Start Sailing Keelboat 1

Everyone’s gotta start somewhere!

Experience:

Beginner

Duration:

1 Full Day or 2× 3hr Evening
Sessions (June & July)

Cost:

€100 (Special Intro Price)

Syllabus & Certificate:

Start Sailing Syllabus | Irish Sailing

No experience? No problem!

Picture this: you, sailing like a pro under the shadow of Ben Bulben and the Ox Mountains, soaking up the views while soaking nothing else—because J24 yachts do not capsize, and you’re staying dry. With an instructor on board coaching you, you’ll be laughing, learning, and nailing the basics in no time. Get ready for smooth sailing and the craic of a lifetime —it’s the BEST way to Start Sailing!

What am I aiming for?

Work towards the Irish Sailing Start Sailing Certificate. Get your Certificate!

Book Now
View Syllabus

Our Locations

Where is it?

WWS Lake Base

6HV4+78M Ballymore Upper, County Sligo

Get Directions

Mullaghmore

8C3J+WG3 Oyster Island, County Sligo

Get Directions

Rosses Point

FH83+4P9 Mullaghmore, County Sligo

Get Directions

(VENUE WEATHER DEPENDENT)

Our Schedule

When is it?

Full-day session

Weekends (March–September)

2 × evening sessions

Mid-Summer (June–July)

Book Now
Equipment List
1 Day Start Sailing Website Pix (2) 1
1 Day Start Sailing Website Pix (2) 1

Skills You’ll Learn

Sailing & Steering

Take the helm and feel in control

Sail Setting & Trimming

Adjust sails for speed and efficiency

Wind Awareness
& Points-of-Sail

Understand how wind direction affects sailing

Basic Ropework

Learn essential knots and line handling

What People Are Saying

  • Excellent quality, 2nd to none

    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 (Coastal Skipper)

    March | 2025

  • Couldn’t recommend highly enough.

    Lovely Boat, Great Instructor And An Incredible Place To Sail Off Ireland’s Beautifully Rugged West Coast. A Day Trip To Sligo’s Innismurray Island In Summer With Wild West Sailing Is Unforgettable, And Sailing There As Part Of A Crew Was A Great Experience. Dave Has A Wealth Of Knowledge, Yet Is Patient In Training Others. He Knows How To Put People At Ease, While Also Pushing Them To Achieve More.

    Sophie Skinner

    March | 2025

  • A great experience!

    Great experience and awesome instructor with many years of sailing experience! Thanks Dave for the perfect week sailing on the west coast of Ireland. We will come back for sure and do the day skipper course with you. I highly recommend this experience for everyone who is serious about sailing.

    Eike Willner

    March | 2025

  • WWS continue to exceed expectations!

    Highly recommend Wild West Sailing having done both Day skipper theory and practical courses with them this year. David and Nigel provided expert, friendly tuition and were super patient. Will be back for my Yachtmaster next year.

    Damien Duggan

    March | 2025

  • A true bucket-list experience!!

    Round Ireland September 2023. Exceptional!! I will remember this experience for the rest of my days! Big seas, calm seas, lots of wind, no wind, amazing islands, pristine coastlines, basking shark, bioluminescence and dolphins swimming in it in the pitch dark, the Skelligs at night, starry skies, shooting stars under full sails, tidal gates, tuskar rock, the fastnet, we saw it all!

    John Mc Donald

    March | 2025

What’s Next?

Keep the momentum going!

After completing Keelboat 1, advance to our 2-Day Sailing Skills Course to further develop your confidence and technique.

Discover More
Back to Top