Sailing Season
Killaloe Sailing Club operates a Calendar of Events – including social, training and sailing activities from February through until the end of November annually.
The Sailing Season operates from the start of April, continuing until approximately the end of October each year.
Classes of Boats
All dinghy boats are welcome, as the club offers an ‘Open Class’ category, so long as the boat is monohull with lifting centerboard. Historically, the club has enjoyed a very active ‘Fireball’ category, and this continues to be the case. Other dinghies represented in the club include RS Visions, RS 200s, RS 400s, RS Fevas, Mirrors, GP14s, Enterprises and Lasers.
Club Racing
One of the club’s main focuses is dinghy racing. This takes place every Tuesday evening, with briefing generally around 6.00pm. A Racing Calendar of Events takes place throughout the year. Racing is competitive but sailors of all abilities are warmly welcome and actively encouraged to join in. All classes are handicapped, so participation is open to all.
If you are new to dinghy racing, please speak to any club officer or more experienced club member and they will be pleased to show you the ropes.
Beginner & Leisure Sailing
Thursday evenings, generally from 6.00pm, are for leisure sailing, and offer the opportunity for new sailors to fine-tune their basic skills, and also offer junior members the chance to enjoy a sail in a fun, safe environment, whilst being fully supervised. Even some of the non-sailors, parents and siblings alike, often get a great thrill out of getting a spin in the safety boat!
Junior Sailing
Sunday morning sailing for Juniors takes place May through until the end of September annually, from 10.00am to 1.00pm approximately.
Safety and Fun are the two goals for the Juniors Sailing. This is a family sailing club, with the goal of ensuringall young members get out on the water and have fun. There is also informal coaching available from the more experienced older teenagers and from club members.
To safely run each morning session, volunteers are needed each week, so parents are invited to get involved, whether it in on land or on water each week. We also encourage all parents to upskillthrough one of our safety/ power boat courses which we co-ordinate with the University of Limerick Activity Centre. (See Training section). A rota is planned for the year, based around these volunteers.
Taster Evenings
The first Thursday evening of each month May, June and July are ‘Taster Evenings’, whereby anyone can come along to the club to see what it is all about. One of our committee or club members is on hand between 5.30pm to 7.30pm each evening to offer information, and/or, offer anyone interested, a ‘taste of sailing’ by taking them out for a spin in a boat, weather permitting. This is a great way to get a feel for the sport and the club.
Social Sailing
A number of fun sailing events are held throughout the year including a return Lake Trip to Castlelough with a picnic. A Coastal Yacht Cruise is also annually planned into the Calendar.
Dates for these events are on the Calendar of Events.
Annual Regatta
This is one of the highlights of our sailing programme and comprises racing and social events for all club members and is also open to visitors – novice, experienced, juniors, non-sailors alike. It is a great family, social day, with lots of fun activities, barbecue and prizes. It generally takes place during August.
Other Sailing Events
The club regularly hosts open events for visiting dinghies such as Fireballs and RSs. Visitors travel to participate at Killaloe Sailing Club, and we invite club members to help with the organisation.
Sailing at Other Times
Safety cover is only provided during organised club events. The Committee encourage all members’ sailing activity to take place only while safety cover is in situ.
Members are free to use their own boats at other times but should be aware that club facilities, including safety cover, will not be available. Responsibility for safety lies with the individuals involved who should ensure that wind conditions are favourable for their skill levels.
Boat Parking Sites
We have limited space available for storing boats at the club. Spaces are allocated at the beginning of the year to those members who are fully paid up for membership for that year. A form should be completed by all members requesting boat storage and forwarded to the relevant committee member along with their membership form. A waiting list operates if the club compound is full.
Use of Club Boats
As a result of Leader Funding received in 2012, Killaloe Sailing Club purchased a number of dinghies, in order to make them available to club members for training and sailing purposes.
The sailing club owns 3 RS Visions, a GP14 and a Laser 1. These are available for members to hire during sailing sessions with safety boat cover. You will be asked to demonstrate a basic level of ability and apply to the relevant committee member to book a place on one of these boats in advance.