Galway Bay Sailing Club

We race each season from 1st April to 31st October. The racing calendar each year includes between fifty and sixty races made up of series, leagues and regattas. The races are typically ‘round the cans’ on Wednesday nights and April/October and also short inshore courses for the ‘King of the Bay’ series of races which take place on Saturdays starting about 3 hours before high tide. The fleet is divided into two handicap classes and there is also a gradual growth of sport boats that offer one design competition. The standard of competition ranges from new entry level at one end to strong inter-club level at the other. We also have club members who compete nationally and we are very proud of our ‘Ireland West’ team who are consistently top offshore racers and the current Round Ireland title holders.

People usually take part in sport to develop a skill, for the competition it offers, for its social opportunities; or for some combination of all three. In any circumstance, with cruiser racing you will not be disappointed.
Some say that the sailing club is in fact a collection of clubs as each boat in time becomes a little club of its own. The boats need crew and the club promotes sailing. Therefore we all work together to encourage new members. There are a few entry routes to sailing. You may know a current member and tag along. You may choose to do one of the regular courses run in the club throughout the season or you may join the annual ‘introduction to sailing course’ run each year in March/April which offers a taste of sailing and a subvented membership option.

There is also an immediate need for race administrators and officials in the club so if you are an ‘A’ type personality with a preference for ‘blowing the whistle rather than being at the bottom of a scrum’ we would appreciate your commitment.
There is sailing activity of some form or other each day at the club throughout the season and dinghy sailing is core to cruiser racing so whatever your schedule there is always an opportunity to get out on the water. The cruisers come together to race each Wednesday evening from 5.30pm and on selected weekends. The car park is full, the boats are frantic, the club house is bustling and the bar is buzzing after racing.

If you are a sailor and visiting, or new to Galway, you will already know the drill. Bring your gear and we’ll get you out on a J109, 1720, Benny 31.7, Corby, Impala, Shamrock or one of the many other designs campaigned in the club. A look at the results page will give you a feel for what we do. If you wish to keep your boat in Galway please contact the Rear Commodore Cruisers for advice on moorings and local custom and practice.

WIORA events feature high on our priorities. The WIORA Super league comprises 7 events from Sligo to Fenit depending on the year. 2009 also sees the National Championships in Fenit and the Volvo stopover in Galway.

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