, David Ryder, Robin Benson; Finn: J Somers Payne
  • 1964 – Tokyo — Dragon: Eddie Kelliher, Harry Maguire, Rob Dalton; Finn: Johnny Hooper 
  • 1972 – Munich (Kiel) — Tempest: David Wilkins, Sean Whitaker; Dragon: Robin Hennessy, Harry Byrne, Owen Delany; Finn: Kevin McLaverty; Flying Dutchman: Harold Cudmore, Richard O’Shea
  • 1976 – Montreal (Kingston) — 470: Robert Dix, Peter Dix; Flying Dutchman: Barry O’Neill, Jamie Wilkinson; Tempest: David Wilkins, Derek Jago
  • 1980 – Moscow (Tallinn) — Flying Dutchman: David Wilkins, Jamie Wilkinson (Silver medalists) * 1984 – Los Angeles — Finn: Bill O’Hara
  • 1988 – Seoul (Pusan) — Finn: Bill O’Hara; Flying Dutchman: David Wilkins, Peter Kennedy; 470 (Women): Cathy MacAleavy, Aisling Byrne
  • 1992 – Barcelona — Europe: Denise Lyttle; Flying Dutchman: David Wilkins, Peter Kennedy; Star: Mark Mansfield, Tom McWilliam
  • 1996 – Atlanta (Savannah) — Laser: Mark Lyttle; Europe: Aisling Bowman (Byrne); Finn: John Driscoll; Star: Mark Mansfield, David Burrows; 470 (Women): Denise Lyttle, Louise Cole; Soling: Marshall King, Dan O’Grady, Garrett Connolly
  • 2000 – Sydney — Europe: Maria Coleman; Finn: David Burrows; Star: Mark Mansfield, David O'Brien
  • 2004 – Athens — Europe: Maria Coleman; Finn: David Burrows; Star: Mark Mansfield, Killian Collins; 49er: Tom Fitzpatrick, Fraser Brown; 470: Gerald Owens, Ross Killian; Laser: Rory Fitzpatrick
  • 2008 – Beijing (Qingdao) — Star: Peter O’Leary, Stephen Milne; Finn: Tim Goodbody; Laser Radial: Ciara Peelo; 470: Gerald Owens, Phil Lawton
  • 2012 – London (Weymouth) — Star: Peter O’Leary, David Burrows; 49er: Ryan Seaton, Matt McGovern; Laser Radial: Annalise Murphy; Laser: James Espey; 470: Gerald Owens, Scott Flanigan
  • 2016 – Rio — Laser Radial (Women): Annalise Murphy (Silver medalist); 49er: Ryan Seaton, Matt McGovern; 49erFX: Andrea Brewster, Saskia Tidey; Laser: Finn Lynch; Paralympic Sonar: John Twomey, Ian Costello & Austin O’Carroll

Ireland has won two Olympics medals in sailing events, both silver: David Wilkins, Jamie Wilkinson in the Flying Dutchman at Moscow 1980, and Annalise Murphy in the Laser Radial at Rio 2016.

The current team, as of December 2020, consists of Laser sailors Finn Lynch, Liam Glynn and Ewan McMahon, 49er pairs Ryan Seaton and Seafra Guilfoyle, and Sean Waddilove and Robert Dickson, as well as Laser Radial sailors Annalise Murphy and Aoife Hopkins.

Irish Sailing is the National Governing Body for sailing in Ireland.

Irish Sailing’s Performance division is responsible for selecting and nurturing Olympic contenders as part of its Performance Pathway.

The Performance Pathway is Irish Sailing’s Olympic talent pipeline. The Performance Pathway counts over 70 sailors from 11 years up in its programme.The Performance Pathway is made up of Junior, Youth, Academy, Development and Olympic squads. It provides young, talented and ambitious Irish sailors with opportunities to move up through the ranks from an early age. With up to 100 young athletes training with the Irish Sailing Performance Pathway, every aspect of their performance is planned and closely monitored while strong relationships are simultaneously built with the sailors and their families

Rory Fitzpatrick is the head coach of Irish Sailing Performance. He is a graduate of University College Dublin and was an Athens 2004 Olympian in the Laser class.

The Performance Director of Irish Sailing is James O’Callaghan. Since 2006 James has been responsible for the development and delivery of athlete-focused, coach-led, performance-measured programmes across the Irish Sailing Performance Pathway. A Business & Economics graduate of Trinity College Dublin, he is a Level 3 Qualified Coach and Level 2 Coach Tutor. He has coached at five Olympic Games and numerous European and World Championship events across multiple Olympic classes. He is also a member of the Irish Sailing Foundation board.

Annalise Murphy is by far and away the biggest Irish sailing star. Her fourth in London 2012 when she came so agonisingly close to a bronze medal followed by her superb silver medal performance four years later at Rio won the hearts of Ireland. Murphy is aiming to go one better in Tokyo 2021. 

Under head coach Rory Fitzpatrick, the coaching staff consists of Laser Radial Academy coach Sean Evans, Olympic Laser coach Vasilij Zbogar and 49er team coach Matt McGovern.

The Irish Government provides funding to Irish Sailing. These funds are exclusively for the benefit of the Performance Pathway. However, this falls short of the amount required to fund the Performance Pathway in order to allow Ireland compete at the highest level. As a result the Performance Pathway programme currently receives around €850,000 per annum from Sport Ireland and €150,000 from sponsorship. A further €2 million per annum is needed to have a major impact at the highest level. The Irish Sailing Foundation was established to bridge the financial gap through securing philanthropic donations, corporate giving and sponsorship.

The vision of the Irish Sailing Foundation is to generate the required financial resources for Ireland to scale-up and execute its world-class sailing programme. Irish Sailing works tirelessly to promote sailing in Ireland and abroad and has been successful in securing funding of 1 million euro from Sport Ireland. However, to compete on a par with other nations, a further €2 million is required annually to realise the ambitions of our talented sailors. For this reason, the Irish Sailing Foundation was formed to seek philanthropic donations. Led by a Board of Directors and Head of Development Kathryn Grace, the foundation lads a campaign to bridge the financial gap to provide the Performance Pathway with the funds necessary to increase coaching hours, upgrade equipment and provide world class sport science support to a greater number of high-potential Irish sailors.

The Senior and Academy teams of the Performance Pathway are supported with the provision of a coach, vehicle, coach boat and boats. Even with this level of subsidy there is still a large financial burden on individual families due to travel costs, entry fees and accommodation. There are often compromises made on the amount of days a coach can be hired for and on many occasions it is necessary to opt out of major competitions outside Europe due to cost. Money raised by the Irish Sailing Foundation will go towards increased quality coaching time, world-class equipment, and subsiding entry fees and travel-related costs. It also goes towards broadening the base of talented sailors that can consider campaigning by removing financial hurdles, and the Performance HQ in Dublin to increase efficiency and reduce logistical issues.

The ethos of the Performance Pathway is progression. At each stage international performance benchmarks are utilised to ensure the sailors are meeting expectations set. The size of a sailor will generally dictate which boat they sail. The classes selected on the pathway have been identified as the best feeder classes for progression. Currently the Irish Sailing Performance Pathway consists of the following groups: * Pathway (U15) Optimist and Topper * Youth Academy (U19) Laser 4.7, Laser Radial and 420 * Development Academy (U23) Laser, Laser Radial, 49er, 49erFX * Team IRL (direct-funded athletes) Laser, Laser Radial, 49er, 49erFX

The Irish Sailing performance director produces a detailed annual budget for the programme which is presented to Sport Ireland, Irish Sailing and the Foundation for detailed discussion and analysis of the programme, where each item of expenditure is reviewed and approved. Each year, the performance director drafts a Performance Plan and Budget designed to meet the objectives of Irish Performance Sailing based on an annual review of the Pathway Programmes from Junior to Olympic level. The plan is then presented to the Olympic Steering Group (OSG) where it is independently assessed and the budget is agreed. The OSG closely monitors the delivery of the plan ensuring it meets the agreed strategy, is within budget and in line with operational plans. The performance director communicates on an ongoing basis with the OSG throughout the year, reporting formally on a quarterly basis.

Due to the specialised nature of Performance Sport, Irish Sailing established an expert sub-committee which is referred to as the Olympic Steering Group (OSG). The OSG is chaired by Patrick Coveney and its objective is centred around winning Olympic medals so it oversees the delivery of the Irish Sailing’s Performance plan.

At Junior level (U15) sailors learn not only to be a sailor but also an athlete. They develop the discipline required to keep a training log while undertaking fitness programmes, attending coaching sessions and travelling to competitions. During the winter Regional Squads take place and then in spring the National Squads are selected for Summer Competitions. As sailors move into Youth level (U19) there is an exhaustive selection matrix used when considering a sailor for entry into the Performance Academy. Completion of club training programmes, attendance at the performance seminars, physical suitability and also progress at Junior and Youth competitions are assessed and reviewed. Once invited in to the Performance Academy, sailors are given a six-month trial before a final decision is made on their selection. Sailors in the Academy are very closely monitored and engage in a very well planned out sailing, training and competition programme. There are also defined international benchmarks which these sailors are required to meet by a certain age. Biannual reviews are conducted transparently with the sailors so they know exactly where they are performing well and they are made aware of where they may need to improve before the next review.

©Afloat 2020

Irish Sailing Performance Head Quarters

Irish Sailing's base for the exclusive use of its own teams are located on the grounds of the Commissioners of Irish Lights in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

The Irish Sailing Performance HQ houses the senior Irish sailing teams such as Olympic Silver Medalist Annalise Murphy

The HQ plans were announced in May 2018 and opened in March 2019.

The HQ comprises a number of three converted shipping containers and a floating slipway and pontoon

The HQ aim is to improve both training and educational opportunities for them, thereby creating systematic medal potential.

The Performance HQ is entirely mobile and has space for briefings and athlete education, a gym, gear storage and a boat maintenance area.

The athlete briefing room can then be shipped directly to international competitions such as the Olympics Regatta and provide a base for athletes overseas.