Places to go sailing near Waterford

AviationUK

Hi there I was wondering whether anybody could let me know where there are some safe places for a complete novice to take a Mirror dinghy out on, preferably lakes etc, but harbours if it isn't too risky for me?

I am completly new apart from sailing an optimist on a still lake when I was around 9 years old... 17 years ago!

many thanks!

HeidiHeidi

If you're anything like me (and I sincerely hope you're not, as I am categorically the world's WORST dinghy sailor) - and even if you're not - if you're a complete novice then I'd advise a few lessons first.

A quick google threw up this http://www.whsc.ie/courses/ . I'm sure there are plenty more in the area.

Apart from making sure that if you go out you can get back in again, instructors on courses should be able to advise you on waters locally that are suitable for beginners.

AviationUK

I did sail the optimist for two years, but I'd gladly be taking a refresher course before I seriously took the dinghy out. I just need to find a still shallow lake to test the new (old) boat out for leaks etc before I think about investing money in it.

noby

Dunmore East has an active club with plenty of dinghy courses.

Further west, Dungarvan harbour can be relatively sheltered, and I'm sure the club run course in the summer. There's also a dinghy club on the Blackwater river in Villierstown.

AviationUK

noby wrote: »

Dunmore East has an active club with plenty of dinghy courses.

Further west, Dungarvan harbour can be relatively sheltered, and I'm sure the club run course in the summer. There's also a dinghy club on the Blackwater river in Villierstown.

Just the thing I'm looking for! Thank you very much.

Does anybody else have any other places to add, I'll definately check out Dungarvan Harbour if the weather is good this week.

NLC1072

Questions regarding Waterford area sailing

I went out on the dinghy at dunmore east, brilliant fun! And it turns out on not as bad as I thought I was! Sailed around the bay area and then on to the council beach and back (I know where the rocks are to avoid). Just looked at beach bye laws from WCCC online and turns out that landing on the beach breaches one of them. Is that correct?

Question : does the slipway there always reach the water?

Hifive

I've been landing on Councillors strand for years in sailing dinghys and no one has ever given out to me. Don't get within 200 meters of it in a power boat though, the lifeguards will have a fit! I once dropped someone into the beach off my cruiser in a dinghy with a 4 hp motor and the lifeguard threatened to call the cops! I think he was having a bad day!
The slipway at the strand is not suitable for launching really, but the new one over by the sailing club is brilliant. And no it doesn't dry out at low tide.

NLC1072

Hifive wrote: »

I've been landing on Councillors strand for years in sailing dinghys and no one has ever given out to me. Don't get within 200 meters of it in a power boat though, the lifeguards will have a fit! I once dropped someone into the beach off my cruiser in a dinghy with a 4 hp motor and the lifeguard threatened to call the cops! I think he was having a bad day!
The slipway at the strand is not suitable for launching really, but the new one over by the sailing club is brilliant. And no it doesn't dry out at low tide.

Thank you very much!