Volunteering at BYC
Our mission
Ballyholme Yacht Club has always been run by and cared for by its members. As a members’ club, everything we do; from racing on the water to welcoming newcomers ashore is made possible by the time, energy, and passion of our volunteers. They are the heartbeat of our club, and their contribution is what makes Ballyholme such a special place to be.
Behind every race day, every social event, and every cadet activity there are dedicated members giving their time to make it happen. From organising regattas and maintaining the clubhouse, to coaching on the water and serving behind the bar, our volunteers keep the club running smoothly and ensure every member has the best possible experience.
Whether you’ve been a member for decades or just found your sea legs, there’s a place for you to get involved. You don’t need to be an experienced sailor or have any particular skills just a willingness to pitch in and be part of something bigger. Volunteering is a wonderful way to give something back, deepen your connection to the club, and build friendships that last well beyond the sailing season.
Get Involved
Social
Sailing
Events
Clubhouse
From lively prizegivings to casual get-togethers, our social calendar is what brings the club together off the water. Whether you enjoy organising events, lending a hand in the kitchen, or pulling pints behind the bar, there’s plenty of ways to get involved and help create the warm, welcoming atmosphere Ballyholme is known for.
Every race day runs smoothly thanks to the members who give their time on and off the water. From crewing the rescue boats during winter and summer racing, to managing the battery and pulling together the results, these vital roles keep our racing programme safe, fair, and enjoyable for everyone.
Ballyholme has a proud tradition of hosting some of sailing’s most exciting competitions, including the upcoming Irish Sailing Foundation Youth National Championships this April. If you’d like to be part of making major events like this a success; from the planning stages right through to the final day we’d love to have you on the team.
Our clubhouse and facilities are something we’re all proud of, and keeping them in great shape takes a team effort. Whether it’s helping to organise the boat park, cleaning the slipways, or rolling up your sleeves for general maintenance, your contribution helps ensure every member enjoys a well-kept and welcoming club.
Please contact the office in person or by contacting admin@ballyholme.com for further information and to get involved.
Social
At Ballyholme, our social scene is just as important as what happens on the water. Our social volunteers are the people who make the club feel like a community creating the moments that members look forward to and the memories that keep them coming back year after year.
There are plenty of ways to get involved depending on what suits you. If you enjoy bringing people together, you could help plan and organise our events calendar. If you’re happier getting hands-on, there’s always a need for help in the kitchen preparing food for club events, or volunteering behind the bar on race nights and special occasions.
Volunteering socially is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with fellow members. You’ll get to know faces from across the club, play a direct role in shaping the social life of Ballyholme, and have a lot of fun in the process.
Sailing
Our racing programme whether it’s the brisk winter series or the busy summer season depends entirely on the members who give their time to make it run safely and efficiently. Without this support, racing simply wouldn’t happen.
Sailing volunteers take on a range of important roles. Rescue boat crews are out on the water keeping a watchful eye on racing, ready to assist if needed. Ashore, battery volunteers help manage the start and finish of races, while others take on the task of collating and publishing results so competitors can follow how the series is unfolding.
It’s a brilliantly rewarding way to stay involved in the racing scene even on days when you’re not on the water yourself. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation of how racing is run, build great camaraderie with fellow volunteers, and play an essential role in keeping one of the club’s most important activities going.
Events
Ballyholme has a well-earned reputation for hosting outstanding sailing events, and that reputation is built on the hard work of our events volunteers. If you enjoy the buzz of a big occasion and want to be part of something truly memorable, this is the team for you.
Coming up this April, we will be hosting the Irish Sailing Foundation Youth National Championships one of the most significant events in the Irish youth sailing calendar. Volunteers will be needed across all areas, from on-the-water support and race management, to welcoming visiting sailors and their families and helping things run smoothly on shore.
Getting involved in a major event like this is an incredibly rewarding experience. You’ll be part of a well-organised team, gain behind-the-scenes insight into how top-level events are run, and play a real part in showcasing Ballyholme Yacht Club on a national stage.
Clubhouse
Our clubhouse and facilities are the backbone of everything we do at Ballyholme, and keeping them in great condition is a collective responsibility that we take real pride in. Clubhouse volunteers are the unsung heroes who ensure the club remains a place every member is proud to call their own.
Roles in this area are varied and suit all abilities. Help is needed with keeping the boat park well-organised, maintaining clean and safe slipways, and a range of general maintenance tasks around the club throughout the year. No specialist skills are required just a willingness to get stuck in.
There’s something genuinely satisfying about seeing the direct results of your efforts. Whether it’s a freshly cleared slipway or a tidier boat park, you’ll leave knowing you’ve made a tangible difference to the club that so many of us love.
Irish Sailing Foundation Youth National Championships April 2026
This April, Ballyholme Yacht Club is proud to host the Irish Sailing Foundation Youth National Championships from Thursday 9th to Saturday 12th April 2026. This is one of the most prestigious events in the Irish youth sailing calendar, and hosting it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our club to sailors and families from across the island. To make it the success it deserves to be, we need as many willing hands as possible.
Volunteers are needed across a range of roles throughout the event. On the water, we are looking for members to crew committee boats, playing a key role in the running of racing over the four days. Ashore, help is needed with food preparation and distribution each day, managing the boat park, and assisting with launching and landing as competitors head out and return from racing. There will also be plenty of opportunities for general assistance wherever it’s needed across the event.
Whether you can commit to all four days or just one or two, every bit of help makes a real difference. This is a wonderful chance to be part of a major national event right here at Ballyholme, meet sailors and volunteers from clubs across Ireland, and play your part in what promises to be a brilliant few days of racing.
If you’d like to volunteer for the championships, please get in touch at training@ballyholme.com and let us know your name, which days you’re available, and any roles you’d be particularly interested in. We’d love to have you involved.
