We're being transformed from a nation of land lubbers to one of water lovers. But how do you begin to get your sea legs? Davin O'Dwyer takes to the helm
We might be surrounded by seas and oceans, and we might be blessed with extensive inland waterways, yet as a nation we have never truly embraced recreational boating - until now.
With our increased affluence there seems to be an increased interest in taking to the water and enjoying the opportunities afforded by all the water we never knew what to do with. Amenities such as marinas are being developed and expanded, both on the coast and on inland waterways, while boat sales are increasing. We are finally, it seems, being transformed from land lubbers into water lovers.
According to Fáilte Ireland, 25 per cent of domestic holiday trips in the Republic last year involved water-based activities, principally swimming, angling and surfing, but boating is also on the rise. The Irish Sailing Association (ISA), the organisation that promotes boating here, has certainly noticed a greater participation in boating activities, experiencing a 40 per cent increase in membership in the past eight years.
"The marine institute have done a number of surveys on this," says ISA chief executive Harry Hermon, "and the figures they quote are 140,000 people participating in boating activity around the country. The increase is across the board, certainly in the small powerboat market, and also in the larger motor cruiser market. Over the last six years we have experienced a 10 to 15 per cent growth in the number of people participating in ISA-approved instruction courses."
Phil Knowd is general manager and instructor at the Lough Ree Powerboat School, which runs the ISA-approved courses. Based at the Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone, the school offers introductory one-day courses and more advanced two-day courses in powerboating - think of it as an all-in-one driving lesson and test for powerboats.
Perhaps surprisingly, however, there is currently no need for a licence if skippering a private pleasure craft.
"It's definitely becoming more popular, and lots of people just take boats out with no prior experience," says Knowd. "But you wouldn't take a car out without knowing how to drive it. We offer courses designed for a range of experience levels, so you can be confident you know what you're doing when taking a boat out on the water."
The one-day course offers a comprehensive introduction to powerboating, including preparation of the boat, safety procedures, coming alongsides (that's parking to the layman), ropework and the fun part, boat handling. According to the ISA's training scheme, the introductory course is a level 1 course, meaning that upon completion you have boating experience, but you're not yet skipper material. The two-day course (level 2) covers more advanced coming alongsides, boat preparation and maintenance, safety procedures and so on. Essentially, with this certificate, the ISA is giving you its blessing as a skipper.
CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS ARE needed if you want an international certificate of competency (ICC), which allows you to hire large-engined boats abroad. There are different categories or endorsements of ICC, either sail or power, coastal or inland, and these can be applied for after the completion of level 2 (some need additional test papers to be completed).
"The courses are continual assessment, so as I teach the elements, the students will be practising them, and I'll be seeing if they get it," says Knowd. "As we practise the coming alongsides, they have to get it, and I expect them to be able to do it later in the course as well. The pass rate is about 90-95 per cent, but there are some elements that people find tricky. For the few people who don't pass first time, I'd recommend that they get some more experience in areas they find difficult, and then they can come back free of charge and we can evaluate them in those areas. It's a good confidence booster when they know they've earned it."
The day is a good, structured way of becoming acquainted with a pastime that can appear daunting to a novice. And while whizzing around Lough Ree on a rigid inflatable boat (rib) might look like a blast, it's a lot more than a fun day on the water: Knowd's easy-going demeanour doesn't mean he's not a serious teacher. The fundamental theories of boat handling are explained as well as the practicalities such as water currents, wind speed, the difference between planing and displacement, tilt and trim. By the end of the day, you'll not only know that tilting the engine when planing means more receptive steering, but why this happens.
"We're not looking for Michael Schumachers in boats, just competence," says Knowd. "When you're learning to parallel park, you might not get it first time, but neither will you be banging into cars. After the introductory course, that's what you'll feel like. The more you know this stuff, the more enjoyable the day is. You sometimes see the parents on a boat screaming at the kids to get the ropes ready and so on, and it takes the enjoyment out of the day. The more prepared and comfortable you are with the boat, the more relaxed everybody can be."
The Lough Ree Powerboat School is not the only company noticing an increased native interest in boating. Emerald Star, the boat hire company founded 37 years ago by Guinness, has seen a marked change in its customer base in the last few years.
'FOR A LONG time, the bulk of the clientele were Germans or Italians, but now 70 per cent of Emerald Star's customers are Irish," says Mary McGovern, PR manager for the company. "In the last year, there has been a big increase in the number of first-timers, rather than experienced boaters. In Europe, they are really big into boating, they love barging, while in Ireland there is a different type of client, with lots of office groups and staff incentive weekends.
"Group bookings are very, very popular. It's something a bit different, it's becoming an alternative to city break weekends. We're also seeing more families with younger children take the boats, which we never used to see before. And it's always popular for fishing - you can get a fishing licence at any of the bases for only €7."
Boasting a new fleet of 220 luxury cruisers, Emerald Star is based in Portumna, Belturbet and Carrick-on-Shannon.
"You don't need any experience to rent the boats out, but the minute you arrive you get a training course, you're shown a video, trainers go through everything with you, then they come on board with you and show you everything again. There's about two hours of training altogether."
McGovern sums up the appeal of boating: "It sounds corny, but it's so relaxing. When you're out in the boats, after the second day, you really do slow down. The silence; you're moving slowly, you do switch off. If you're busy and you need a break, it's a perfect way to unwind."
It seems that as our lives speed up, more of us are looking to the water to find ways of slowing down.
Lough Ree Powerboat School www.powerboat.org 1890-704090
Emerald Star www.emeraldstar.ie 071-9627633