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We are hoping to organise a training weekend Saturday 11th July 2020.  The training will comprise of an offshore event leaving Lough Swilly and finishing in Mulroy Bay.  On the day we will start with a debrief at 10am sharp.  We will depart the marina at 10.15am with activities scheduled for 10.30 am sharp start in the vicinity of the start/finish area.  
We will leave the start/finish area at Fahan, leave Spit to port, Swillymore to port, round Fanad head to Mulroy Bay.  On entering Mulroy Bay yachts should finish the training upon crossing a transit between Bar Rocks and Sessiagh Rocks.  This transit line is almost 1/3 nM long.  The participating yachts can proceed south to Fannys Bay where we can anchor.  I will provide a debrief on the days activities and we can discuss the training activities further.
As with all other training events please provide your own face mask and hand sanitiser.  All participants should bring suitable clothing and their own personal floatation device.  As with all offshore training please ensure you have sufficient safety equipment on board.
In keeping with current HSE guidelines we must observe social distancing in so far as is possible.  These guidelines offer advice on activities on board, crews must keep 2m part, move around frequently and try to avoid being downwind of someone.  Where possible crews will form pods and these pods will avoid mixing with other pods for prolonged periods of time.

Training Summary,

Offshore training with possibility of overnight stay, weather dependant.
Training starts 10.00am with debrief.
On water training starts 10.15.
Debrief at Fannys Bay, time will be announced on the day.

All,
We are holding some training sessions Sat at approx 10am.
We are inviting skippers and their crews to assemble at the marina for approx 10am.
We will provide a brief regarding the course layout and fleet(s) arrangements.
Please bring your personal face covering and sanitising gels.

This is a training session on the water so be prepared with safety equipment and suitable clothing.

All,
Just a reminder that, as we are approaching the start of the sailing season, we should have registered for and submitted their VPRS certificates.  If you have last years IRC cert, or at least a very recent cert, you can submit this to VPRS and receive your new cert.  This is a very quick process, most times same day return.  There is one measurement that you will need to complete and that will be the sails.  Most other measurements on the boat will be standard provided you have not modified the design.

Reminder…We are not using the IRC certificates this year.
We will no longer use the club created handicaps from previous years.  The VPRS cert is MANDATORY and failure to provide a cert will result in you not being able to participate in any club organised events.
Please submit your VPRS cert to the sailing secretary as soon as you receive it.

Drop a note to Ruth Kelly ruth@vprs.org and she will send out the details she has on file for your make and model of boat.  Measure your sails and email back.

Regards
Fergal

We intend to run a training session this weekend, subject to Covid restrictions and guidance.  We intend to limit the number of skippers and crew…Anyone looking to participate in an organised and structured event should reply to myself or to the sailing secretary no later than 10am Saturday so we can organise the pre-training briefing.  If you can provide the number and names of crew that you intend to bring it will help for tracing should we need to do so. As we are working within the guidelines as set out with the HSE we cannot use the clubhouse.  We can assemble outside and conduct a briefing before we set out on the water. We must take precautions where necessary, so, if your crew is from a mixed household, i.e. not all living under the one roof then it is advisable to wear some form of face covering when in close proximity of another individual.  If all crew are from the same household then these restrictions are not applicable. Each person must bring their own hand sanitiser for their own protection and any equipment handled must be cleaned after. If possible clean the handrails, standing rigging, handrails, winches etc before hand should God not already have done so, to help help minimise the risks.

Assemble at 11:15am
Brief on the course to be sailed and training prerequisites
Check names and organise crews
Ensure face covering and sanitising solutions are available
Start the session @ 12 Midday to 1pm
Possible debrief after.

All,

The intrepid Transatlantic sailor Garry Crothers conducted an interview with RTE just before he set sail from the Caribbean. He spoke to Marty Morrissey and told of the effort required to get him and his yacht back to Ireland and the much longed for pint in the Squealin’ pig. Some time later, and after Garry had left terra-firma, Marty spoke to Garry on SAT phone and he had a conversation with Marie about the fears for the solo sailor.

Marty was very impressed with Garrys determination to get back onto the water after his accident and admired his courage to embark on such an adventure. Wishing Garry a safe trip he would keep his radio audience informed of Garrys progress and ultimate arrival back home.

You can listen to the whole interview within the Marty Morrissey show at the following location in the RTE archives, https://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/html5/#/radio1/11199578 the interview with Garry starts about 24′ 49″  and ends at 47′ 50″.

We are sending our best wishes and good luck to Garry on his wee jaunt..