Beginners, Day Skipper & Yacht Master Voyages
BEGINNERS
DAY SKIPPER
YACHTMASTER
VOYAGES
O Captain! My Captain!
David O’Connor (The man with the plan!)
I grew up sailing in Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo, on the wild northwest coast of Ireland and like many mariners, I had family who loved the sea. I sailed before I crawled. My first spin out on the Atlantic Ocean was at the tender age of 4 months, on a cutter-rigged converted lifeboat called “Manora”. I had a few uncles who lied to my mum, their sister, about how safe the activities I was undertaking were! At age 6, I was promoted to skipper of an 8ft plastic dinghy in Mullaghmore harbour, but it was on a family holiday to the Caribbean that I was switched on to the buzz. After a pleasant day sailing with the family when everyone went ashore, I was dragged out with the uncles again, in a freshening breeze on the Sparkman & Stephens 28 “Sirius”. She was on the breeze & fully heeled over. I was sitting up on the side hanging on…and grinning, so this is the game!
I didn’t sail much as a teenager and being a farm boy, I never felt like I’d fit in at a sailing club doing courses. It wasn’t until I travelled halfway round the world that the little voice in my head kept nagging me to get back in a boat and though my career first led me to work with many media and technology companies in Ireland, but it wasn’t long until the sea called me back!
I began racing yachts in New Zealand where I worked for an America’s Cup tourism venture. I was very lucky to sail every day with an ex-Volvo Ocean Race watch-leader on a 76 foot bullet! I was taught so much so quickly that this job inspired me to pass on what I have learned.
After many trans-oceanic voyages in the Atlantic and Pacific, I spent 2 years in the Offshore Seismic Exploration Industry in Asia. Here I received a different schooling from the finest fishing skippers of New Zealand and South Africa in some of the world’s most remote locations.
I look back at my story and I realise Wild West Sailing was inevitable, and I am delighted to be back in the West of Ireland doing what I love, sharing my skills, my experience and my passion with you.
Got a question?
Call David today +353 87 141 7564
O Captain! My Captain!
David O’Connor (The man with the plan!)
I grew up sailing in Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo, on the wild northwest coast of Ireland and like many mariners, I had family who loved the sea. I sailed before I crawled. My first spin out on the Atlantic Ocean was at the tender age of 4 months, on a cutter-rigged converted lifeboat called “Manora”. I had a few uncles who lied to my mum, their sister, about how safe the activities I was undertaking were! At age 6, I was promoted to skipper of an 8ft plastic dinghy in Mullaghmore harbour, but it was on a family holiday to the Caribbean that I was switched on to the buzz. After a pleasant day sailing with the family when everyone went ashore, I was dragged out with the uncles again, in a freshening breeze on the Sparkman & Stephens 28 “Sirius”. She was on the breeze & fully heeled over. I was sitting up on the side hanging on…and grinning, so this is the game!
I didn’t sail much as a teenager and being a farm boy, I never felt like I’d fit in at a sailing club doing courses. It wasn’t until I travelled halfway round the world that the little voice in my head kept nagging me to get back in a boat and though my career first led me to work with many media and technology companies in Ireland, but it wasn’t long until the sea called me back!
I began racing yachts in New Zealand where I worked for an America’s Cup tourism venture. I was very lucky to sail every day with an ex-Volvo Ocean Race watch-leader on a 76 foot bullet! I was taught so much so quickly that this job inspired me to pass on what I have learned.
After many trans-oceanic voyages in the Atlantic and Pacific, I spent 2 years in the Offshore Seismic Exploration Industry in Asia. Here I received a different schooling from the finest fishing skippers of New Zealand and South Africa in some of the world’s most remote locations.
I look back at my story and I realise Wild West Sailing was inevitable, and I am delighted to be back in the West of Ireland doing what I love, sharing my skills, my experience and my passion with you.
Got a question?
Call David today +353 87 141 7564
Can’t recommend Dave at Wild West Sailing enough. The quality of the Day Skipper Courses, Yachts & Instruction are 2nd to none. Already booked in for my next trip and working towards a Yachtmaster in the next year.
Can’t recommend Dave at Wild West Sailing enough. The quality of the Day Skipper Courses, Yachts & Instruction are 2nd to none. Already booked in for my next trip and working towards a Yachtmaster in the next year.
Jonathan Curran, Galway, Ireland. (Coastal Skipper)
Jonathan Curran, Galway, Ireland. (Coastal Skipper)
Wild West Sailing.
Expert Sailing Training Ireland.
Open up the world of sailing to someone you love with a Wild West Sailing gift voucher. Send a virtual gift voucher today or schedule it for delivery on a date of your choice.
Open up the world of sailing to someone you love with a Wild West Sailing gift voucher. Send a virtual gift voucher today or schedule it for delivery on a date of your choice.
Wild West Sailing – Irish Sailing Training Centre of the Year 2020
Delighted with our huge win for the West at the Irish Sailing Awards!!! We couldn’t have made it without the support of the clubs & sailors in the region. MASSIVE THANKS to the instructors, skippers & sailors who came to have fun & learn with us so far… See you on the water next season!!!!
