Despite the near gale-force winds on the day, lots of people of all ages got a chance to try out their sailing skills with the club’s free taster sessions on May 4th. Aengus and some of the club’s keen young sailors were on hand to show future sailors the ropes and give them a taste of the fun to be had, even in challenging conditions. Taster sessions will be offered again at later dates during June and July.

The Club Open Sails are continuing throughout May on Sunday mornings, and it is hoped that that Thursday evening sails will start up again from the end of the month. Web texts will be sent out to club members and keep an eye out for updates here on the site.

Rota for Sunday sails
12th May Rick
19th May Damien – Sail to Ramelton 9am
26th May Joan
2nd June Pauline
9th June Karena

Other events to pencil into your diary include the annual Blessing of the Boats, which will be held at Rathmullan Pier on June 7th at 8pm. The club is intending to have boats out on the water by 7pm and all are welcome to sail on the night.
The annual club midsummer’s barbeque will be held on Friday June 21st. Further details will be sent out closer to the time.
So, it’s time to ignore the cool windy May weather and get out sailing!

Rathmullan’s sailing and watersports school is providing free sailing taster sessions on Saturday 4th May from 2 – 5pm.
Everyone welcome! Non club members can have a go in a sailing dinghy with an experienced sailor for free! All you need is swimming gear and a towel. Wetsuits and all equipment will be provided.
Club members who may know anyone who would be interested bring them along tomorrow.
We are also looking for club volunteers to help out on the day. Please contact Aengus if you are available to assist.

Last weekend saw the first of the 2013 Sunday Open Sails take place after a long winter break. Despite freshening winds the Picos, Bahias and Lasers took to the water under the watchful eye of James Gallagher and Adam Khavia on the safety boat and all the sailors did very well under quite variable conditions. It was good to be back on the water!
So, for all you sailors who want to get out on the water, the Sunday sails start at 10 am and the safety boat rota for the next two weeks is:
28th April: Pauline Gallagher
5th May: Rich LeVert.
A text will be sent out, as usual, to all club members in advance of each sail and you can book your boats then.

As the sailing season finally gets going this weekend, there are several dates in the calendar of interest to club members. There will be an Open Sail on Sunday April 14th at the usual time of 10 a.m. Karena Hanley is the Safety Officer and boats can be booked on 086 3866801. Hopefully, the winds with be steady, and warmer than of late!

The annual Rathmullan beach clean-up is being held this Saturday, April 13th, between 12 and 3pm. The council will also be providing a drop-off point for scrap metal and electrical goods on the day. Club members are encouraged to support this much-needed initiative.

Lough Swilly Yacht Club are holding their opening lunch on Sunday April 14th at 12.30pm in the clubhouse. RWSC members are cordially invited along – the rib will be available to transport club members to the event after the Sunday sail, with the first six turning up to get a passage.

The first race of the season is planned for Saturday April 27th at 1 p.m so it’s time for all you sailors out there to get back into top form ahead of a highly competitive regatta! More details will be sent out near the time.

A national “Sail Spraoi” is being hled in sailing clubs all over the country on the May Bank Holiday weekend and as part of this the sailing school will be holding a free sailing taster for all-comers at 2pm on Saturday May 4th. Any club members who would like to come along and help out or take part are welcome.
And do spread the word to anyone you think might be interested.

Sunday’s biting winds and occasional hail showers did not put off club members, young and old, from coming together for the first time in 2013 to get the boats and compound ready for the new season. The junior members had the best of it with a workshop with Aengus Kennedy, which brushed up their rigging skills, while the adults scrubbed boats, cleared changing areas and generally brightened up the compound. To be fair, junior members did row in and help with the clean-up once the rigging on all boats was properly sorted! There was a chance to admire the two new boats recently acquired by the sailing school, a Laser Vega and a Feva, which greatly enhance the range of boats on offer to club members. Hot chocolate and homemade cakes cheered everyone up at the end and, all in all, it was a very rewarding way to spend Mother’s Day morning!
Club activities will get off to a real start on Bank Holiday Monday with an open sail planned for 10am. Air and water temperatures may be low but members are keen to get back out on the water after the long winter break. Booking is required and Karena Hanley is the safety boat officer on the day.
Other upcoming events include an open sail on Easter Monday and a beach clean on April 13th (tbc) and you can check out all the events planned so far in the calender section.

On March 10th Aengus Kennedy will be holding a workshop for junior members at the compound from 10 am. It’s a great chance for all our younger sailors to refresh their skills before the new season gets going at Easter. Places are limited so please contact Aengus on 086 8123019 to book.

Adult members are being asked to come along on the same day and time to help clean up the compound and the club house. We hope to get boats back on the water at Easter so it will be great to get the compound shipshape before then. We’ll be sending out a web text looking for volunteers! (Junior members have promised to give us a hand with the clean-up when their workshop is over).

Congratulations to our very own Rick Le Vert who has been nominated as ISA volunteer of the year in recognition of his selfless dedication and contribution to sailing in 2012.

Rick is one of four finalists for this prestigious award, which will be presented at the ISA National Awards Ball on March 2^nd 2013. If you would like to be  there on the night to support Rick and hopefully see him receive the award check out details on the ISA website or click on the link below

http://www.sailing.ie/awardsball/en-gb/brochure.aspx

Best of Luck to Rick from all in Rathmullan Sailing and Watersports Club.

The ISA National Conference is back for its seventh year with even more interesting seminars and workshop than ever before. The conference is open to all with an interest in sailing, windsurfing and powerboating and is FREE to all ISA members.

A total of 20 interactive seminars and workshops will run across a range of diverse topics to suit all interests, whether you’re involved in your club at committee level, you work in or run a Training Centre, you are involved in race management or are just a sailor looking to expand your skills and knowledge.

Date: 2nd of March 2013
Venue: Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co, Dublin
Price: Free for all ISA members

For further information click on the following link

http://www.sailing.ie/conference/en-gb/home.aspx

To register online click on the following link

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ISAConference

RSWC members all invited and welcome to a ‘Try a Dive’ evening @ 8pm in the Clanree Leisure Centre on this coming Saturday November 23rd, courtesy of Sheephaven Divers. A fantastic opportunity to experience scuba diving in a safe environment – all you need is swimming gear and a t-shirt!

For further information contact Club Training Officers Anne Boyle 087 76997679 or Ryan Ward 086 8694021

November 25th James – 086 2288181

December 2nd Pauline – 086 03396095

December 9th Damian – 086 08033344

December 16th Rick – 086 3863455

December 23rd – No Sail

January 1st Frostbite Sail – Karena 086 3866801

Derry Sailing Adventure! Something you may be interested in..

Sailing Adventure – 18 years and over – £99 – 3 days

Clipper Legacy – your chance to sail on board an ocean going racing yacht!

Three days ex Londonderry!

Sail from Derry down the River Foyle and out into the Atlantic on a sailing adventure!

More detail – http://www.loughs-agency.org/news/clipper-legacy/

… or chat to Andy

Sailing Adventure – 18 years and over – £99 – 3 days

Andy Sides      tele 028 7134 2100 [ ROI 048 7134 2100 ] mobile 077 2567 2151   int + 44 77 2567 2151

Development Officer, Loughs Agency www.loughs-agency.org

Sunday 21 October – Pauline – 086 3390695

Sunday 28 October – Damian – 086 8033344

Sunday 4November – James – 086 2288181

Sunday 11 November – Karena – 086 3866801

Sunday 18 November – Damian – 086 8033344

Sunday 25 November – Dudic – 087 6742959

We would ask all club members to give at least a days notice, where possible, if they wish to cancel a booked boat for club sails. This enables RIB operator to re-assign boats to other club members who may wish to sail. Thanks.

Yes it’s that time of year again and the Christmas party season is fast approaching so we are inviting all our club members to come along and celebrate a great year sailing on Rathmullan’s waters. We are planning a fun filled night on Saturday 1st December at the Ferrygate Restaurant, Rathmullan.

The Ferry Gate Restaurant and Wine Bar was recently reopened by local business men Cormac Walsh and Ronnie Blake. Both men are no strangers to hospitality with Cormac’s background in hotel management and Ronnie who owns and runs both Salt ‘n’ Batter and Belle’s Kitchen in Rathmullan. The restaurant which specialises in simple, good, honest, local cuisine provides a great quality dining experience in relaxed informal surroundings with an emphasis on good value for money.

So come along and join us on Saturday 1st December for a night to remember! Please contact Karena on 086 3866801 or Damian on 086 8033344 to book your place.

.

Junior racing continued over the last two Fridays with the usual strong turnout and competitive spirit that the younger club members have been displaying all summer. On Friday September 14th there were two races over an Olympic style course, with a win for Eithne Boyle in the first race with Ryan Mortimer in second place. In the second race the Bahia crewed by Adam Khavia, Dan Little and Ben Khavia managed to overturn their third place finish in the first race to win, with Ryan again in second place and Eithne in third. However, on the following Friday, slack winds and a running tide meant that the last race in the current series had to be shortened as the dinghies struggled to make it around the final can, with Eithne Boyle in a Pico the only sailor judged to have completed the course. The sailors then repaired to the club compound for some welcome refreshments and to await the overall results for the series.  After some complex calculations by race officers Antoin MacGabhann and James Gallagher, Eithne Boyle was found to have come in first for the series and was rewarded with a new set of sailing bootees. There were vouchers for Belle’s Café for Ben Khavia in second place and, with a three-way tie for third place, for Ryans Mortimer and Flavell and Adam Khavia. Thanks go to all those adult members who have given up their time on a Friday evening to man the safety boat and run the series with such success and entertainment for the young sailors.

Unfortunately the last races in the Adult series on Thursday had to be cancelled due to the weather conditions and fading light in the evenings means we will have to wait for next season for the senior club members to race again. However, they can continue to hone their skills alongside the junior members on the Sunday Open sails which are set to continue for as long as sea conditions and temperatures permit. 

Thanks to all our members who joined with the Rathmullan Coastcare Group and local volunteers on Saturday last in Rathmullan’s ‘Big Beach Clean’.

The Big Beach Clean is an inittiative by an Taisce, partnered with the International Ocean Conservancy to survey Ireland’s coastline for marine litter. Marine litter is a global concern with millions of tonnes of litter ending up in our seas and oceans every year, posing environmental, economic, health and aesthetic problems.

Thanks to Anthony Mc Carron and the Rathmullan CEP scheme for their ongoing work keeping Rathmullan Beach clean and to all the volunteers on the day who collected over 50 bags of litter.

Anyone who is interested in getting involved with the Rathmullan Coastcare Group contact Fiona on 087 9872915.

Thursday 6th – Pauline 086 3390695

Friday 7th – James 086 2288181

Sunday 9th – Damian 086 8033344 Weather permitting we will sail to Ramelton and back ………..!

Thursday 13th – Joan 087 6890542 

Friday 14th – Rick 086 3863455

Sunday 16th – Karena 086 3866801

Thursday 20th – David  087 6742959 Final night Adult Race Series 

Friday 21st – Antoin 087 2224068 Final night Junior Race Series followed by prize giving at Compound.

Sunday 23rd James – 086 2288181

Sunday 30th Damian – 086 8033344

Sunday 7th Oct – Karena  086 3866801

Due to the shortening of evening light please be ready to sail promptly at 630pm for our eveing sails!

We would ask all club members to give at least a days notice, where possible, if they wish to cancel a booked boat for club sails. This enables RIB operator to re-assign boats to other club members who may wish to sail. Thanks.

The Rathmullan Coastcare Group with the support of the Rathmullan Sailing and Watersports Club are organising the next Big Beach Clean on Saturday 15th September from 12 – 2pm.

The Rathmullan Coastcare Group are one of 275 Coastcare Groups protecting Irelands beaches, seas and marine life by organising beach clean-ups over the weekend.  An Taisces Clean Coast Programme is partnering with the International Ocean Conservancy to survey Irelands coastline for marine litter and participants will be joined by hundreds of thousands of volunteers around the world over the weekend as part of this international beach clean.

Bags, gloves and litter-pickers will provided and everyone is welcome to join in this local community initiative.  For further information contact Fiona (087)987-2915.

Please contact safety boat operators listed below with intent to sail. You can also let contact person know if you are willing to help out with RIB duties on any of the given dates. Thanks.

Next Junior Race Series commences this Friday 10th August!

Thursday 9th August – Joan 087 6890542

Friday 10th – Damian  086 8033344

Sunday 12th - Rick 086 3863455

Thursday 16th – Pauline 086 3396095

Friday 17th - Karena 086 8033344

Sunday 19th – Damian 086 8033344

Thursday 23rd – Joan 0876890542

Friday 24th – Damian 086 8033344

Sunday 26th - James 086 2288181

Thursday 30th – Karena 086 8033344

Friday 31st – Damian  086 8033344

Sunday 2nd September – Damian 086 8033344

RSWC  beach campout in July was a great success and we are planning a sail/campout again for August, weather permitting. Date TBC – details will be posted on website. 

Our club open night was also a resounding success with huge interest and lots of people out there on the water enjoying a taste of Sailing. A huge thank you to Andrew, our dedicated instructor who had everyone joining the fun in the Picos. Also to Pauline and John on safety boat duties, to Anne Marie who organised everyone on the shore and to all who helped on the night. Unfortunately the wind died a little early, but what better excuse to retire to the compound and socialise around the BBQ! Thanks to Paula and David K who slaved over the hot coals for the duration…..!

There was a full turnout for the Rathmullan Regatta on BH Monday, with 5 Picos and 2 Bahias on the water. Light winds from the NW proved challenging at times, however three races were completed. Thanks to Tarla Mac Gabhann, Race Officer, assisted by Rick  and to Damian the designated safety boat operator with his numerous accomplices!

Results as follows:

1st – Dan Little;

2nd – Ben Khavia;

3rd – Adam Khavia.

Presentation took place in the club compound – thanks to Seafest who sponsored the prizes.

The 14th Annual Community Festival is set to take place in Rathmullan this coming weekend Fri 3rd to Monday 6th August. There will be a full programme of events that will entertain all – details can be found on www.rathmullan.info

RSWC volunteers are needed for the Festival Parade float at 8pm Friday 3rd. Contact Damian on 086 8033344 if you wish to take part and join in the fun. There will be no Friday evening sail on 3rd.

Open club sail will take place on Sunday morning 5th at 10 am . Contact Pauline on 086 3396095 with intent to sail.

To celebrate Regatta Day on BH Mon 6th RSWC are organising a Dinghy Regatta at 10am. Please contact Damian on 086 8033344 if you wish to take part.

LSYC are having a dinghy regatta this coming Sunday at 1pm, followed by BBQ and presentation at the clubhouse.

All RSWC members are invited to race/support and enjoy the bar b!

Check out LSYC website www.loughswillyyc.com  or contact Johnny Coyle on 00447522262270 for further details.

Summer is here! and we are organising a Junior’s evening sail with beach bar b and campout this coming Friday, weather permitting. 

Parents/Guardians of any Junior member who wishes to attend are asked to contact Caroline on 0860733164, ASAP. Thanks.

This Friday 20th June we are celebrating the final of our Junior Race series with a prizegiving presentation and barbeque on the beach. Well done to all our Junior club members who have taken part - it’s been a closely sailed series and we look forward to the results this Friday evening!

This night will also be an open night for anyone who is interested in getting involved with the club. With a promising weather forecast we are planning to get the Pico’s and Bahias out on the water and ask all members to invite anyone they know who would like to experience a club activity and may be thinking about joining our Club. Come along, bring your burgers and kebabs, there will be plenty of room on the coals!

Join in the fun and excitement that is RSWC from 7pm onwards at the club compound/beach area. See you all there!

A full sailing schedule for July is planned – we are all looking forward to fair winds and lots of sunshine….! Thursday evenings Adult Race Series, Friday evenings Junior Race Series, Sunday mornings Open Club Sails. We are also planning some added events for July – an overnight on Inch beach, beach bar -b and Junior’s race series presentation in Rathmullan, Try-a-Sail for anyone interested in sampling the thrill of adventures on the water! Check out Club calendar page for dates or contact any committee member for further information. We encourage every club member to bring along friends and family to our beach bar-r/Junior Race Series presentation/Try a Sail evening on Friday 20th July.  

Please contact safety boat operators with intent to sail.

Thursday 5th July – Pauline 0863396095

Friday 6th July – Rick 0863863455

Sunday 8th July – James 0862288181

Thursday 12th July – Pauline 0863396095

Friday 13th July – Damian 0868033344

Sunday 15th July – Joan 0876890542

Thursday 19th July – Pauline 0863396095

Friday 20th July – Damian 0868033344 Junior Race Series Presentation/Beach Bar B/Try a Sail

Sunday 22nd July – David K 0870518444

Thursday 26th July – Pauline 0863396095

Friday 27th July – Caroline 0860733164 Sail to Inch with overnight campout and bar-b.

Sunday 29th July – James 0862288181

Thursday 2nd August – Karena 0863866801

Monday 6th August – BH Monday Rathmullan Regatta

Contact Rick on 0863863455 with intent to sail tomorrow morning 10am – 12md.

Only a few days left to Seafest 2012 and an action packed fun filled schedule both on land and water this coming weekend. Check out www.seafestloughswilly.com for information on the full programme of events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. From paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaking, snorkelling and dinghy sailing on the water to on shore delights of landlubber beach games, seashore safari, crab fishing, sandsculpting and try-a-triathalon, this is one event not to be missed.

Join us on the Pier this Friday at 8pm for the Traditional Blessing of the Boats ceremony with distance swimming legend, Anne Marie Ward and the Colmcille Gospel Choir.

Don’t forget to register your interest in sailing in the Seafest Dinghy Regatta with Aengus on 086 8123019. Registration closes at 11am on the day of racing and full details of Dinghy Rules of Racing are available on our downloads page. So lets get out there and bring home the prizes! 

RSWC are looking for volunteers this Thursday at 6.30pm to come along to the compound for a clean up in preparation for Seafest! Come on down to Rathmullan and join in!

The racing instructions for the Dinghy races at the Seafest Lough Swilly festival are now on our downloads page.

All welcome, you can register your boat on the day.  Registration closes at 11am.

We will have spare dinghys if you would like to take part so please contact the club to book your boat.

Club members who wish to sail at Seafest and bring the prizes home are requested to register their interest ASAP to Joan at rathmullanwatersports@gmail.com   or by text to 0876890542. We would love to see as many of our club members as possible out there on the water for this fantastic weekend. It’s only two weeks away so let us know now – you don’t want to miss the boat!

There will be two afternoons of racing, on the Saturday and the Sunday, running from approx noon to approx 4pm.  There will be a skippers briefing at our compound at 11.30am sharp both days.

On the Friday evening of the seafest weekend (22nd) there will be a blessing of the boats ceremony.  All are welcome.

On Friday the 15th we are having the last night of our Spring Junior Racing Series.  This will be followed by a barbeque on the beach and club “open house”.   There will be a chance to get out in the boats for anybody who wants to have a go.  All welcome so please invite anyone you think would be interested in getting involved with our club and joining in the excitement and fun on the water!

The fine weather proved a big encouragement for the junior sailors to get out on the water with a big turnout for the race in Rathmullan last Friday. Unlike the early part of the month, the north-easterly winds were light so the young racers were towed out to the mussel beds.  As they had to wait for the wind to pick up, they had some fun capsizing and turtling the boats. Finally, when the winds improved, sailing instuctor Aengus Kennedy with help from Karena Hanley, set a sausage course round the Inch-Flat buoy. Competitors in the race were as follows: Dan Little, Samantha Algeo, Ryan Mortimer Adam Khavia, Ben Khavia, Vanessa Nunan and Eithne Boyle sharing a boat, and Eimear Rodgers and Rosie Lane sharing a boat.

 The race got off to a good start with Dan and Adam in the lead, closely followed by the others, but on the final stretch it was Dan and Vanessa and Eithne who were battling it out. Dan crossed the line in first place, only just in front of Vanessa and Eithne in second and Ben in third. Well done to all the sailors who had to use all their skills to make the most of very light winds.

The next race in the Junior series will be held on Friday June 1^st at 6.30. Adult racing takes place on Thursday evenings, with the next outing on May 31^st  at 6.30pm. The open club sails take place on Sunday at 10am..  Details on these and all other sailing and social events can be found on the club website: www.rathmullansailingclub.com. Preparations are well underway for Rathmullan’s SeaFest (June 22^nd to 24^th) and all the information is available on the website www.seafestloughswilly.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter. Anyone interested in learning new skills on the water can check out the sailing and kayaking courses on the school website: www.rathmullansailing.com.

Don’t forget this Saturday 19 May, 7pm at Rathmullan House, come along to the SeaFest launch in support of the RNLI. The evening begins with a Kinnegar Brewing reception in the walled garden, followed by a three-course SeaFest menu in Rathmullan House. Service is communal style, and tickets are €35 each. Proceeds go to the RNLI.

On 10th June, we are planning a Sunday morning club sail to Ramelton. Tides are ideal on this date so winds permitting we will make it the quay and back! Details will be posted on the website nearer the date. A sail not to be missed!

Friday 15th June heralds the final night of the Junior Spring Race Series, to be followed by prize giving and a barbeque on the beach. This night will also be an open night for anyone who is interested in getting involved with the club. We hope to get the Bahias out on the water and ask all members to invite anyone they know who would like to experience a club activity and may be thinking about joining. Come along, bring your burgers and kebabs, there will be plenty of room on the coals!

Friday 22nd June will see the annual Blessing of the Boats ceremony and of course the start of Seafest 2012. Follow Seafest on facebook and twitter for all the latest news, info and competitions.

Keep up to date on all the clubs activities on the website and facebook and don’t forget to check the schools website  www.rathmullansailing.com  for details on all sailing and kayaking courses for 2012.

The organising committee of the ISAF has launched a Junior Experience so that young sailors can experience an international event first hand. Two groups of 10 sailors will be facilitated daily, in Dun Laoghaire and the day package will include an opportunity to dine with the sailors and attend the post sailing briefing.  Groups of 10 including at least one adult (children must be 12 years of age or older). There is a daily rate of €20 per sailor/adult to contribute towards costs of meals and fuel.

Day Package as follows:

Arrive to the club at 09.00

Introduction and tour of venue

Assist with launching        

Watch the racing afloat

Lunch in the club

Dinner with the sailors in the Royal Marine 18.00 – 19.30

Attendance at the evening briefing with Hugh Styles and Maurice ‘Prof’ O’Connell 20.30 (optional)

Goodie bag including souvenir programme and t-shirt

Choice of Dates - Saturday 14th July, Sunday 15th July, Monday 16th July, Wednesday 18th July, Thursday 19th July, Friday 20th July (Closing Ceremony)

Full details and booking form are available by clicking this link  www.sailing.ie Cheques made payable to Dublin Bay 2012 should be sent to c/o ISA,3 Park Road,Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Ribs and volunteers are still required for the on water management of the event. If interested please contact Jim Dolan by emailing info@jmdolan.ie.

The RSWC White Harte Dinghy Regatta took place last Friday evening, with challenging wind conditions providing an exciting competition, run over three olympic triangular courses.

In the first race Adam Khavia had a strong start but an error, resulting in a 360 turn penalty giving Dan Little the opportunity to claim the race at the final mark. Samantha Algeo took third with Ben Khavia, Eimear Rodgers and Rosie Lane in close pursuit. In the second race Samantha led throughout with Adam and Dan vying for second and third place. The third race was also a close-run affair with the skilful and consistnet Dan Little taking first place and the Khavia brothers fighting it out for second and third – with Ben narrowly beating Adam into third.

The overall result saw Dan Little taking first place and he was presented with a trophy and a voucher for Belle’s Kitchen at the prize-giving in the White Harte on Saturday. Adam Khavia and Samantha Algeo also recieved vouchers for their second and third places respectively. Congratulations to all the young sailors who took part. Special thanks to Aengus Kennedy who was race officer and to Patricia Mc Ateer and the White Harte in Rathmullan.

The next race in the Junior series will be held on Friday 18th May at 6.30pm.  The Adult race series will now take place each Thursday evening (previously alternate Thursdays) and the next race will be on Thursday 31st May. 

Well done to our club members who successfully completed their Level 1 Powerboating with Derek Flanagan, Saturday last. Congrats to Paul Buchannan, Cillian O’Rourke and Patrick Lane. Looking forward to seeing you all out on the RIB for club sails and racing!

Congratulations to LSYC who had a very successful White Harte Regatta day on Saturday.

In Class 1 the overall result was a tie, decided on a tie-breaker between Zutsy and Desperado, with Chilli Padi third.

In Class 2 the MacGabhann brothers battled it out for first and second place, with Boomerang first and Tempo second, and Ladyhawk third on a tie breaker with Hot Potato.

Stilll a busy action packed schedule for the coming weeks with the Junior and Adult Race series continuing and club open sails on Sunday mornings. Please contact safety boat operators with intent to sail. Any club members who wish to help out on the RIB for any dates would be greatly appreciated. Again contact named RIB operators.

Friday 18th May – Karena 0863866801

Sunday 20th May – Karena 0863866801

Thursday 24th May – Pauline 0863396095

Friday 25th May – Aengus 0868123019

Sunday 27th May – Joan 0876890542

Thursday 31st May – Rick 0863863455

Friday 1st June – Aengus 0868123019

Sunday 3rd June – Karena 0863866801

Thursday 7th June – Joan 0876890542

Friday 8th June – Aengus  0868123019

Sunday 10th June – Damian 0868033344  Please note this sail will be a club sail to Ramelton, weather permitting. Details will be posted on website nearer to the date.

Thursday 14th June – James 0862288181

Friday 15th June – Aengus 0868123019  This will be the final of the Junior’s Spring Race Series and will be followed by presentation and bar b at compound.

Sunday 17th June – Pauline 0863396095

Due to unfavourable weather conditions both the adult and junior race series were cancelled last Thursday and Friday evenings.

The junior race series, now in its fourth week has proved to be an exciting and closely fought competition so far. Competitors have braved strong, biting, blustery northern winds testing them physically and mentally, but all have risen to the challenge with great gusto and zeal. With many of our junior sailors on form this year, the results over the coming weeks will make for interesting reading and will put the juniors on the crest of the wave for Seafest (22^nd to 24^th June) where they will compete against other clubs.

The adult race series is also under way – taking place on alternate Thursday evenings, however the elder lemons are not as enthusiastic in taking to the water as our younger club members!

There will be seven races in both the junior and adult series, with the competitors’ top six finishes counting towards their final points score.

Open sails continue on Sunday mornings and alternative Thursday evenings and details of safety boat operators for these events are listed on the website and notified to club members via web text.

For anyone wishing to join in the fun on the water, information on adult and junior sailing and kayaking courses can be found on the sailing school website www.rathmullansailing.com

This year Seafest are planning a pre-fest SeaFest event. Come along on Saturday 19 May, 6pm at Rathmullan House for the SeaFest launch in support of the RNLI. The evening begins with a Kinnegar Brewing reception in the walled garden, followed by a three-course SeaFest menu in Rathmullan House. Service is communal style, and tickets are €35 each. Proceeds go to the RNLI.

Follow Seafest on Facebook and Twitter and why not enter the latest Seafest competition. Click on this link http://t.co/MhFSFizn to be in with a chance to win complimentary Seafest food vouchers – enough for 4 adults to eat themselves silly!!

Thanks to everyone who helped out with the National Spring clean up last weekend. Despite unfavourable weather conditions willing volunteers managed to fill a skip load of rubbish!

Thanks to Fiona Kelly who liased with Donegal County Council in the organisation of this event.

Also a huge thank you to Ronnie Blake of Belle’s Kitchen for providing hearty warming soup and Mc Gettigans bakery for the delicious breads which volunteers enjoyed after the clean up.

Rathmullan’s Annual Spring beach clean up, sponsored by RSWC takes place this coming Saturday 21st April, from 12md – 2pm.

We’ll meet at the Rathmullan carpark at 12 md where everyone will be supplied with gloves and collection bags.

Please contact the safety boat operators below with intent to sail:

Sunday 22nd April – James 086 2288181

Thursday 26th April – Pauline 086 3396095

Friday 27th April – Aengus 086 8123019

Sunday 29th April – Joan 087 6890542

Thursday 3rd May – Joan 087 6890542

Friday 4th May - Aengus 086 8123019

Sunday 6th May – Karena 086 3866801

Thursday 10th May – Damian 0868033344

Friday 11th May – Aengus 086 8123019

Sunday 13th May – Rick 0863863455

Don’t forget this Friday is the first of the Junior race series of 2012′s sailing season. Contact Aengus on 0868123019 to reserve your place.

Andrew Guckian, Rathmullan’s saiilng school instructor, is returning to Lough Swilly next week to run the first sailing course of the season.

And as a surprise bonus to all club members he will be available over the course of the week to facilitate members who wish to join him on the water for some update of skills sessions/refresher sails. This is a fantastic opportunity to get back out on the water with the added bonus of having Andrew on hand for tips and advice!

Places will be limited, as sessions will run in tandem with the sailing school course. Please contact Andrew on 0879821209 for availability.

An opportunity definitely not to be missed!

Proposed club sailing schedule 2012 as follows:

Thursday evening – adult club race series

Friday evening – junior club race series

Sunday morning/afternoon – open club sails/excursions 

First open club sail of the season will be on Easter Monday 9th April at 10am. Contact Karena 0863866801 to reserve your place.

Friday April 13th – first junior race series contact Aengus 0868123019.

Sunday April 15th – first Sunday morning club sail contact Rick 0863863455.

Keep checking the club website for further details and updates of sails and safety boat operators for sails.

Put the date in your diary! After the smash success of SeaFest 2011, it has been decided to push ahead with the event again in 2012. The dates have been changed slightly to fit ideally into a calendar packed with superb sailing and watersports events.

Join us here on the Swilly June 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 2012 for plenty of fun and excitement – both on and off the water – and a fabulous array of great local food. For regular updates on the SeaFest programme, check in occasionally at http://seafestloughswilly.com/, or follow SeaFest on Facebook and Twitter

The first sailing course of 2012 will start on Easter Monday.  For anyone who wants to learn the skills of dinghy sailing Rathmullan Sailing School’s first course of the year will start on Easter BH Monday, 9th April. The course, with instructor Andrew Guckian, will run for five days and all equipment is provided. 

Please ring 086 8123019 for further details or check out the schools website at www.rathmullansailng.com

Click on this link for more details! http://rathmullansailing.com/

ISA Dubarry 6th National Conference takes place on 3rd March in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire. The conference will host many seminars and workshops accross a range of interesting topics, delivered by guest speakers. Rick LeVert is one of the guest speakers and if you would like to hear his speech on Rathmullan Seafest he is on the floor at Sail Spraoi 10.15-11am.  Click on the link below for timetable http://www.sailing.ie/Portals/13/Timetable/Timetable_15-02-2012.pdf 

To book go to www.sailing.ie/Conference  Conference free to members.

Thanks to all our club members who attended the recent AGM of RSWC. There was an excellent turnout on the night and it was very encouraging to see so many of our junior members in attendance.

Outgoing club secretary David Browne acknowledged the work of all members of the RSWC committee 2011. Aengus Kennedy was commended for his outstanding commitment to club development over the past year. David also highlighted the need for additional safety boat operators to accommodate club expansion in the coming year. Any club members who are interested in becoming safety boat operators should contact Damian Rodgers on 0868033344, who can organise ISA Powerboat training. The club also plan to run practical RIB sessions on the water which will enable people to gain useful experience in power boating. These sessions will be notified to club members via club texts. Thanks goes to James Gallagher for volunteering his time and invaluable knowledge/experience in accommodating members who wish to improve their RIB piloting skills.

An exciting development this year is the addition of two children’s representatives to the club committee. Congratulations to Shauna Rodgers and Adam Khavia who are the clubs first junior committee members. As representatives of every junior member of the club we look forward to their suggestions and schemes for the coming year!

We were also delighted to have the opportunity to elect two junior race reporters who will diligently report on all the racing and training which takes place this year. This huge responsibility has gone to two of our youngest and very talented sailors Eithne Boyle and Eimear Rodgers. Go girls!!

For a full list of newly elected committee members 2012 please check out the club website.

Wishing all our members another great year on the water for 2012.

February’s Junior Race Workshop is taking place on Saturday 18th from 1 – 4 pm.  Another great opportunity for our young members to advance their racing knowledge and skills ahead of the spring/summer racing schedules.

Don’t forget to book early to ensure a place! Contact Aengus on 086 8123019.

The Annual General Meeting of RSWC will take place on Tuesday 31st March 2012 in Rathmullan Resource Centre, from 8 – 9 pm.

All our members, including our junior members, are encouraged to attend as this will be a great opportunity to voice your opinions and views on where/how you see your club developing over the coming year. It’s also a chance to meet and communicate with other members of the club and get the full ‘low down’ on how we’ve been doing so far!

See you all there!

Aengus Kennedy is running the first of the New Year junior racing skills workshops this coming Saturday 14th January.  Meet at the compound at 1pm and finish time will be approx 4pm. If interested please contact Aengus on 0868123019.

These workshops are proving to be very popular so to ensure a place please book early!

RSWC Annual Frostbite Sail will take place tomorrow Sunday Jan 1st 2012 at 12md. Contact James to book your place on 086228881. Come along and join in the fun of our very first club sail of the New Year. A promising forecast of fresh southwesterly winds and mild temperatures should provide ideal sailing conditions to start off our 2012 season!

Wishing all our members a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

On October 22^nd a very successful junior racing tips and skills workshop was held by Aengus Kennedy, our hugely popular and talented sailing instructor. Aengus plans to run these afternoon sessions right through the winter months, weather permitting. So if you want to leave the competition in irons and be first over the line please book your place with Aengus on 0868123019 for the next session. Set to take place this coming Saturday afternoon, 19^th November from 1 – 4pm. Judging from the 100% positive feedback we have received from our junior sailors this is one event not to be missed. But if you did miss out last time, here’s what one of our youngest talented sailors had to report about the day.

Junior Race Training with Aengus Kennedy by Eithne Boyle.

One damp and windy Autumn Saturday, a group of junior sailors gathered on the shores of Lough Swilly open minded and willing to learn how to become even better sailors. Unfortunately the heavens opened and the rain beat down hard so we retreated under the roof of the local community center.

For 40 minutes our trusty instructor Aengus explained some basic theory and rules of racing to us. After our helpful class the sun came out of hiding and the rain died down to a light drizzle. We headed out on the water and put our theory into testing.

Angus plotted out a few race courses for us to compete and practice our new skills on. A steady South Easterly wind guaranteed us a brilliant sail.

The day had been wonderful. We had great wind, a little rain, a bit of sunshine, loads of fun and a brilliant instructor. We are definitely looking forward to the next one!

Thanks Aengus!