Instructor Incubator Programme
Oysterhaven Centre in full flow
Instructor incubator programme
In 2020, we launched Year 1 of our Instructor Incubator Programme — a long-term initiative created to nurture the next generation of sailing and watersports instructors. Through this programme, children from refugee and other underprivileged backgrounds receive bursaries to participate in dinghy sailing courses across clubs nationwide. As participants progress on their sailing journey, we continue to support the clubs involved to help these young sailors become an integral part of club life.
Our programme offers far more than sailing instruction. Participants develop lasting friendships and a sense of belonging through shared experiences that often have a transformative impact on their lives.
In 2024, our first graduate successfully completed all required levels of the programme. Since then, he has achieved his Powerboat Level 2 qualification and gained valuable experience as an assistant instructor and part-time safety boat driver at Sligo Yacht Club. He is now actively working toward completing his full instructor qualification, with the goal of becoming fully certified for the 2026 season.
In Leitrim, we supported an early school leaver to pursue a Level 6 qualification in Outdoor Pursuits — an achievement made possible through skills and confidence developed in our programme.
Since its inception, the Instructor Incubator Programme has partnered with clubs and training centres in Dublin, Cork, Mayo, Sligo, Wicklow, and Waterford, and regularly participates in the Irish-language watersports course at Coláiste UISCE in Belmullet.
In 2024 and 2025 alone, we supported more than 200 young people in discovering the joy and challenge of sailing.
Participation in sailing brings powerful mental health benefits. It builds resilience, problem-solving ability, perseverance, teamwork, and leadership — skills that extend far beyond the water. Our project helps young people form meaningful connections with communities they might not otherwise access, opening doors to educational and employment opportunities for both them and their families.
Our goals are to:
Empower young people at risk of discrimination and poverty to realise their full potential through the life lessons sailing provides — resilience, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.
Build resilience and positive mental health among children and youth who have faced trauma, poverty, or discrimination.
Strengthen community ties across Ireland at a time when migration and inclusion are central to our national conversation.
It is truly inspiring to watch our participants advance through their certifications and move closer to becoming qualified instructors. Watch this space — their journeys are only just beginning!
Sponsor a child’s participation
You can help a young person take part in this programme by contributing in part or in full. Every donation, no matter the size, helps support greater integration and youth development in Ireland. Together, we can empower the next generation of sailors and instructors.