Speed Windsurfing Production World Cup

For the first time, the town of Dungarvan on the southern coast of Ireland is playing host to the fastest men and women in the speed windsurfing scene. From November 29th till December 6th all the big names of the sport will compete for points counting towards the 2008 Speed World Cup and the one-off Production World Cup Title. For more information and full details on this event, click here.

Irish Powerboating Takes Off...

Powerboating is now very much a growing sport in Ireland. In fact, in February 2008, the ISA employed Mr. Denis Dillon, a new Motorboat Development Officer with the organisation. Based in Killaloe, Denis is known to the boating community around the inland waterways and in the West of Ireland. With a long history of involvement in powerboat and motorboat training as both an ISA instructor and a keen boater in his own right, Denis’s remit is to promote all forms of Motorboating activity. Since February a lot of activity has taken place from the launch of the first Irish Jet Ski Club, to the ISA Yachtsman Euromarine RIB Championship.

See more on the ISA website at http://www.sailing.ie/motorboat.

Published by DMGSailsports.

VHF Radio Licence

Next Date: Sept 11+14. 1 evening and 1 full day: Thurs 7.30pm-10pm and Sun 9am to 4.30pm; Written Exam: 4.30-5.30pm; Oral Exam: 15mins per candidate (expect to be fully complete by 7pm). Cost: €280pp. Location: The Grand Hotel, Malahide.

Before you apply for a Ships Radio Licence (this applies to all vessels, irrespective of size) you should possess the necessary qualification. In the case of craft fitted with VHF only, the qualification is the Radio Operators Short Range Certificate Module 1. For vessels fitted with VHF DSC, (digital selective calling), the qualification required is the Radio Operators Short Range Certificate (SRC) Module 2 or full SRC. If you use a hand held VHF the boat must have a ship station licence also. Before attempting the examination you should attend a course provided by a recognised course provider. Possession of a radio operator’s certificate will enable you to use the correct radio procedure should you be encounter difficulty whilst afloat. MORE IMPORTANTLY!! You will be capable of assisting a nearby vessel or person and possibly save a life or lives!! The ability to use maritime VHF correctly can be a great confidence booster should the unforeseen occur. More information from ISA...

Sporting Summer Sale!

During the month of August, where two or more people sign up for a sailing, powerboating or windsurfing course mid-week, Tuesday to Friday, you'll receive a 20% discount off the course fee!

Please note, this offer is not applicable to lessons or courses run at the weekends, shorebased, VHF or kids courses. Course details available on http://www.dmgsailsports.com/.

Kids on the Water!

Following on from the success of our junior windsurfing course in June, and the Malahide Yacht Club junior sailing courses throughout July, we're running more courses open to the general public in August.
From August 11th to 15th, a junior dinghy sailing course [full details here...] will be open to 9-16 year olds, or a windsurfing course [full details here...] will be open to 12-16 year olds.

Why Windsurf?

Windsurfing can be one of the most effective exercises you can do. In fact, converts claim it is so enjoyable you don't even realise that it's giving you a total body workout. The body benefits: Windsurfing targets shoulders, forearms and the lower back. The fitness benefits: As a beginner, you'll probably spend most of your time learning how to stand on the board of the windsurf. This involves using your leg muscles to balance on the board while employing your shoulders, forearms and lower back to control the force of the sail. Learning to balance on the windsurf also means you are employing 'core stability' - where you engage your deep postural muscles - the muscles that wrap around your pelvis like a natural girdle. This action can help strengthen the muscles that give you the definition of a waist. The other benefits: Travelling up to 20 miles per hour on your windsurf is so exhilarating you hardly know you're exercising. How many calories can you burn? Expert windsurfers can burn up to 1000 calories per hour, but recreational windsurfers probably burn around 500 calories an hour. (Information from http://www.iconocast.com/).

Waterstarts, fast tacks, gybes and more...

This weekend, July 19th & 20th, we have just 2 places left on the windsurfing 'Go4It!' 2 day course. Lessons are from 10am to 4pm each day and cost just €240pp using DMG Sailsports equipment, or €200pp using your own equipment. During this intense 2 day course the instructor, Dave Garvey, will help you to perfect your sailing techniques, improve your rigging in order to get the best from the equipment being used, and introduce you to the next skills suitable to your level. Groups are small in order to provide an intimate learning environment. Just bring along a packed lunch and plenty of fluids to keep hydrated. According to Windguru, its shaping up to be a perfect weekend for this level so be quick to get the remaining places!

Try Sailing This Summer!

Throughout the summer our keelboat courses will allow you to learn a new skill whilst exploring the scenic waters off Malahide, Co. Dublin. Take in Howth, Ireland's Eye, and Lambay Island as you learn to helm our sporty Backman 21 Keelboat. Courses range from a half-day taster session all the way up to a 5-day course following which you should be competent to take control of the boat yourself. More on our sailing page.

Go Windsurfing!

DMG Sailsports windsurfing facility is now open 6 days a week for lessons and hire. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 13.30 to 21.00 - morning lessons are available by arrangement; Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00. We offer lessons for all levels from complete beginners, to advanced skills such as waterstarts, footstraps and gybes. Pre-booking is arranged through our office at 01-8456946 or info@dmgsailsports.com.
Most of our equipment is new this year. The boards are Fanatic Vipers & Sharks, ranging between 220ltrs and 130ltrs volume. The sails are Loft and range in sizes from 7.4m to 3.5m all rigged on NeilPryde X3 masts and booms.
For more visit our website at http://www.dmgsailsports.com/ or call 01-8456946.

Powerboat Instructor Course

Thinking of becoming a Powerboat Instructor? An ISA 5-day training course is now scheduled for Monday June 9th to Friday June 13th. A pre-entry to assess powerboating capabilities of possible course participants is scheduled for Monday June 2nd. The course and pre-entry will be run at The Marina Centre, Malahide, Co. Dublin. Cost is €550pp for the instructor course. A small additional cost will be charged for the pre-entry assessment. Details on our website at http://www.dmgsailsports.com/in_pboat.htm.

Junior Windsurfing Course

DMG Sailsports will run a windsurfing course aimed at 12-16 year olds this summer. The course will run over 5 half-days, Monday to Friday, June 16th - 20th. Participants may take part in the morning, 10am to 1pm, OR the afternoon, 2pm to 5pm. Cost is €150pp. Location: Malahide Yacht Club facility on Broadmeadows Estuary, Malahide, Co. Dublin.

To book on this course, please contact DMG Sailsports at 01-8456946 or info@dmgsailsports.com.

Windsurfing Heaven!

The last few days have seen perfect conditions for everyone at this years' Fleadh Sheoil! Saturday gave us lots of wind and sunshine, to keep the slalom sailors and 'free-riders' happy. Today saw slightly lighter winds. Perfect for beginners and improvers. It also gave some old school freestylers a chance to dazzle the young guns!

Fleadh Sheoil na hÉireann 2008!

At Malahide Yacht Club, Broadmeadows Estuary, from May 3rd to 5th 2008, the Fleadh Sheoil na hÉireann (Windsurfing Festival of Ireland) is being held. Organised by DMG Sailsports and Surfdock, this years event is shaping up to be one of the best yet. Come along and support this Irish Windsurfing Association event. Just one of many run throughout the year. All levels from total beginners, to the advanced and experienced sailor are welcome!

2008 Boat Show in Malahide

The Irish Marine Federation/Lombard "On the Water Boat Show" was held in Malahide Marina April 24th to 27th.

Thank you to everyone who dropped by to say hi, and congratulations to anyone who bought themselves a new boat! During the boat show we donated 10% of all courses completed or booked to Temple Street Childrens Hospital. Thank you to everyone who made a cash donation or booked a course at this time.

We hope to see you around the marina this summer. Drop by to discuss your training needs at any time. Enjoy the elements! Córa & Dave Garvey. http://www.dmgsailsports.com/.

DMG New Office!

Drop by and visit us in our new office in Malahide Marina. Our office is now downstairs in the main marina building.

Enjoy the Elements,

Dave & Córa Garvey

Dave travels to Bahamas to provide Safety Advice

Granada Media Group Ltd "Package Holidays Under Cover 2005" commissioned DMG Sailsports as an Interviewee / Contributor / Watersports Expert, to travel to the Bahamas to provide professional opinion as to the safety, or otherwise, on the watersports operations on Bahamas beach front following the aftermath of accidents and deaths in the area.

Windsurf Across the Irish Sea for 'Aware'

On June 29th 2006, Dave windsurfed from Dollymount in Dublin to Wales. This journey took him 6 hours and 17 minutes. Fantastically, our sponsors and customers helped to raise over €6,000 for Aware (www.aware.ie), so thank YOU all for your continued help and support. The money raised will go directly towards maintaining and developing Aware services which include: LoCall Helpline; a network of over 60 support groups nationwide; the "Beat the Blues" schools education programme; public lecture series; literature and research into the causes and treatment of depressive illness.
Our Sponsors: We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their help and support in getting this challenge up and running including our individual contributors, Surfdock and 604 Distribution. Please note, any donations over €250 qualify for tax relief so please let us know if you would like to make a corporate or large personal donation. Our corporate donators are listed below. If you are interested in adding your company to this list, please contact Dermot / Louise in Aware on 01-6617211 or make a donation online at http://www.aware.ie/donations/donations.asp.
Sponsor List: AOL Technologies Ireland; The Grand Hotel Malahide; Shamrock Communications; CarrickCraft; EirGrid.