Open Day Tryouts

  In association with County Wicklow Tourism, we are offering free short trip tryouts for potential Cruising customers from Wicklow Harbour on Sat 16th and Sun 17th April - come along and see if you might like it. Weather permitting, we will take out up to 4 persons, min age 10yrs and accompanied by an adult, to give you a flavour of what sailing is about. If you like it, you might be tempted to come back for more.

Spring 2010

   We have kept Stravaiger in the water to run weekend courses during the off season. In order for trips to happen, at 2 persons will be needed and because of the generally cold/wet conditions at this time of year, previous experience would be desirable. Anyone wishing to build up qualifying miles for the Round Ireland in June, we can organise 75+NM non-stop trips for training purposes - preferably with 3 or 4 crew.

  See the schedule for provisional weekend trips up until early June - let me know if any suit. All trips before 1st June qualify for 10% discount, as well as loyalty discount to repeat customers. Don't delay, get in touch asap.

   We can also organise SRC (VHF), Emergency Care (1st Aid) and Navigation courses for anyone needing same - min. of 4 persons in all cases. Please let me know if you are interested. (see over -->)

Greek Waters Aug2010

   Following on from our very exciting adventures in 2007 and 2008  and a more leisurely trip in 2009 sailing in the Aegean, this year we plan to go West again towards the Eastern Pelopinnesian cruising ground via the Saronic Gulf, where waters are generally calmer and more friendly for beginners to consider joining us. Flying to Athens, we hope to enjoy a week of cruising in beautiful waters with many sites of historical interest to visit while enjoying the small town ambiance of the many harbours and anchorages throughout the area. The islands of Hydra, Spetses and Poros are well worth a visit among many other interesting destinations.

 The proposed dates are late Aug assuming we can match flights to dates. Check out this link for more information.

South East Cruising School on YouTube

   Following on from an ISA Day Skipper course we ran in August 2008, successful candidate Tiberiu Coroliuc put together this video of the trip which gives a good flavour of the types of experiences that candidates might encounter - organising the navigation, taking charge of the vessel, sailing in strong winds, life at anchor and on board and more. Check it out here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BgXLuqYShU - follow the link. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better in 2010!

Canaries Jan 2011

  Following on our very successful trips in Jan 2008, we ran a one week trip in the Canaries in early January 2009, (10th/17th). Next up, we hope to be back for some winter sunshine sailing in January 2011. The Canaries are in the Atlantic Ocean and as such, are not suitable for beginners. Keep an eye out here for further news.

  From our 2008 trip, have a look Paddy Smyths article in the Irish Times Travel Supplement (March 22nd) for more information. We hope to be back in January 2010 for another Winter Sunshine Sailing trip - don't be disappointed, contact us now.

Recession Buster - Lower Prices

  For the second year running, I have dropped my prices in recognition that your spending power is shrinking as more demands make calls on your funds. Early season discounts apply. Also, please ask about terms - we might be able to accommodate in special circumstances.

  Unfortunately, due to exorbitant charges by the Credit Card company, I can no longer accept payment by way of credit card - apologies for the inconvenience.

   If you are a member of the ISA (either through your club or directly), you can claim a 10% DISCOUNT on all SECS courses in 2010. Existing customers also qualify for the same discount but cannot avail of both. Also, see above topic for early season discounts.

Summer Options 2010

      Our normal fare of weekends, 5 days, ICC and Own Boat Training courses are all popular options with our customers and provisional dates are available on the SECS schedule - see menu above. Whether you are a beginner, improver or aiming to get a higher Certificate - we have options available that should suit you.

    See our Greek paragraph for information on Sunshine Sail Training this summer.

    Stravaiger is still awaiting her Department of Transport P6 COMSAIL inspection (Survey has been applied for since Jan 2009) - related refinements will be top of the maintenance agenda for the 2009 season.

SRC (VHF) / Emergency Care (1st Aid) courses

   If you would like get a Ships or Personal Radio Licence, we can organise a Short Range Certificate VHF Radio course - generally over 3 nights (or as suits), with a separate exam. In order for it to happen, we will need a minimum of 4 students.

   The Irish Sailing Association Emergency Care (1st Aid) course is designed specifically for boating enthusiasts over 2 days with about 1/3rd taken up with practical training. Whether you need it for vocational reasons or just for your own benefit, this course is well worth the time spent in doing it. We are hoping to organise a course over the Easter holiday period - let me know if you are interested.

 Yachtmaster Offshore Successes

   We are delighted to report 2 more candidates have passed the ISA Yachtmaster Offshore Practical exam last year - Ivan Alcorn and Eoin Christiansen, to add to the growing list of South East Cruising School trained Yachtmasters. Others whom we know about in recent years are - Jim Grey (now an Instructor), Brendan O Connell, John Ahern, Colm Mac Fhionnlaigh, Ciaran Doyle, Nicky Keogh, Tommy Mc Aulay, PJ Swaine and Ansis Dimiters (now skippering a 72' super yacht "Celtic Spirit of Fastnet, having been to the Artic and Antarctic, now heading for the Baltic with it).

  This Certificate is the highest practical cert available to Yachtsmen wishing to sail or motor vessels in offshore waters (YM Ocean is mainly a Celestial Navigation Cert) and is due reward for building up experience with over 2500 miles logged and your ability to take full charge of a vessel up to 24 metres in length.