There are people at the wheel of Super Tankers, Cross Channel Ferries, racing yachts and world cruisers that started sailing with Clifden Boat Club. Many have become instructors in sailing and other water sports and teach all over the world. Members of Clifden Boat Club currently sail in places all over the world from the Arctic to Australia. Sailing is an activity that gives kids a great interest where they can learn to work with others and also be independent and resourceful. It is an outdoor activity where it is almost impossible to use a smartphone, indeed many phones have met a watery end here! It often surprises parents how keen sailors their children become in a very short space of time.
Clifden Boat Club has been in existence since the early 1900’s but its present form really started when a new club house and facilities was built in the early 80’s funded by local sailing enthusiasts. The club is a centre for sailing in the area and has a great social network. There is a cafe and bar to meet and relax in the clubhouse. A regatta is held every year in august and Clifden Boat Club members sail to many events and do very well as a small Club and a number of prestigious Irish racing events have been hosted at the club.
Sailing Courses:
Sailing courses are run every year throughout the Easter and Summer School Holidays. There is an Easter Sailing camp and a succession of weeks during the summer that covers every skill level from first timers to advanced sailors. There is a modern fleet of boats and safety equipment provided and classrooms showers and other facilities.These courses can lead to participants achieving Irish Sailing Association Qualifications. The instructors are Irish Sailing Association Qualified and approved and have all the necessary safety certificates to enable them to run every water based activity. These courses are a great way to get kids started sailing or to improve skills they may already have.
This year there will be an Easter sailing camp from the 6th – 10th April, you can book for this, or phone. During the summer, from 29th June to 28th August Summer camps will run weekly, 5 days sailing from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Contact Details: To find out more about participating in a course or any other inquiries Contact Pascal Marinot at [email protected]
His telephone number is 00353(0)872601743
To book a camp click here: https://cbcschool.corsizio.com
Sunday Sailing:
There is Sunday Sailing Starting at Easter and Every Sunday (weather permitting) from 12 to 2 pm for advanced sailors only, just turn up and have a chat with one of the organisers and see what is available. It can be a great afternoon.
Cruiser sailing, involving the larger keel boats happens every Thursday from 6 pm. If you ask around in the club there is often a space for someone to go sailing on one of these boats.
If you just like watching people messing about in boats the Boat Club has a great Cafe and Bar with a panoramic view over the bay. This has also become a popular half way stop for people walking the beach road from Clifden to the Boat Club and back.
Clifden Boat Club website is here http://www.clifdenboatclub.com/

The Club House