Major award for Sam
Wicklow’s Hennessy scoops national sailing gong
WICKLOW SAILING CLUB’S Sam Hennessy was named Senior Instructor of the Year on Sunday night as part of the 2019 Irish Sailing Awards, bringing to an end an exceptional first year in the position.
Sam (19) fought off stiff competition from around the country for the prize, fending off fellow nominees Evan Jones (Killaloe Sailing Club) and Ruairi Brown (Glandore Sailing Club).
Reflecting on the award, Hennessy said that he was honoured to have even been nominated, let alone to be picked as the winner.
‘It is nice to win. It is always nice to be nominated, and even nicer to win in my first year in the job. Like most clubs, when you get to around 15/16, the older lads get pushed towards the teaching side of things, which I really enjoyed.
‘I still sail in Wicklow, and it was a natural progression into instructing. It is lovely to spend time on the water. You are outside all of the time; teaching and working with your friends.’
The sailing starlet, who studies mechanical engineering at Cork Institute of Technology, joined the club at the age of seven, citing the involvement of his parents as reasoning. He became a junior trainee when he was in his mid-teens and went on to step into the role of senior instructor in 2019.
As part of his current position, Sam instructed on the first ever adventure course run by the club, including an overnight beach camping trip, with the 19-year-old being widely praised for his ability in the role.
‘Sam has excellent sailing skills and a vast knowledge of all things sailing. He is also a qualified power boat instructor and he successfully ran a number of courses for us last year,’ said a club spokesperson.
‘His amazing aptitude for organization and his wonderful communication skills with instructors, trainees and parents shone through, making last year a very successful year for Wicklow Sailing Club.
‘We are extremely proud of Sam and he thoroughly deserved to win.’
There was another success for Co. Wicklow at the annual awards. Bray Sailing Club picked up the sustainability award was along with the National Sailing Club in Dun Laoghaire for their environmental work.