Instructors and students at the recent course. Front: Sean Macken, Ciara Hackett, Marion Matthews, Christopher Molloy, Marc Doyle, Enda Cahill, Sean Armstrong. Back: John Zumerchik, Jack Hayes, Robert Kelly, Dervila Armstrong, Damien Reilly and Paddy Matthews.

Sailing Club's ‘fantastic’ course big hit with novices

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According to David Coleman, clinical psychologist, sailing is a ‘total break from the real world’ and a great aid to coping with the stresses of everyday life.

The perfect opportunity to try sailing was provided by Mullingar Sailing Club, which ran its adult sailing course over two weekends on June 3-4 and June 10-11. Ten budding sailors took the opportunity to get out on Lough Owel and trial a potential new hobby under the guidance of four qualified sailing instructors: Jack Hayes, Ciara Hackett, John Zumerchik and Sean Macken.

Christopher Molloy, student, and Jack Hayes, instructor, out sailing on Lough Owel.

The weather cooperated, with mostly light winds suitable for novice sailors, along with a few periods with more stiff breezes to challenge them, and with plenty of sunshine. Club members helped out on both Sundays of the course, taking participants out onto the lake for some one-to-one sailing instruction, and the activities finished up with a welcome barbecue for the hungry sailors. According to one participant, it was a “fantastic course, instructors and club".

"So much was packed into two weekends. I am looking forward to continuing on.”

For younger sailors, junior sailing courses at the club for ages 11 plus began on Monday July 3. Cara na Mara, for very young sailors from ages 6 to 10, will run for one week from July 24. Full details are available on the Mullingar Sailing Club website.

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