Following meetings this week with Irish Sailing we are given the go ahead to commence Recreational Training and Race Training for Adults as of May 12^th in compliance with the latest Governmental Covid Guidelines.

We are planning on the following for Skerries Sailing Club

• Wed 12^th May:  Recreational Training and Race Training for Adults, Course Marks will be laid in the water, Safety & Committee boats will be in attendance, training starts at 19.45. 
• Sun 16^th May: Recreational Training and Race Training for Adults, Course Marks will be laid in the water, Safety & Committee boats will be in attendance, training starts at 11.00
• Subsequent Wednesday and Sunday  Recreational Training and Race Training for Adults will commence at above times up to 6^th June.
• Formal Club Racing commences Wed 9^th June.

Changing and shower rooms are off limits until further notice, toilets will be available.

This is a summary of Irish Sailing guidelines issued 12^th April  in compliance with the current Government Covid Restrictions.

We await the next Government announcement due 4^th May to learn more on the further easing of restrictions.

• No organised indoor gatherings should take place. Clubhouse remains closed, members are allowed to access their boats in the Club Storage yard.

• No organised outdoor gatherings should take place. No racing, Adult training  events or organised club events can take place.

The following can take place.

• From 12th April – 2 people from different households can go sailing in a boat together for personal exercise.
• From 26th April – allows for training / coaching for school age children in pods of 15.
• 1:1 coaching for Adults with two people from different households where the coach is included in the two households

Dear Members,

Just a brief word of thanks as we come to the end of this year’s sailing season. This year has presented un precedented challenges to the running of the Club and sailing in general. No one could have guessed last March what disruption was ahead of us as we were preparing for the launch of the 2020 season and readying our club for the international spotlight of the GP14 World championships.

You won’t be surprised to learn that out of the depths of such disruption and uncertainty SSC as a group far exceeded the norm and rallied to hold our club together through this though season. The levels of commitment, flexibility, teamwork and positive attitude soared this year making us all proud to be members. Although it would not be correct to single out any one group for the success of this season, I would outline three main columns of support which galvanised with a common purpose.

The number of volunteers who enthusiastically engaged in all aspects of the running of the club is truly staggering. The number one priority this year was to ensure the safety of our members, friends and staff while executing on a huge list of activities. Teams engaged in Covid 19 Compliance, Equipment maintenance, Building update, Catering, Operational management, Sailing organisation and many other tasks which were hugely more complicated under the Covid 19 guidelines. Those of you who enjoyed the limited socialising this season in our refurbished interior have experienced a tase of things to come.

Your Senior and Junior committee members rose to the challenge driving the season forward with great innovation, many hours spent on virtual meeting calls and coordinating volunteer groups keeping the Club as active and vibrant as possible.

Finally, the main column of support without which none of the above could succeed is you the members. Your support by sailing when possible, attending social functions where possible, and direct financial support through payment of membership fees is literally keeping this club afloat.  We are deeply grateful to those members who have patronised through additional contributions in support of our key improvement projects.

Like every small business our Club has been severely restricted in the running of revenue generating events this year which normally assists in the financial burden. With the continued support of you the members we will emerge from this difficult period and return to the vibrant club which we always have been.

I look forward to seeing you all enjoy the 2021 sailing season, socialising in our refurbished interior and renewing your belief that SSC is a great club and community to be a member of.

Keep Safe and Keep Well

Liam O’Callaghan, Commodore.

Dear Sailors,

Due to the ongoing level 3 restrictions in Dublin through the remainder of October, our official sailing season has come to a premature end. As such we will not be rescheduling any dates for the remainder of 2020. 

When we think back to the start of the year, we probably did not expect to get any racing in during the summer, however we were lucky to get a window of opportunity to complete 4 months out of our regular 6-month season. We also saw some of the largest fleet numbers taking part in our club racing in recent years, with up to 60 people sailing on a Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, so given the challenges we all faced this year I think we can look back with some satisfaction of great summers sailing. 

Below are the trophy winners for the year, and also the points winners for the regular season series. As no laying up supper can take place this year, we are currently looking at potentially a virtual prize giving. Further details will be provided at a later time. 

Finally, I would like to thank all volunteers who have helped throughout the season, our rib drivers and their assists along with those who launched, recovered and tirelessly maintain our club ribs. The onshore team who created a safe and fun post sailing atmosphere to socialize outside the club after racing.  A special thanks to our race officers, Liam Dineen, Micheline Shiels and Helen Ryan as well as Kieran Branagan who has overseen the results process. 

Let’s hope 2021 brings some normality back to our regular season. 

Many thanks 

Doire 

Due to recent further Covid19 restrictions (Dublin raised to Level 3+) all club organized sailing is cancelled for the next three weeks. This decision will be reviewed at that time or once government advice is updated.

Sailing Secretary, SSC – dated Saturday September 19th, 2020

Monday, 7th September 2020 (this colour):

The Commodore and Committee of Skerries Sailing Club would like to thank all our members and friends for their support during the recent precautionary close down.

We are happy to announce the re-opening of the Club and its activities this week.  Punt, Sailing and Refreshment services will re-commence this week as per our social media and newsletter notifications. Please continue to observe all social distancing and traceability guidelines when entering Skerries Sailing Club premises.

Thank you, The Commodore and Committee of Skerries Sailing Club

Update (this colour) – Thursday, 3rd September 2020:

On advice it is notified that Skerries Sailing Club will to be closed for activities  through this weekend. We are hopeful of good news through the weekend and will review again on Monday with a view to opening during next week. Updates will be posted via Newsletter distribution and on our social media platforms

The Commodore and Committee  of Skerries Sailing Club would like to reassure our members and friends that all policies, procedures and guidelines to safeguard against the spread of Covid 19 have been in place and are being rigidly adhered to by the Club.

The Club was advised prior to last weekend that two of our members had been deemed a “casual contact” of a confirmed case of Covid 19.  Those members did not attend the clubhouse from that time.

We have been made aware of the possibility of a local cluster of Covid 19 in the Skerries area.  As a precautionary measure all club activities will cease with immediate effect.  We will review the situation later in the week, further updates will be posted on this website to keep members advised.

The Commodore and Committee of Skerries Sailing Club

The Commodore, Vice-Commodore and sailing secretary have decided, with consultation of our PRO, that due to the impending forecast coupled with the new Government restrictions it would be the safest option to cancel this years regatta. Many thanks to all volunteers who had put their name forward to help. 

Normal club racing will now be taking place Sunday the 23rd instead. Under the new guidelines all sailors participating in racing are asked to be extra vigilant in maintaining social distancing at all times, especially before and after sailing. We would also ask as to avoid congregations/ crowding after sailing that if you are not using the bar-restaurant facility in the downstairs part of the sailing club to avoid the area as to ensure sufficient spacing between tables, pods and groups.

While this is an unfortunate bump in the road we have enjoyed excellent sailing to date, with 28 boats on the water on the Sunday just gone, one of our biggest numbers in recent seasons. The goal from now is to finish out our season in a safe and fun manner.