Academy

Water Skills Academy for Teenagers

The first step in adventure sports for teenagers in Cork, Ireland. Get a taste for a new activity, or begin your journey towards becoming an Outdoor Education Instructor

What is it?

The Water Skills Academy is our Instructor Developer program at Gecko Adventures. It is a dedicated program we have proudly put together to engage teenagers (13-17) with adventure sports and give them access to training at a high level in order to fully engage with the sports and, if desired, go on to become adventure sports instructors.

The program is split into two phases, Summer Academy and Winter Academy.

We also have our Sailing Academy program which runs alongside the regular winter academy, but focuses on sailing and powerboating and moving towards dinghy instructor certification. This program is outlined in detail below.

Summer Academy

Summer Academy is a 5 day Summer course running Monday to Friday and introducing new students to the sports and skills. New students will receive a logbook and go through the skill lvels learning various skills throughout the week as well as taking on various roles and responsibilities such as weather forecasting, safety and leadership.

Once complete, students are eligible to join the Winter Academy program.

Students who have completed the 5 day program may also participate in Academy Sunday Sessions which continue to run on Sundays throughout the Summer to continue building on those skills, if desired.

transition year student outdoors kayaking

learning to sail in courtmacsherry west cork

Wave surfing on stand up paddleboard at a West Cork beach in Ireland

Winter Academy

Duration: 6 Months (Sep-Oct-Nov & Mar-Apr-May)

Schedule: 2025/26: First year program runs on Saturdays, plus 2 weekend/multiday trips (one in Autumn, one in Spring) Second Year program runs on Sundays.

Cost: €1350 (Can be paid in installments) or €1200 not including whitewater PFD advanced buoyancy aid (retails at €206)

Location: Gecko Adventures, Courtmacsherry, as well as beaches and river trips on the winter program. Some trips may require transportation.

Booking: There are 12 spaces available, contact us to reserve a space and pay a deposit (€100).

Overview:

The winter academy program is our instructor developer program designed to guide teenage participants towards excelling in water sports (primarily windsurfing and kayaking, as well as a taste of SUP, surfing, sailing and powerboating) while developing skills in water safety and rescue, weather and tide reading and application, knots and ropework, and other practical and theoretical skills such as expedition planning, self-confidence, communication, teamwork, water confidence, leadership, risk assessing, self & group management, problem solving, and adaptability.

Learning objectives/goals:

These are the learning outcomes the group will work towards achieving throughout the program. They may vary according to weather and tide conditions, group preference and ability.

Year One

Level 1 and 2 canoeing Ireland skills award
Level 3 white water river skills training (including river trips)
River safety and rescue level 1
Windsurf skills training (Irish Sailing Get Up and Go)
Irish Sailing skills training (and certification for participants who have reached the levels)
Introduction to surfing
SUP level 1 skills certificate
Understanding of weather systems, how to interpret weather charts and forecasts and apply them to on the water sessions and safety
Understanding of tides, their application in different areas

Year Two

Level 3 white water river skills training and assessment (For participants who have reached the levels)
River safety and rescue level 2
Windsurf advanced skills development
National Powerboat Award (Age 16+)
REC 3 First Aid Certificate (may cost extra)
Irish Sailing skills training (and certification for participants who have reached the level)

Prerequisites / requirements

Candidates should begin with the Summer Academy program or have similar experience
Candidates must demonstrate a desire to learn and progress in the sports, and work together as part of a group.
Age 14+
Training in adventure sports requires a certain level of personal responsibility coupled with an ability to develop skills and techniques in self rescue and group rescue in order to support the safety of all group members as they progress to more challenging environments.
Personal equipment
- Outdoor rain/weather gear for all conditions
- Booties or appropriate footwear
- Wetsuit is desired but can be provided
- Watch and whistle
- Notebook

Included

All training days (Weekly Saturday/Sundays for first year/second year plus two overnight trips of at least 2 days and one night, hostel price is not included)
River Kayak PFD Rescue Buoyancy aid (if selected)
Standard multisport buoyancy aid
2 week Summer work experience
Softshell Gecko Academy Jacket
Dry bag

Pay As You Go Option

Pay as you go is subject to availability, and places for the full 6-month program will be prioritized
€60 per day
Gear/equipment not included

Instructor Training

As participants progress through the levels we arrange instructor training courses so they can become qualified instructors, opening up exciting job and career opportunities around Ireland and the world. Almost half of our current staff came up through our instructor program, which we are incredibly proud of.

As well as becoming proficient at these exciting sports, participants will also learn self development skills such as how to work on a team, assume a leadership role and take responsibly for planning safety and rescue for themselves and others.

They will learn self awareness, group awareness and will be trained to develop their own skills, ability and knowledge through guided self reflection.

Being placed in leadership roles also helps youths develop self confidence and communication skills as well as self management and problem solving abilities.

Download Academy registration form:

Kayaking

Academy Kayaking begins with the Canoeing Ireland level 1 and 2 skills courses, before progressing on to river trips, kayak surfing, River Safety and Rescue courses, and more

Windsurfing

Learn all the basics of windsurfing to get up and going, turning and in control while developing wind awareness, balance and the technical ability to become proficient

Surfing

Surf at various beaches in different conditions while developing the skills to ride to the waves

Sailing

Irish Sailing syllabus centered course. This can be done either as part of the Academy, or as a full sailing course if a more focused course is desired

Paddleboarding

Also referred to as SUPing, both on flat water and surfing the waves, Stand Up Paddleboarding can be peaceful and also thrilling

Powerboating

The Irish Sailing Level 1 Intro to Powerboating and Level 2 National Powerboat Certificate, once participants have reached the correct age

Sailing Academy

Duration: 6 Months (Sep-Oct-Nov & Mar-Apr-May)

Schedule: First Year program runs every Saturday at Gecko Adventures

Cost: €1200 (Can be paid in instalments)

Location: Gecko Adventures, Courtmacsherry

Booking: There are 6 spaces available, contact us to reserve a spot.

Overview:

The winter sailing academy program is our instructor developer program designed to guide teenage participants towards excelling in all aspects of dinghy sailing and powerboating and progress towards an Irish Sailing Instructor qualification, as well as the national powerboat certificate.

The program follows the Irish Sailing training pathway, and compliments these skills with theoretical and practical skills in other areas and includes an introduction to other water sports such as kayaking and windsurfing.

Other skills developed include water safety and rescue, weather and tide reading and application, knots and ropework, and other practical and theoretical skills such as planning, self-confidence, communication, teamwork, water confidence, leadership, risk assessing and more.

Learning objectives/goals:

These are the learning outcomes the group will work towards achieving throughout the program. They may vary according to weather and tide conditions, group preference and ability.

Year One

Level 1 Start Sailing
Level 2 Basic Skills
Level 3 Improving Skills
Understanding of weather systems, how to interpret weather charts and forecasts and apply them to on the water sessions and safety
Introduction to powerboating (Age 16+)
Understanding of tides, their application in different areas
Taste of kayaking, windsurfing and other water sports

Year Two

Advanced boat handling
National Powerboat Certificate (Age 16+)
REC 3 First Aid Certificate
Guidance on pre entry and instructor training
Taste of kayaking, windsurfing and other water sports

Prerequisites / requirements

Candidates must demonstrate a desire to learn and progress in the sports, and work together as part of a group.
Age 14+ (note: to be certified for national powerboat participants must be 16, and for dinghy instructorship participants must be aged 16 1/2)
Training in adventure sports requires a certain level of personal responsibility in order to ensure the safety of themselves and the group and this must be demonstrated to an acceptable level throughout the training program
Personal equipment
- Outdoor rain/weather gear for all conditions
- Booties or appropriate footwear
- Personal wetsuit is desired but can be provided
- Watch and whistle
- Notebook

Included

All training days (plus subsidized overnight sailing trip on the Ilen, Irelands only surviving wooden cargo sailing ship, subject to conditions and availability.
Standard multisport buoyancy aid
2 week Summer work experience
Softshell Gecko Academy Jacket
Dry bag

Instructor Training

They will learn self awareness, group awareness and will be trained to develop their own skills, ability and knowledge through guided self reflection.

Being placed in leadership roles also helps youths develop self confidence and communication skills as well as self management and problem solving abilities.