Powerboat, VHF & Navigation

With the glorious weather we're having at the moment it's time to dust down the boating gear and get out on the water for the new season.

We have our National Powerboat Certificate courses running most weekends, and an Advanced Powerboat Certificate course scheduled for the weekend of April 16th - 17th. We are also running a powerboat instructor course over two weekends on April 23rd - 24th and Apr 29th - May 1st so if you've ever thought about passing on your skills to others now's the time.

If you are looking to beef up your background knowledge and get the confidence to take your boat further we are running a Coastal Navigation for Small Boats course on April 9th & 13th. We also have a VHF radio course available on Apr 14th & 16th. This is the Irish SRC module 1 & 2 Licence.

For more info or bookings on any of the above just contact us in the office on 01-8456946 or info@dmgsailsports.com

National Powerboat Certificate, €50 off!

To help you get a head start on things this spring we are offering €50 off all National Powerboat Certificate course taken up to and including the weekend of March 19th - 20th.

The NPC course provides comprehensive training in all the fundamentals of boating, covering boat-handling, safety, rules & regulations and basic navigation. This course is highly recommended for anyone taking charge of a boat and will provide reassurance when taking family and friends out boating.

The NPC will also often entitle you to discounts from your insurance provider and entitles you to apply for an International Certificate of Competency (ICC). This is the certification required to rent or operate powerboats in countries with compulsory competency certification, Spain, France, Portugal, Croatia, etc.

To book your course of for more info call 01-8456946 or email info@dmgsailsports.com

Windsurf Equipment Now On Sale!

Click here to view the full list of our 2010 school and rental windsurfing equipment. Some great deals available so get in touch ASAP to reserve the kit you want!
All available to collect from Sunday October 18th at 5pm. Delivery can also be arranged.
Phone the office at 01-8456946 or email info@dmgsailsports.com.

Go 4 It Windsurfing Course

This weekend is the second last of our windsurfing season and with a good forecast I've decided to run one of our Go 4 It courses.

The course focuses on improver techniques like stronger wind stance and harness work, planning, footstraps and deeper water beach starts.

To get the most from this course you should ideally be comfortably sailing in all directions in lighter winds have used the harness and be able to do a basic beach start.

The course runs 10 - 5 on both days, so you better start saving up your energy! Places are limited to 6 so book soon to avoid disappointment. The course costs €200pp using our kit or €150pp using your own kit, a discount of 10% is available if you have already done lessons with us.

Cal 01-8456946 or email info@dmgsailsports.com

Successful Kayak Trip

Yesterdays Kayak trip accross the Irish sea went well. I left the marina in Malahide at 04:10 and met up with the guys in Hollyhead at 06:30. Fergus Cooper was paddling a single with Aisa Cooper and Martin Hearns in a double kayak. We were under way just before 07:00 with the guys making good progress out past the head to beat the tide.

Unfortunately about 5hrs into the trip the rudder bar on the double boat broke, with no way to repair it at sea Aisa and Martin had no option but to retire into the boat with me and take their kayak in tow. Dissapointed but pragmatic Martin said "at least it didn't happen 5 miles from the finish or I would have been really hacked off"

From there on the trip went smoothly with Fergus steadily ticking off the miles. The weather was a little over cast but other wise fair. Hollyhead and Dublin Coastguards provided great assistance tracking our progress and advising the commercial traffic of our position so we didn't get run over (which was nice!).

Shortly after 21:00 Fergus entered Dun Laoghaire harbour completely exhausted but ecstatic about the achievement having paddled for a little over 14hrs straight.

After we unloaded the kit it was a quick spin back around to Malahide with the boat tied up a little after 22:00 and off home for pizza and beer, another day at the office eh!

Kayak across the Irish Sea

As I type Dave is providing safety cover to two kayakers paddling across the Irish sea from Wales to Dublin. It's a beautiful day so I hope they're having a peaceful and enjoyable crossing! Dave drove over to Holyhead at 4am today to meet with them and they left there at 8am with an approximate ETA of 6pm this evening.

Having windsurfed across the Irish sea for Aware a few years ago, Dave was delighted to take part in this challenge.

(Image from www.worldatlas.com)

Wheels of Destiny Cross the Finish Line!

Well, what can I say? Personally I think this is the most amazing challenge that I've ever heard of -- endurance cycling! I'm so impressed and thrilled for John & Murt who completed the Race Around Ireland from last Sunday night until 2am this morning, Friday. The guys completed the course (all 2100km) in a time of 102 hours and 1 minute, and are, according to the Race Around Ireland site, the only team/riders to have completed the race so far and are therefore currently ranked first.

John & Murt - HUGE kudos to you both. And to have done it for AWARE is a very special thing to do. Congratulations and see you for a pint soon!

If you haven't already done so, please donate online for these guys at http://sponsorme.aware.ie/event/race-around-ireland-september-12th/wheelsofdestiny/.

Córa, DMG Sailsports