ABOUT THE OYSTERHAVEN CENTRE

 

There’s something special about Oysterhaven - the beauty of the location, the sheer fun of the activities, the friendliness of the staff, the quality of the training - all combining to produce an intangible atmosphere that people return for year after year and refer to as “The Spirit of Oysterhaven”.

 

The Centre was established nearly thirty years ago by its current owners, Oliver and Kate. Operating out of the then derelict cottage beside the beach, (Strand Cottage) with just half a dozen boards, Oliver and Kate established Oysterhaven as Ireland’s first windsurfing centre in 1981.

 

As Ireland’s first National Windsurfing Trainer Oliver was at the forefront of training watersports Instructors and was instrumental in developing the groundbreaking syllabus for the Irish Sailing Association’s “Go! Windsurfing” scheme.  Learning through fun and coaching through positive reinforcement are key features of this scheme and characterise the approach taken by our instructors in all our courses at Oysterhaven:  fun, safe and learning through experience.

 

Oysterhaven still remains very much a family run business, with both of Oliver and Kate’s grown up children, Alexander and Emma, instructing at the Centre during the summer months. Over the years as Oysterhaven has grown, so too has the number of staff and it is the friendliness, enthusiasm and professionalism of the team, led by Centre Manager Sinead Hurley that makes the Oysterhaven experience one worth returning for.