Galway Bay Sailing Club

Irish Sailing Dinghy Sailing Pre Entry Assessment

Notes for candidates taking an Irish Sailing Dinghy Instructor Pre-entry Assessment

The pre entry assessment comes in three parts:

• 1. On the water assessment
• 2. Knots assessment
• 3. Written paper (can be completed orally if required – sample papers here)

The assessment is a pass or fail, and serves only one purpose: to make sure that you have the skills and

knowledge to attend a sailing instructor course.

If you pass, the assessor may point out some areas that you should brush up on for the instructor course

you plan on attending.

If you fail you should look at this as an opportunity to improve on the areas of your sailing skills/knowledge

that require some work before you can attend an instructor course.

What to do before attending a pre entry assessment

• 1. Practice all of the skills (practical assessment) in a double hander, as crew as and as helm.
• 2. Study for the written / oral assessment. There are 3 ISA pre entry exam papers and these are
• available here. You will be given one of these three during the assessment.
• 3. Know what the weather is doing before, during and after the assessment
• 4. If you are not sure ask (the assessor is there to pass people that have the skills and knowledge to become instructors)

What next (after the pre entry)

Make sure you have all of the pre requisites to attend an instructor course -

• 1. Pre entry certificate (pass).
• 2. Age 16.5 years of age to attend a course.
• 3. Irish Sailing National powerboat certificate (NPC) endorsed for tiller and console.
• 4. 20 hours of powerboat experience logged after completing National Powerboat Cert.
• 5. Current first aid certificate (8 hours minimum course duration covering CPR and hypothermia.
• 6. Irish Sailing Garda vetting
• 7. Sport Ireland Safeguarding 1

Irish Sailing Dinghy Sailing Pre Entry Assessment

An overview of the assessment

It takes a full day to complete the assessment.

There is a briefing in the morning to run through the assessment and answer any questions you may have.

You will be asked about the current weather and tide conditions; what is expected, what is happening, any

change that might occur, why this is happening (e.g. low/high pressure, sea breeze, front etc.).

Depending on weather/ tide, the water based part is normally the first part of the assessment.

Helpful hints:

Remember the assessor is there to pass people and will give you every opportunity to show that you have

the skills and knowledge necessary to become an ISA Instructor.

1. If something is unclear at any point ask for clarification.

2. Be honest with yourself and the assessor.

Program (example)

am

• Briefing followed by 2-4 hours On The Water Assessment
• Get changed have lunch

pm

• 1 hour written paper (Use the sample ISA pre entry papers to prepare)
• You will have some oral questions on tuning, weather and anything that is unclear from your paper
• De brief: 5-10 minute individual debrief with the assessor where you will receive your pre entry
• certificate.

On The Water Assessment Skills Assessed (full breakdown on pages 3-12)

• 1. Rigging
• 2. Launch and Recover
• 3. Follow the Leader
• 4. Sail a Triangle
• 5. Rudderless
• 6. Manoeuvres
• 7. Coming Along Side
• 8. Picking Up A Mooring
• 9. Man Over Board
• 10. Tight Circles
• 11. Capsize