Watersports Pre-Instructor
Summer Camp

14 - 17 years olds

Click on the first day of camp to book (Tuesday)

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Learn how to become a watersports instructor

Click on the first day of camp to book


Our Summer Camp is a multi-activity watersports camp that is challenging and exciting for kids and teens aged 8-16 years.

What is it the camp about

Draw on the knowledge of our experienced instructors and learn the skills that will help you on the path to becoming a watersports instructor. This week is all about deepening your knowledge of our key sports: SUP, kayaking and sailing with a focus on what it takes to become an instructor.

Why become a watersports instructor:

A qualification as a watersports instructor offers many rewarding elements such as the opportunity to share a passion for your chosen sport with others, introducing them to the thrill of exploring and navigating on the water.

Instructors find fulfilment in teaching and mentoring, witnessing the growth of their students as they develop newfound skills and confidence on their craft.

A watersports instructor qualification also opens a gateway to employment both here and abroad. Many of the job opportunities are seasonal fitting perfectly around school and college commitments. Irish qualifications are recognised internationally meaning that when travelling abroad finding a job is made easier.

What do you do on the camp:

Participants will spend plenty of time on the water with our 3 key activities: sailing, paddleboarding and kayaking. Learning more about each sport, how sessions are structured and how to start the instructor pathway in each sport. There will be ample opportunity to talk to our senior instructors to explore whether working in watersports is for them with lots of tips and advice on how to start.

Who is it for:

This camp is for teenagers aged 14 to 17 years old to find out whether they want to become watersports instructors and for those that already have that as their aim it is a great opportunity to gain more experience on the water. No need to have done our summer camp before, anyone with an interest in the subject can join.

Here at Surfdock we often employ previous camp participants as instructors once they are old enough. We offer a rewarding summer job in the outdoors, working with children and adults with sociable hours in a supportive environment.

Dates:

Tuesday 3rd to Friday 6th June 1pm to 4pm each day

Cost:

Half-day:
€156 per person
Discounts for multiple participants available and applied automatically.

€20 for wetsuit rental if required

Kayaking

Paddle Boarding

Sailing

Lots of fun

FAQs

Yes, all participants have to sign a waiver before they can go on a session with us. This is attached to your booking confirmation and can be easily filled in online and shared with other people (if applicable). The text of the waiver can be found here.

This year we will have separate outdoor changing areas for boys and girls. They don’t offer 100% visual cover so we are asking you to treat a trip to us like a trip to the beach and be prepared with a big towel or changing robe. If possible, we would ask that children arrive to camp already changed into their wetsuits. 

Our toilets are open as usual. 

The children’s bags are in a communal locker while they are out on the water. This is closed, but we advise against bringing valuables to the camp as we cannot take liability for lost, damaged or stolen items.

You are welcome to pull in on the cobblestone area right outside the camp for drop off and pick up. Please be mindful of other drivers and pedestrians.

A booking fee of €10 is non-refundable in all instances. All cancellations made by the customer must be made in writing and submitted via email or post. In the event of a cancellation or a request to reschedule more than 14 days (for Easter and Summer Camp bookings) before a session commences, we will refund the amount paid to date minus the non-refundable booking fee of €5. In the event of cancellation/rescheduling less than 14 days (for Easter and Summer Camp bookings) before a session commences the amount paid to date is forfeited. Non-attendance will result in the entire amount paid to date to be forfeited. Please see the full terms and conditions for activity bookings here.

We are located a 10 minute walk from the Grand Canal Dock DART station and a 10-15 minute walk from The Point LUAS stop. Bus routes that stop close by on Ringsend Road are 1, 15a, 15b, 15d, 47, 56a and 77a.

The Grand Canal Dock is a sheltered and enclosed space, which means our sessions can go ahead in most conditions unless it is not safe to do so for example if there are very strong winds. Rain does not stop us from running a session. In the rare case that we need to cancel or postpone a session, we will offer you a full refund or to reschedule the session.