Mark's relationship with the sea began many decades ago; when as a child growing up in Dublin, he was inspired by seeing programmes featuring Jacques Cousteau on the television. Anxious to try it out for himself, he developed an interest in watersports and says he was always at his happiest when away from dry land.

Shouts of "up, up!" echoed across Galway Bay on Sunday morning, 5 October, during the hotly contested McSwiggans October Cruiser League, as the racing boats jostled for position, with spinnakers flying in some of the closest racing at the start line seen so far this year. Two fleets, Class One and Class Two, took to the water with all to play for in this battle for supremacy in both classes. With wind blowing at light, this was not going to be the white-knuckle racing of the past weeks, however, it would be just as challenging in a different way. Race tactics and precise sailing would be more to the fore in this the second race of the series.

Almost twenty children launched successfully on the last Sunday in September, with light winds and beautiful sunshine as part of the junior Autumn Sailing Programme. There were two oppy fleets and a feva fleet, with children from aged eight years upwards.

The McSwiggans October League at Galway Bay Sailing Club kicked off on the morning of Sunday 5 October, with a fresh Northerly breeze making for perfect flat water sailing conditions on the Bay. Quite a few regular faces were missing, as a strong contingent had travelled to Alicante to support the Green Dragon Team at the Volvo Ocean Race's opening in-port races.

Every year in Galway Bay Sailing Club, cruisers battle it out in a series of offshore races culminating in one boat being awarded the clubs most prestigious title, King of the Bay. This year for the second time in a row, this title has been won by Glenn Cahill and his crew aboard Joie de Vie having once again narrowly beaten fellow J109 skipper Tommy Smyth aboard Catalpa.

Dress up the family and join staff at Galway Atlantaquaria for a safe, fun Halloween party.

Leenane native Bridget Gavin has made history by being the first Irish woman appointed as chief engineer of a ship. She was recently appointed chief engineer of Ulysses, the Irish Ferries Dublin to Holyhead cruise ferry.

Galway East TD Micheál Kitt has launched a leaflet on Weil's Disease on behalf of Irish Water Safety.

The last race of the Aquabroker Summer Series took place on Wednesday, 24 September. The evening was a rarity with almost flat calm and easterly winds averaging eight knots. Due to the time constraint and the low wind strengths, Race Officer, Dave Vinnell selected a short course with an 'all classes' start. As the wind was blowing from the East and the tide was dropping all boats were pushed onto the club start line from behind. The result was a congested start line with up to 20 yachts competing for the best position to hoist spinnakers while avoiding oncoming boats.

Cumann Séoltóireachta an Spidéil held their regatta on Sunday 21 September. Thirty-seven boats lined up for the event including a substantial travelling contingent from Galway Bay Sailing Club. This was one of the biggest fleets of sailing boats to gather off Spiddal in recent years, a great testament to the success of Cumann Séoltóireachta an Spidéil, which is only five years old.