History of Cove Sailing Club
In the early years of the nineteenth century, yachting in Cork Harbour was the exclusive privilege of the Royal Cork Yacht Club which raced in Cobh. Many of the visiting yachts picked up their crews from the locals of the town. An acknowledgement that there was a need for a smaller type of yacht, one designed with local requirements and conditions in mind, saw the creation of what became known as the “Cork Harbour One Design”, designed by Fife in Scotland. Twelve boats in all were built, eight in Carrigaloe, Cobh, three in Passage West and one in Baltimore, West Cork. The emergence of this class of boat reinforced the need for a sailing club for local enthusiasts who did not have the social status and financial resources to attain membership of the Royal Cork Yacht Club. In 1904, some enthusiasts formed a club which was simply known as “The Sailing Club” to distinguish itself from the Royal Cork Yacht Club. In 1919 this club formally became known as Cove Sailing Club. In the 1930′s the East Beach Corinthians Sailing Club was formed and catered for those with more modest boats. This club went from strength to strength until the outbreak of World War II depleted the membership of the club to the extent that it merged with Cove Sailing Club in 1948.
Cove Sailing Club Today
Until 2009 Cove Sailing Club (CSC) had not had a storage facility or club-house of their own and this had impacted on the growth of the club down the years. Most club members keep their boats at the East Ferry marina although given the increased demand for berths an increasing number are kept on swing moorings around Cork Harbour. CSC run regular races for classes 4, 3 & 2 as well as the whitesail fleet. They race on Friday nights from May-August and Sundays in May and September. CSC also host several larger events – Cobh Peoples Regatta, Cove @ Home etc, The Marlogue Trophy and the Cobh/Blackrock race – which was nominated a city of culture event in 2005 and is one of the oldest yacht races in Ireland still run each year. These are all “open” events and CSC will run classes to suit as many entrants as wish to participate. Further details of the main sailing events that the Club organise each year are detailed below.
The lack of a clubhouse has meant that the activities of CSC members have always been focused on competitive sailing (albeit on a social/friendly basis), providing plenty of opportunities for anyone interested, especially junior members, to sail and race.
In 2009, with support from a Sports Council grant, Cobh Town Council and Cobh VEC, CSC opened a dinghy park at Whitepoint, Cobh, to provide boats, equipment, changing facilities and coaching primarily aimed at local children who wanted to learn to sail as members of CSC. This initiative has been very successful in encouraging more people to try sailing and has succeeded in increasing the membership of the club. To date, CSC has experienced an increase in Junior membership of well over 100 and overall club membership has doubled.
CSC General Committee – 2013
| Name | Title |
| Derry Allister | Commodore |
| Dave Doyle | Rear Commodore |
| Adrian Tyler | Club Secretary/Vice Commodore |
| Marina Stoat | Treasurer |
| Brendan Ryan | Sailing Secretary |
| Pat Bruton | Dinghy Park Principle |
| Liam Allister | SCORA Liaison |
| Michelle Gray-Mooney | Membership/PRO |
| Jason Losty | Committee Member |
Future Plans
The club is currently in the process of finalising a development plan to take us forward over the next five years. As a family orientated club with support from other local organizations and small businesses, there is an opportunity to promote and encourage sailing as an activity which is accessible to anyone. This was part of our original constitution back in 1919, which states “the objects of the club shall be the promotion of sailing and the encouragement of sailing and boating activity, and the social association among its members. Whilst at the same time we want to encourage a younger membership and help the club to grow by offering a greater range of facilities and services both to its members and to the local community.
Over the next few years sailing generally, and in Cork Harbour especially will see a huge amount of focus. In 2010 the round the world clipper fleet arrived in Cork Harbour and Kinsale. (Cork COCo and Failte Ireland sponsored one of the boats in the fleet). With the London Olympics in 2012 there will be an opportunity to further promote the sport of sailing as the UK and Ireland look to build on their success in previous Olympics. 2012 will also see the Commemoration of the loss of the Titanic, which will invariably further enhance Cobh’s national and international profile and provide further opportunities to promote the marine leisure potential of Cork Harbour.
Major local events such as Cork Week, the Sovereigns and Calves Week continue to attract large numbers of visitors and high quality racing fleets, and with them come commercial opportunities to develop marine leisure in the Cork region. Cove SC sees Cork Harbour as the optimum location for providing high quality and affordable training and coaching facilities. As well as offering top quality coastal racing opportunities for the more competitive cruiser/racers within Cork Harbour we can cater for the more social whitesail racing which is also growing hugely in popularity as well safely train beginners in the more sheltered areas of the Harbour.
Current Program of Sailing Events offered by Cove SC (See current sailing schedule for more details)
Titanic Trophy Race
Cruiser/racers. Annual race to kick off Cove SC season. Beautiful bronze replica of Titanic donated to the Club by Vincent Keaney is presented to the winner of this “All-in Echo” race.
May League
Cruiser/racers. Sunday afternoon racing marks the start of CSC season. Class 2, 3 and whites. Incorporates the Marlogue Trophy race (all in IRC/Echo).
Friday Night League
Cruiser/racers. Whites and Kites racing in and around Cork Harbour. Runs throughout May-August.
Cove at Home
Dinghies and cruiser/racers weekend action.
Cobh Peoples Regatta
Dinghies and Cruiser/racers. One of Europe’s oldest regattas. Sailing together with other water based activities form the major part of this annual Cobh festival. Class 1,2,3,4/traditional & Whites.
East Ferry Cup
Dinghies (all classes). Annual race from Cobh to East Ferry.
Ballinacurra Cup
Dinghies (all classes). Annual race from Cobh around the cans finish in Ballinacurra.
Brooklands Cup
Dinghies (all classes). Annual race in Cork Harbour.
Lusitania Coastal Race
Cruiser/racers. All in IRC/ECHO and Whitesail. New annual race introduced this year to meet the growing demand (and abilities) of our members for a longer, more challenging coastal race.
September League
Cruiser/racers. All classes. Incorporates the Cobh/Blackrock race which is one of the oldest yacht races still run each year and was named as a City of Culture Event during 2005 when Cork held the title as European City of Culture.
In addition to the sailing program, the club runs dinghy training on Saturdays and dinghy racing on Wednesday evenings. The club holds regular social events for our members from popular monthly prize giving events and quiz nights through to talks and safety demonstrations from RNLI etc. In November the Club hosts the well attended Laying Up Supper – a dinner dance to mark the end of the sailing calendar.
Club Policies and Codes of Conduct
Statement Of Safety Policy
Cove Sailing Club in providing and promoting sailing activities and facilities, is committed to ensuring and encouraging a safe and healthy environment for its members and visitors. Risk assessment will be evaluated on a continuous basis in all areas and activities. The clubs Commodore, Safety Officer, Committee and working members are committed to maintaining a high standard of safety awareness through reasonable and practical steps. The club is aware of its reasonability in meeting the standards of the Health and Safety act. The club expects Supervisors and members to be fully aware of its Safety policies, and show a reasonable and positive attitude towards Health and Safety at all times.
Codes of Conduct
Club Policy
Cove Sailing Club expects it’s Committee, members, volunteers and all other personnel involved with or participating in club activities to behave in a manner which will allow others to be safe and enjoy sailing and boating activities within and associated with the Club. Supervisors and instructors will have a clearly defined set of standards and procedures in the event of person’s behavior becoming an issue.
| Supervisors and instructors |
| Supervisors and instructors should be aware that their own conduct and behavior should be mature, reasonable and appropriate at all times. They should always be alert to any unfair or inappropriate behavior that would be unsafe or affect the enjoyment of personnel under their control. They should be familiar with Club procedures in dealing with a persons behavior becoming an issue. |
| Staff and volunteers |
| Any personnel working for or on behalf of the club whether full time or voluntarily should always behave in such a manner that encourages a safe and enjoyable environment for others. |
Working With Children
Cove Sailing Club will endeavor to ensure a safe and healthy environment for children involved in boating and activities within the club. The club will ensure Committee members, Junior organizers, instructors and all personnel working with children are aware and informed of the ISA guidelines of code of conduct for working with children. Cove Sailing Club is aware of its responsibilities in adhering to the ISA guidelines and the Irish sports Councils Codes of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sports in Ireland.
People working with Juniors
The club will ensure that personnel Supervising or involved with Juniors are known and approved by the Club and are aware of these guidelines.
Staff & volunteers should be aware of section 4.2 of Code of Ethics.
Parents & Guardians are encouraged to support and interact with Junior Organizers / Instructors during Junior Sailing activities.
Juniors should be encouraged & be aware that they have reasonability’s to show respect and treat other children, supervisors and instructors with mutual respect as per section 4.4.1 of Code of Ethics
CSC Membership forms for 2013
CSC Membership runs from 1 Jan – 31 Dec annually. New members are always welcome and if you would like to know more about Cove Sailing Club and/or how to join please email us at info@covesailing.ie.
Existing members should submit their completed 2013 forms together with payment as soon as possible. Please provide all details requested on the form especially in the case of family membership where the club requires all the names to be included in your membership.
Please send completed forms and cheques to : the Treasurer, Cove Sailing Club, PO Box 12, Cobh.
If you must pay by cash please pay in person to a Cove SC Committee member only.
Download the latest membership forms by clicking on the links below:
