Booking Instructions
Please add all the training dates you can attend to your cart. We require you to attened a minimum number of 6 trainings over Autumn
Once all your dates are added with participant and guardian details please click proceed to checkout.
If you have any questions or any trouble booking please give the office a call - 0214770738
The Panel Programme is a training programme that develops both physical skills and important soft skills. Panel members receive instructor-led training across a range of watersports, including kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and SUPing. We encourage participants to experience all of the different watersports on offer, giving them the opportunity to discover which discipline best suits their interests and abilities.
Over time, it will usually become clear that one particular sport is the best fit for each panel member. In their second year, participants then have the opportunity to focus their development more closely, honing their skills in either sailing or windsurfing.
Throughout the programme, we aim to reflect and promote the distinctive culture and ethos of Oysterhaven: taking a fun, friendly and supportive approach while maintaining a strong commitment to professionalism and delivering training to the highest possible standards.
The Panel Programme is therefore about more than developing watersports skills. It is about building confidence, teamwork, responsibility and leadership, while giving young people the opportunity to grow within the unique culture of Oysterhaven.
During our busy summer months each panel member is asked to complete 3 weeks (some do more!) of work experience where they will help and assist a qualified instructor on our summer camp groups ranging from age 4 to 17. This is great exposure for our panel members as they can learn while observing the instructor on session.
The training and work experience of panel then often leads to an Irish Sailing Instructor Qualifications. Which once you are fully qualified brings employment oppurtunities in Oysterhaven and in other centres at home and abroad. For some, it may even be the start of a career in sports or the outdoors.
The best aspect of panel is while you are having all this fun out on the water, you don't realise how much you are learning! Through training and work-experience, panel members gain self-confidence, public-speaking skills, they learn responsibility, time-management skills, adaptability and lots more! Skills like these will stand to our panel members as they go on to progress through education and also into their future careers.
While you are down on work experience over the summer, you have free access to rental of the kit (kayaks, dinghies, windsurfers, SUPs), this is a great way for you to practice and keep your skill level up over the summer. If you are not down on work-experience you still have access to kit-hire at a super reduced price of €5!