Last updated: May 2026

HYC Committee	Karena Knaggs – Junior Organiser | Gary Cullen – Vice Commodore | Peter Barron | Emma McDonald
Sailing Development Officer	Matthew Cotter
Senior Instructor	Aoibhín Farrelly
Office Supervisor	Karen Soye
Program Email	Sailing@hyc.ie
Sailing Office	083 881 9083

New Family Quick Start

Welcome! HYC has a junior sailing program for sailors ages 6–17 (grouped by ability – the courses are based on the Irish Sailing syllabus, along with our own HYC clinics). All course participants are required to be Howth Yacht Club members – you can sign yourself or your sailor up here.

Start here

• Gear up: label everything, build a daily packing checklist, and plan for sun protection, hydration, and a dry change of clothes.
• Save key dates (boat drop-off, commissioning, regattas, banquet) and consider volunteering – it’s one of the fastest ways to learn how junior sailing works.

First-week “know before you go”

• HYC Junior Courses are a curriculum-based program not a day camp. Our goal is to create lifelong sailors and confident kids in and around the water.
• Wind and weather drive the plan. Some days involve less sailing and more shore-based learning – that’s normal.
• Many families pack lunch and extra snacks, but you can avail of the HYC Kitchen on Tuesdays – Fridays, make payments by topping up your juniors card via the member app, or via the office team. If you have any queries, contact the office team – office@hyc.ie  
• Gear disappears. Label everything and make sure you do not leave belongings behind in the changing room.
• Plan for drop-off/pick-up procedures and use staff/liaisons for questions rather than entering junior areas. To prepare your child:
  • Review these FAQs together
  • Practice putting on/tightening the life jacket correctly
  • Talk through expectations: listening, teamwork, trying new things, staying with group
  • Do a gear dry run: shoes, hat, water bottle, sunscreen, towel, change of clothes
  • If your child gets anxious: agree on a simple plan and let the staff know
• Leave at home: To prevent the loss (or sinking) of valuables, sailors are asked not to bring electronics, money and other items that can’t get wet, could be lost, or could be distracting to your sailors or others in the program. If it isn’t needed for sailing, it is highly recommended that these items are left at home.
  • HYC and the sailing program staff are not responsible for any valuables or devices that are lost, damaged, sunk, stolen or misplaced.

What to bring/know every day

To bring:

• Membership Cards
  • Our club is cashless, so these should be topped up with credit prior to your courses starting (if using facilities at the Club).
• Water bottle (large) + snack for on the water.
• Sun protection: sunscreen (apply before arrival; send for reapplication), caps.
• Closed-toe shoes that can get wet; a dry pair for after sailing
• A change of clothes and towel..

 

• Remind your sailor that mobile phones, smart watches and other media devices must be stored in their locker and that the staff can’t keep track of or be responsible for lost or damaged devices.
• Eat breakfast (sailing hungry is hard) and arrive early enough for check-in and rigging.

FAQ

This FAQ is designed to reduce surprises and make it easy to plan your summer. If you don’t see your question here, contact the HYC sailing team.

Daily Supervision, Lunch, and Transitions

Q: What time should we arrive/finish?

A: For full day courses and morning courses, arrive at 09:30. For sailors only doing afternoon courses you should arrive at 13:30. We advise arriving 5-10 minutes early for check-in. Late arrivals cause disruptions to the programing.

For collection, the morning only courses finish at 12:30, the full day courses and afternoon courses finish at 16:30.  

Q: Where do we drop off and pick up?

A: Drop-off/pick-up is through the Marina gate at the HYC courtyard by the benches.

Q: Who is allowed to pick up my child?

A: Only approved adults listed in the sailor’s registration profile.

Q: What is the check-in/check-out process?

A: Please drop your child to the HYC courtyard and they can check themselves in –Our instructors will help your sailor gather their things and send them out to you at pick up. This builds independence and responsibility.

Q: Who supervises younger sailors during lunch and transitions?

A: All sailors are supervised by instructors during lunch, scheduled breaks, and transitions between activities. If your sailor has permission to leave HYC to go to the shops, they are allocated 20 mins to leave and return to the club via a sign out/in sheet managed by the instructors.

Q: Should we pack lunch?

A: Many families do. The club kitchen is open Tuesday to Friday so junior sailors can order off the club menu for lunches, but please note that our kitchen is closed on Mondays.

Sailing and Weather

Q: Will my sailor sail every day?

A: Sailing may not occur every day, and the decision to stay on land is made by the Senior Instructor and instructors based on weather conditions and other factors. Learning and fun happens every day, but sailing might not!

Q: What if it’s cold, windy, or raining?

A: Sailors will sail in rain and cooler temperatures if safe and if they are dressed appropriately. Dress in layers and avoid cotton. Long sleeved tech shirts, wetsuits, spray tops, and warm hats can make a big difference.

Safety, Behavior and Staff

HYC staff are highly experienced sailors who hold certifications in First Aid training, National Powerboat License, along with Irish Sailing Instructor Qualifications.

Q: Does my child need to know how to swim?

A: No, but it is highly recommended. We don’t require sailors to know how to swim, but we do encourage swimming as an important skill. Sailors must always wear their life jackets on the marina, on the boats, and near the water.

Q: What if my child is nervous about capsizing?

A: That’s normal. Coaches teach capsize prevention and recovery progressively. Beginners focus on comfort and confidence first. No one is pressured beyond what is safe and appropriate. Often capsizing goes from being something scary and new to something fun in a matter of days.

Q: What’s the HYC phone policy?

A: Consider keeping mobile phones and other devices at home and let your sailor “unplug.” Phones, smart watches and other media devices are required to be secured in lockers for the duration of the day. Sailors can always coordinate through the HYC Office if a parent or guardian needs to be reached (and you can contact your sailor through the day-of contact method shared at the start of the program season or by emailing the Sailing Team: Sailing@hyc.ie

Q: Who should I contact for a safety or medical concern?

A: Contact the Sailing Office immediately Sailing@hyc.ie

Q: What sailor behavior is expected?

A: Sailing requires teamwork and listening. HYC expects sailors to follow the HYC Code of Conduct and we ask all sailors and families to model respectful behavior and familiarize themselves with the HYC Guidelines for Supporting Ethical Behavior: Link Junior Code of conduct here.

Boats and Gear

Q: Do we need our own boat?

A: For Cara Na Mara, Teen Keelboat and Kites & Wires courses, HYC provides use of our club boats. For all other courses families are asked to bring their own boat. There is an active secondary market locally and charter (rental) boats are available for the beginner levels, however they are limited in number. If you need to charter, please contact the sailing team – sailing@hyc.ie

Q: Is there a lost and found?

A: Yes – items are stored in the lost and found bin which can be found outside the sailing Items in the lost and found will be donated/disposed of at the conclusion of the summer season.

Volunteering

HYC is community-powered. Volunteers are always needed for HYC-hosted regattas and special events.

• Volunteer roles: class liaisons, regatta hosting, travel regatta logistics, social events, race committee, and housing guest instructors.

Daily Gear Checklist

Tip: Label everything. Pack for sunny conditions every day – hydration is a must. If your sailor has consecutive activities, pack extra dry clothing and snacks.

Bring every day

Item	Notes
PFD (Buoyancy Aid)	Required on docks and boats; ensure proper fit.
Closed-toe water shoes / sneakers that can get wet	No flip-flops.
Wetsuit + quick-dry top (rashguard recommended)	Avoid cotton.
Sailing gloves (optional)	Helpful for mainsheet burn.
Spray top / windbreaker	For windy or rainy days.
Warm layer for after sailing	Fleece/hoodie for the ride home.
Hat	Secure in wind.
Sunglasses + strap (Strongly Recommended on sunny days)	Polarized recommended.
Sunscreen (applied before arrival)	We have suncream on site for reapplying in the afternoon
Refillable water bottle (large)	Hydration is key.
Towel	Never hurts to have an extra – but bring them home so they don’t get moldy!
Snack and/or lunch	Bring easily accessible snacks.
Small dry bag / waterproof tote	Helps keep wet gear contained.

Still looking for answers? Contact sailing@hyc.ie