ULSSC : New Members : University of Limerick Staff Sailing Club, UL Activity Centre, Co. Clare, Ireland

ULSSC: New Members

Thinking of joining the club, well if so this is the page for you.

For beginners the best time to join the club is at the beginning of each sailing season (March-May) . You will then be in time for the annual introductory evening talk which takes place on campus in UL. Dedicated club open days aim to allow new people to first experience some sailing before joining the club. Once you have joined the club beginners courses are organised at the start of each year and from these you will obtain ISA certificates for either level 1/2 sailing. Our membership will provide you with 50% discount on other ULAC training courses. New members who have past experience of sailing are welcome to join any time of the year.

The members page describes the different types of membership within the club. But before going there you may have some other questions.

How do you get to the UL Activity Centre ?
Each Tuesday we aim to arrive at the ULAC for 5.30pm. For those without transport a car pool exists which meets in front of the Lonsdale Building at 4.50pm-5pm before leaving for Killaloe . Here are some directions on driving from UL to ULAC.

Introductory Talk on Campus

An intoductory talk is held on campus each year, usually a week or two after the clocks change forward by an hour, this is the first step towards allowing sufficient time to go sailing after work. For those of interested but not totally sure at first you can sign up to go sailing as part of an Open Day usually the Tuesday after the talk.

This is to enable you to get a feel for sailing before committing to becomming a member of the club.

For new members who are beginners a level 1 sailing course will facilitate your learning process.
On arrival at the centre, beginners team up with instructors for their introductory course. Meanwhile, an experienced Saftey Officer, will have overall responsibility for the club's outing, to agree activities for the more experienced sailors. Taking the prevailing conditions into account, these are chosen to match the interests and capabilities of everybody present.

What happens when you first go out sailing on a regular evening sailing ?
For a typical evening's sailing, informal races might be run around a course set on the lake in front of the Activity Centre, or we might sail to and from nearby markers for fun. Boat-handling practice and safety drills are arranged at intervals to help everyone keep up to speed with important skills. Every one is off the water by last light, this changes from week to week over the summer, allowing plenty time for a hot shower before heading into Killaloe for a welcome drink and something to eat.

Costs involved
The costs involved can be quite low. The club is in a unique relationship with the University of Limerick Activity Centre. A very reasonalby membership fee which includes the use of the dingy's , wet suits , bouyancy aids,.... on average the price of sailing with each Tuesday over a season is approximatily 5 Euros a night, probable the cheapest and safest place to introduce yourself to the worlkd of sailing. Should you need to attend a sailing course then your membership of the club will entitle you to a 50% reduction in an course fees at ULAC.

Additional Equipment to bring.
A woolly hat, some swimming togs, spare tee shirt, old runners and a willingness to get stuck in!. Towel and shower items will also come in handy. If you need to wear glasses while sailing remember to get a tie clip, in case they fall off, those planning on racing will also want to bring their own stop watch.

Other questions ?

Feel free to contact the committee members who will welcome any questions you have about the club. Arrange to pop out and go sailing with us some evening and see what is involved in the wonderful sport.

Download link for Membership form