Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q. Where is the best place in Galway to learn watersports?
A. Rusheen Bay is the ideal location to learn Windsurfing due to the low tide sandbars that create a flat water shallow lagoon with consistent south westerly winds. It is an enclosed bay meaning it is perfect for beginners learning to Kayak and Paddleboard and at high tide it can offer more area to explore. It even has an exit out to Galway Bay for longer tours with an instructor to places like, Silverstrand, Blackrock and Barna Pier.
Q. What is required to make a booking?
A. We require a 100% payment to confirm all bookings for camps, lessons and rentals. For groups a 50% deposit is required with the remainder paid 1 week in advance. This is refundable up to a week before a booking but a small admin fee is charged or if an activity has to be cancelled due to weather conditions then the full amount is refunded. For more info check out our policies in the company section.
Q. What are the prices of the activites?
A. Click here for all the info on prices for our regular activities. If you require a price for something not listed on the price list please email us on info@rusheenbay.com.
Q. Do you take cash or card?
A. Yes we accept both.
Q. How do I book in to a lesson or rental?
A. To book into a lesson or rental check out our booking page here.
Q. Is there anything I need to bring?
A. Just bring swimming togs a packed lunch and a towel we provide everything else. You can also use your own wetsuits if you choose to.
Q. What’s the youngest a child can be on any of the activities?
A. 8 years old is the youngest we can take on our activities. We require all participants to be at a minimum comfortable in water as well.
Q. Can you buy a voucher?
A. Yes you can buy vouchers online by clicking here.
Q. Is there discount for children?
A. No there is no kids discount.
Q. Is there a discount for students?
A. No there is no student discount.
Q. Do we have insurance?
A. Yes you are fully covered for all of our activities under our insurance.
Weather and Tide Conditions
Q. Where can I find out information on the tide times in Rusheen Bay?
A. Various weather and wind apps show tide times but feel free to contact us to ask the best time for an activity on any given day.
Q. Does the tide affect the activities?
A. Yes the tide can affect the activities. At lower tide there is less water in the bay but still plenty of space to enjoy yourself on the water. We recommend low tide for beginners in windsurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding or people who are less comfortable in deep water. At higher tides the bay gets deep in the middle but the sandbanks never go beyond chest deep. This offers more area to explore for paddleboarding and kayaking and a larger area for windsurfing but usually slightly choppier conditions.
Q. Does the weather affect the activities?
A. Yes the activities are weather dependent excluding rain ( you will be getting wet anyways don’t worry ). If the wind is too strong we may have to cancel the lessons and rentals for the day if we deem it unsafe. Windsurf lessons may also be cancelled if there isn’t enough wind to run the lesson.
Summer Camps
Q. Am I able to book a camp online?
A. When you select the summer camp you are trying to book below the calendar it will show you all the camps with spaces still available. If it comes up red it means we are booked out for that week and if it comes up green there is still spaces available on the camp. You can check out the availability of our camps here. Make sure to click the monday of the week you would like as the system doesn’t aallow mid week starts.
Q. Is there a waiting list for the summer camps?
A.Yes we have a waiting list for booked out camps as there is always some cancellations or movements. Please message us to find out if your preferred week is available. Contact us here.
Q. Is there anything I need to bring?
A. Just bring swimming togs a packed lunch and a towel we provide everything else. You can also use your own wetsuits if you choose to.
Q. Do we provide wetsuits?
A. Yes we provide everything you need to get on the water. This includes wetsuits, booties and lifejackets.
Q. What’s the youngest a child can be on any of the activities?
A. 8 years old is the youngest we can take on our activities. We require all participants to be at a minimum comfortable in water as well.
Q. Is there a discount of camps for multiple children
A. No there is no discount for multiple children.
Lessons
Q. Is there anything I need to bring?
A. Just bring swimming togs and a towel we provide everything else. You can also use your own wetsuits if you choose to.
Q. Are you allowed to rent Stand Up Paddle boards and kayaks with our lessons?
A. Yes all the equipment you require for a lesson is already included in the price.
Q. Do you need to have done a lesson already before renting out Kayaks or Stand Up Paddle Boards?
A. No it isn’t necessary to complete a lesson before renting out the equipment. We provide a demonstration and safety briefing on how to do the sports before you enter the water, very similar to on a lesson. The only difference is the instructor doesn’t guide you on the water.
Q. What is the minimum number of lessons before going windsurfing without an instructor?
A. We recommend at least four lessons with an instructor to really get the hang of the basics to have directional control and to be able to come back safely. Some people get the control necessary within 2 lessons though.
Q. What gear is available?
A. We have a whole range available from beginner to advanced gear for windsurfing and multiple different brands of Stand Up Paddleboards and Sit On Top Kayaks.
Q. Do we provide wetsuits?
A. Yes we provide everything you need to get on the water. This includes wetsuits, booties and lifejackets.
Rentals
Q. Is there anything I need to bring?
A. Just bring swimming togs and a towel we provide everything else. You can also use your own wetsuits if you choose to.
Q. Do you need to have done a lesson already before renting out Kayaks or Stand Up Paddle Boards?
A. No it isn’t necessary to complete a lesson before renting out the equipment. We provide a demonstration and safety briefing on how to do the sports before you enter the water, very similar to on a lesson. The only difference is the instructor doesn’t guide you on the water.
Q. What gear is available?
A. We have a whole range available from beginner to advanced gear for windsurfing and multiple different brands of Stand Up Paddleboards and Kayaks.
Q. What is the minimum number of lessons before going windsurfing without an instructor?
A. We recommend at least four lessons with an instructor to really get the hang of the basics to have directional control and to be able to come back safely. Some people get the control necessary within 2 lessons though.
Q. Can children go out on the water without a parent or instructor?
A. No children under 16 can’t go out by themselves.
Q. Do we provide wetsuits?
A. Yes we provide everything you need to get on the water. This includes wetsuits, booties and lifejackets.
Q. Is there a discount for group rentals?
A. No there is no discounts for group rentals.
For any other questions feel free to contact us by calling us on 0872605702, through our Facebook page, by email on info@rusheenbay.com or contact us here.