The Fair Winds Project
Building Confidence to Learn
The Metal Mariners & Wild West Sailing believe in sailing as a FUN developmental tool for young people. Active teaching is effective teaching and this approach is at the heart of its success.
Physical Education is now a Leaving Certificate option. Sailing is on the syllabus. This new learning experience for young people will surpass all expectation in the schools in the Northwest.
The Fair Winds Sailing Project will enable candidates to develop:

Fair Winds Lough Gill Sailing Program

Wild West Sailing has an outstanding record of safety and wide experience of working with students of all abilities and needs.
The J24 is the most popular racing yacht in the northwest of Ireland. The Metal Mariners will support students who would like to sail these boats after Fair Winds.
Each participant will sail a modern high performance yacht along the west coast of Ireland, applying new skills as part of the team as they skipper for part of the trip.
Training pathways to gain further marine qualifications will be explained to students.
Sailing Fosters Positive Change
Top 9 Health Benefits of Sailing

Wild West Sailing
Based in Sligo, on the rugged Wild Atlantic Way
Wild West Sailing is Ireland’s newest sailing and powerboat school. Established in 2016 by Sligo native David O’Connor, Wild West Sailing specialises in adventures and training, with sailing voyages for education, challenge and pleasure.
Wild West Sailing works extensively with vulnerable youth groups through the Safehaven and Sailing into Wellness projects.
The Wild West Sailing team just completed the Volvo Round Ireland Race, raising money for the Northwest Hospice along the way.
David O’Connor (Chief Instructor & Principal)
David grew up sailing in Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo, but his career first led him to work with many media and technology companies in Ireland. He began racing yachts in New Zealand and became a professional sailor there, an experience which inspired him to pass on what he has learned. After many trans-oceanic voyages in the Atlantic and Pacific, David spent two years in the Offshore Seismic Exploration Industry in Asia.
Two years ago, Wild West Sailing was born and David is delighted to be back in Sligo doing what he loves, sharing his skills, experience and passion.

The Fair Winds Project is a really exciting initiative and one that I enthusiastically support. Having been lucky enough to experience water based activities on both the sea and lakes in the North West for most of my life it is terrific to see more young people being given the opportunity to access the amazing resource we have literally on our doorstep and learning sailing skills which will remain with them for life.
