Sailing club wins training centre title
BRAY GROUP IS EASTERN REGIONAL TRAINING CENTRE OF THE YEAR
Bray Sailing Club was awarded the title of the Eastern Regional Training Centre of the Year for 2017 at the Volvo Irish Sailing Awards ceremony on Friday night.
Presenting the award, Jack Roy, president of the Irish Sailing Association, said the club impressed the judges with ‘ their mission to build a community of family, fun and learning in a safe environment.’
In the last year, Bray Sailing Club focused on increasing training participation for all levels, accessibility and the safety of younger sailors.
It had a record number of sailors taking part in all activities, expanded their Pico Club for junior sailors, and held two Try Sailing courses for Lakers, a local sport and recreation club for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities.
The courses meant that 14 participants all sailed for the first time and each received a Taste of Sailing certificate, including the first ever Irish Sailing Braille Certificate.
‘ The dedication of the senior instructor and volunteers has resulted in a strong and active junior section which in turn has led to new full family members and has hugely increased participation in our sports in their region,’ said Mr Roy.
Commodore of Bray Sailing Club Declan Lavelle said that the award marks the culmination of six years of hard work since the club decided to make sailing a sport for all social classes, ages and abilities.
‘ Through the generosity of our members and a range of grants, we have purchased boats and equipment so that access to sail training is within the reach of everyone,’ he said.
‘We are looking forward to growing our involvement in the local community and, in particular, our work with Lakers.’
Declan went on to pay particular tribute to the winning team of senior instructor Jack Hannon and his team of instructors and volunteers who work so hard in often difficult conditions, including the unprotected nature of the harbour, to provide safe, fun filled training in a very professional way.
Declan said that the instructors’ work has been made more difficult over the past number of years by the build-up of sand around slipways, etc, making access to the water more difficult.
Bray Sailing Club has over 300 members ranging in age from eight to their late 80s.
The club offers training courses for adults and juniors in both cruisers and dinghies, as well as powerboat and VHF radio tuition.
Details of the club’s courses and events may be found at www.braysailingclub.ie.