Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Health and Recreation Department
Sailing – Let The Wind Carry You
Love an adventure in the fresh air, then small boat sailing could be for you. You can take your family, go with friends or escape by yourself, leaving the stress of daily life behind on the shore.
The health benefits of sailing include muscle strengthening and endurance, cardio fitness will improve through working heart and lungs, mental wellbeing will increase as you socialise with fellow sailors and your agility will improve as you move around the boat. Communication is key when sailing, as the helm and the crew need to know what’s going on both inside and outside of the boat.
SAILING CLUB INFORMATION
At South Lake Watersports, Craigavon you can choose from complete beginner lessons to experienced sailing courses. A sheltered harbour ensures a safe area to learn, with a larger outer lake to improve and practice.
What is the sailing course syllabus?
Basic rigging of the boat spars, sail controls and foils.
Sailing techniques e.g. sailing upwind / downwind.
Parts of a boat, sailing and sail control.
Reaching, tacking, gybing.
Capsize recovery
Basic rope work knots.
RYA Level 1 certificate can be gained
What boats are used?
Laser Stratos, Laser 2000, Laser Pico, Laser RS Feva
Who are these courses for?
Sailing courses are suitable for competent swimmers aged 10 years and over
What do I bring?
- towel/toiletries
- swimsuit/shorts
- Shoes that can get wet
- Sun Screen
- Sun hat or warm hat (weather depending)
- Snacks/ lunch and a drink.
How much does the sailing course cost?
Level 1 Part 1 = £31.00
Level 1 Part 2 = £31.00
Our course is designed for beginners who want to take up or try windsurfing. We teach you on the latest wide-style boards with lightweight sails to ensure a swift progression in skills and fun.
A sheltered harbour ensures a safe area to learn, with a larger outer lake to improve and practice. Once competent, you are able to come and hire from us in the future. Courses are available as individual lessons and participants can progress on to RYA courses.
What is the windsurfing course syllabus?
Balance on a board
Set up equipment and how to use it
Windsurf in a straight line.
Steer the board.
Turn around [upwind and downwind]
Sail back to where you started
What boats are used?
Laser Stratos, Laser 2000, Laser Pico, Laser RS Feva
Who are these courses for?
Sailing courses are suitable for 10 years and over
PRIVATE LESSONS
Private lessons are ideal if you can’t make Sunday mornings. You progress quickly under the watchful eye of a fully qualified instructor. There is one-to-one tuition or tuition for small groups.
The sessions can be booked anytime within the opening hours of the Centre and can be booked by contacting the Centre.
PRICES
Sailing 1-8 people [2 hours minimum] £113.00 | Extra hour £57.00
All equipment is provided. Delivered by RYA Instructors.
For booking details contact the centre here
GROUP LESSONS
We can offer your school or youth group the opportunity to achieve a range of qualifications or awards for sailing.
RYA Level 1
G.C.S.E physical education
Duke of Edinburgh awards
Multi-activity team building day.
For booking details, please contact the Centre.
The club offers members the opportunity to get out onto the water to practice their sailing and windsurfing skills under the supervision of one of the Centre’s qualified RYA sailing instructors and clubs volunteer instructors.
Open to all abilities, we have boats suitable for those with disabilities and all age groups, under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Parents/guardians of young children are asked to assist them getting boats on and off the water.
When does the sailing club meet?
Club sessions run every Sunday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm between beginning of April until the end of October.
However, members are welcome to sail anytime the Centre is open, when boats are available and the safety boat is on the water. Please phone 02838 326606 for availability.
Do I need my own boat, board and equipment?
No, the sailing club uses the Centre’s equipment ie boats, boards, wetsuits, cags and buoyancy aids etc. You will need to bring with you the following: swim suit, old trainers you don’t mind getting wet, towel and toiletries.
Does the club offer members the opportunity to gain RYA qualifications?
At each session you can choose to join in the instructional session, where the instructor will give a briefing on water coaching followed by a debrief and then sign off your RYA log book.
How can I become a member?
Having completed one of the Centre’s Sunday morning courses and learnt the basic skills, the instructor will give you a membership form which you complete, pay your fee and return to the club treasurer.
How much does it cost to become a member?
Membership Fee – £30.00 [standard] | £15.00 [concession] | £50.00 [family]
Price per session – £8.20 [standard] | £.20 [concession]
Non-members are welcome to come and go out on the water but you will have to be capable of rigging your own equipment, launch, sail and return to the shore safely and without assistance.
The Centre staff have the right to stop the session if they feel your skills are not at the appropriate level for the weather conditions.
To support the development of clubs cross NI the RYA will be funding 6 weeks of session fees to new sailing club members. Please contact the watersports Centre for more details and to see if you are eligible.