SBSS Instructor Training Pathway

Sailors who want to become an SBSS Instructor can follow a clear pathway, starting with Assistant Instructor, then SBSS Instructor through to either Advanced Instructor or Senior Instructor depending on how far they want to go. Please see below for information on each stage in the pathway.

To find a course, click here

 

Small Boat Sailing Scheme


There are 6 different types of instructorship within this scheme. This pathway page gives you all the pre-requiste information, links and FAQs. If you any any further questions please email training@sailing.ie. 

ASSISTANT
INSTRUCTOR

Assists the Instructor in the delivery of courses within the Small Boat Sailing Scheme.

Full
Details
HERE

SBSS
INSTRUCTOR

(Catamaran,
Dinghy, or
Keelboat)

This can be for Catamaran, Dinghy or Keelboat.
Can deliver the following courses ...

  • Taste of Sailing
  • Start Sailing
  • Basic Skills
  • Improving Skills
  • Cara na Mara

Full
Details
HERE

ADVANCED
SAILING
INSTRUCTOR

Can delivery the following courses ...

  •     Advanced Boat Handling
  •     Adventure Skills
  •     Kites & Wires
  •     Start Racing
Full
Details
HERE

SENIOR
INSTRUCTOR

Plans and manages sailing courses within the Small Boat Sailing Scheme, including the supervision and development of Instructors

Full
Details
HERE

 

Assistant Instructor Course Pre-requisites

You must meet the following criteria before you attend an Assistant Instructor course in your club / centre -

AGE

You must be a minimum of 15 years old to attend the course

QUALIFICATIONS

You must hold one or more of the following Irish Sailling Advanced certificates

  • Advanced Boat Handling
  • Kites & Wires
  • Adventure Skills
  • Start Racing

PLUS

Irish Sailing Garda Vetting clearance as follows ...

  • 15 years - cannot be vetted
  • 16 years - recommended
  • 17 years - required

Sport Ireland Safeguarding 1 Child Protection certified

  • 15 years - cannot do course
  • 16 years - recommended
  • 17+ years - required

 

Assistant Instructor Course FAQs

How long is the course?

14 hours or 2 days

Who is the trainer?

The Senior Instructor in the Club / Centre where you will be working

How long does the qualification last?

2 years from the end of the course

Where can I work?

In the club / centre where you have trained

Who do I work with?

With the Senior Instructor and Instructors

Can I work in a different club?

Yes, but you must do a 1 day validation inyour new club / centre

If your questions are not answered, please email training@sailing.ie

SBSS Instructor Course Pre-requisites

You must meet the following criteria before you attend a Small Boat Sailing Scheme Instructor course in your club / centre -

AGE

You must be a minimum of 16½ years old to attend the course – you will not be certified until you turn 17

QUALIFICATIONS

  • You must have successfully completed the relevant Pre-entry Assessment within the last 12 months
  • Irish Sailing National Powerboat certificate endorsed for tiller and console controls
  • Current valid First Aid certificate
  • Sport Ireland Safeguarding 1 Child Protection certificate

PLUS

 

SBSS Instructor Course FAQs

How long is the course?

5 days - full attendance required

Who is the trainer?

An Irish Sailing Instructor Trainer - listed HERE

How long does the qualificaiton last?

3 years from the end of the course

Where can I work?

In any Irish Sailing recognised small boat sailing scheme training centre / club

How much does it cost?

Costs vary in different organisations

Where are the courses run?

In an Irish Sailing Recognised Training centres / club

How do I book a place?

Bookings are made directly with the club / centre

When are the courses run?

Courses can be run year round but are most commonly run during school holidays ...

  • Easter
  • Early June
  • Ocober mid-term

See a list of all currently scheduled courses HERE

What powerboat qualification and experience do I need?

  • An Irish Sailing National Powerboat certificate
  • Endorsed for both tiller and console controls
  • plus 20 powerboating hours logged follow certification

What if I already hold a different Irish Sailing Instructor qualification?

You can do a conversion course ...

  • 2 day conversion for any of the SBSS instructors to convert to another SBSS Instructor e.g. Dinghy to Keelboat, Keelboat to Dinghy 
  • 3 day conversion for a Powerboat or Windsurfing Instructors to an SBSS Instructor

If your questions are not answered, please email training@sailing.ie

 

Advanced Instructor Course Pre-requisites

You must meet the following criteria before you attend an Advanced Instructor course in your club / centre -

QUALIFICATIONS

You must hold one or more of the following Irish Sailling Instructor qualifications

INSTRUCTING HOURS LOGGED

You must have 20 days logged teaching on Irish Sailing SBSS courses to include 5 days at Improving Skills Level

PERSONAL HOURS LOGGED

You must have a total of 30 sessions (2½ hours water time or 2 races) to include ...

  • 6 sessions in a kites and wires boat experience with symmetric and asymmetric required;
  • 6 sessions in more than 18kn of wind speed;
  • 6 sessions in alternative boats, i.e. keelboats, day sailors, tall ships, access boats, traditional sailing boats, windsurfing, kite surfing, etc.
  • 6 sessions racing (12 races keelboats/dinghies) club or open events;
  • 3-day trips 5 hours water time submit 1 passage/pilotage plan and log from 1 of these trips;
  • 20 hours logged powerboat, providing rescue/mark laying, please note any rescues; and
  • 2 races assisting on committee boat

PLUS

RECOMMENDED

Navigation Knowledge

... it is strongly recommended that you consider completing one of the Irish Sailing or RYA shorebased navigation courses.

 

Advanced Instructor Course FAQs

How long is the course?

4 days - full attendance required

Who is the trainer?

An Irish Sailing Instructor Trainer - listed HERE

How long does the qualification last?

5 years from the end of the course

Where can I work?

In an Irish Sailing SBSS Recognised Training centres / club that is ADVANCED accredited

How much does it cost?

Costs vary in different organisations

Where are the courses run?

In an Irish Sailing SBSS Recognised Training centres / club that is ADVANCED accredited

How do I book a place?

Bookings are made directly with the club / centre

When are the courses run?

Courses can be run year round and are often split over two weekends

See a list of all currently scheduled courses HERE

What powerboat qualification and experience do I need?

An Irish Sailing Safety Boat certificate

What courses will I be able to teach?

  • Advanced Boat Handling
  • Kites & Wires
  • Adventure Skills
  • Start Racing

Will this revalidate my existing Instructor qualifications?

 

Attendance and successful completion of this course will revalidate all your SBSS Certificates up to and including Senior Instructor for a further 5 years from the date of completion

If your questions are not answered, please email training@sailing.ie

 

Senior Instructor Course Pre-requisites

You must meet the following criteria before you attend an Advanced Instructor course in your club / centre -

AGE

You must be a minimum of 18½ years old to attend the course – you will not be certified until you turn 19

QUALIFICATIONS

You must hold one or more of the following Irish Sailling Instructor qualificaitons
  • Sailing Instructor Catamaran, Dinghy or Keelboat
  • Irish Sailing Pre-entry Assessment wiithin the last 12 months or hold a current Advanced Instructor endorsement certificate
  • Irish Sailing Safety Boat certificate
  • Sport Ireland Safeguarding 1 Child Protection certificate

INSTRUCTING
HOURS
LOGGED

You must have 50 days logged teaching on Irish Sailing SBSS courses, in 2 or more different organisations

PLUS

 

Senior Instructor Course FAQs

How long is the course?

5 days - full attendance required

Who is the Trainer?

Two Irish Sailing Instructor Trainers work on these courses together - listed HERE

How long does the qualification last?

5 years from the end of the course

Where can I work?

In an Irish Sailing SBSS Recognised Training centre / club

How much does it cost?

€330 (@ 29 Oct 2020)

Where are the courses run?

In an Irish Sailing SBSS Recognised Training centres / club that is ADVANCED accredited

How do I book a place?

Bookings are made directly with Irish Sailing (they get listed HERE and can be booked from our shop HERE)

When are the courses run?

There are typically 3 – 4 courses each year,

  • Late Summer
  • Early November
  • March
  • June

What powerboat qualification and experience do I need?

An Irish Sailing Safety Boat certificate

What work will I do?

A Senior Instructor will plan and manage sailing courses in Irish Sailing’s Small Boat Sailing Scheme, including the supervision and development of Instructors

Will this revalidate my existing Instructor qualifications?

 

Attendance and successful completion of this course will revalidate all your SBSS Certificates up to and including Senior Instructor for a further 5 years from the date of completion

If your questions are not answered, please email training@sailing.ie