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What is Swift?
What is Swift?
Swift, 14/114, is a privately owned IDRA 14 that is currently on loan to a group of youth sailors aged 18–25 at Clontarf Yacht & Boat Club. The boat forms part of a wider effort within the IDRA 14 class to support developing sailors and provide meaningful pathways into competitive dinghy racing.
Purchased several years ago in poor condition for the sole purpose of helping young sailors within and around the class to get out on the water, Swift was refurbished and returned to racing standard through the efforts of a small group of IDRA 14 class members. Today, she is a fast, well-prepared, and actively raced boat within the Clontarf fleet.
What Swift Offers
What Swift Offers
Swift provides young sailors with the opportunity to:
Sail regularly as part of an established IDRA 14 fleet
Compete in weekly club racing at CY&BC
Travel to away events and championships
Gain experience racing
Learn practical boat maintenance and repair skills
Sailing is shared within a small group, allowing multiple sailors to gain experience over the course of a season.
Why is Swift important to us?
Why is Swift important to us?
It seems to be a general trend that once teenagers grow older, they seem to drift away from sailing. This is due to many reasons: college commitments, jobs etc. This means however that there is no racing fleet for youth sailors to sail in. Swift however, gives us the opportunity to keep enjoying the sport we love in an active, competitive and most importantly fun fleet. It also enables us to learn from much more seasoned sailors. Importantly, it will generate a new generation of IDRA 14 sailors who maybe one day will be running the class.
Meet the Swifties
Meet the Swifties
The Swift group currently consists of six sailors, informally known within the fleet as the “Swifties”. Sailing duties are rotated, ensuring everyone has regular opportunities on the water, both as helm and crew, while also sharing responsibility for preparation, rigging, and logistics.
In addition to racing, the group looks after the boat’s ongoing maintenance. This hands-on approach reflects the wider IDRA 14 ethos and has given sailors valuable experience working with epoxy, foils, spars, and general boat upkeep.
Adam
Adam
Nickname: Chad
Highlight of the year:
"Getting to sail with THE Joey McGauran "
Must have boat snack: Blue Powerade
Dan
Dan
Nickname: Dan the Fan
Highlight of the year:
"Surviving the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta with Tom"
Must have boat snack: Pain aux Raisin from Circle K
Hannah
Hannah
Nickname: Mastslayer
Highlight of the year:
"Rostrevor - sailing in Swift but also the early morning hike up the hill over looking the sail area."
Must have boat snack: White chocolate buttons
Joey
Joey
Nickname: Maybe Tow-ie Joey because I once towed the boat
Highlight of the year:
"Flying the spinnaker downwind in Rostrevor in 20 knots of wind before unfortunately capsizing 🫤"
Must have boat snack: Digestives
Orlaith
Orlaith
Nickname "Carnie" or"Orlabcdef"
Highlight of the year:
"Surviving a very windy Lough Ree and still coming 2nd in Silver Fleet at the Nationals"
Must have boat snack: My soggy crisp sambos
Tom
Tom
Nickname "The Puppeteer"
Highlight of the year:
"I had a boat load of fun sailing Swift this year. But if I had to pick just one highlight then it would be sailing in the Volvo Regatta in Dun Laoghaire. There was plenty of wind that weekend and it was my first time really experiencing 30+ knots of wind in an IDRA."
Must have boat snack: Sparkling water
Racing & Events
Racing & Events
Swift races weekly as part of the CY&BC dinghy programme and regularly attends IDRA 14 away events. Recent participation has included regional regattas and the National Championships, where Swift competed successfully within the fleet. Swift is currently racing in the HYC Frostbites in an eclectic PY fleet giving the group more practice in dynamic conditions.
Travelling and racing together forms an important part of the experience, combining competitive sailing with teamwork and shared responsibility.
Swifts Sailing Results
Swifts Sailing Results
2025 National Championships - 7th Gold Fleet
2025 CY&BC Club Championship - 1st
2025 CY&BC "At Home" Regatta - 4th
2024 National Championships - 1st Silver Fleet
2023 National Championships - 2nd Silver Fleet
2023 Northern Championship - 4th
2023 CY&BC "At Home" Regatta - 5th
2023 HYC Dinghy Regatta - 6th
2023 Volvo DunLaoghaire Regatta - 7th
Why Swift Matters
Why Swift Matters
Swift is more than a single boat. It demonstrates what is possible when class members, clubs, and sailors work together to create accessible opportunities within dinghy racing.
The project shows that:
Youth sailors can integrate successfully into senior fleets
Shared boats can be raced competitively
Skills learned ashore are as valuable as those learned afloat
The IDRA 14 remains relevant, affordable, and welcoming
Expression of Interest – Sail Swift
Expression of Interest – Sail Swift
We welcome expressions of interest from sailors who would like to be involved with Swift, either now or in the future.
You do not need to own a boat or have prior IDRA 14 experience. Interest, commitment, and a willingness to learn are far more important.
Who Should Apply?
Who Should Apply?
Swift may suit sailors who:
Are aged between 18–25
Have experience in dinghies or keelboats
Want to race regularly and improve their skills
Are happy to share sailing and maintenance responsibilities
Are based at, or connected with, CY&BC
If you are outside the 18-25 year bracket, we also have Cheeky Gin check it out here
Want to find out more?
Want to find out more?
If you’d like more information about Swift, youth involvement in the IDRA 14, or similar projects within the class, please get in touch.
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