The second race of the Galway Bay Sailing Club's Dinghy Late Summer Series got off to a sparkling start in 20+ knots of wind with views out the bay of the Green Dragon Team in training. The next time Galway sees the Green Dragon team will be in May of next year as we welcome them home from their transatlantic leg from Boston, that other home from home for so many Galway people over the decades.

Scubadive West in Renvyle, Connemara has just launched its Autumn 2008 Photo Competition. With both underwater and seascape categories, this competition will appeal to divers and non-divers alike.

Upcoming marine events in the Galway area.

The Ocean Youth Trust's Oyster 68, 'Lord Rank', which has been in Galway Docks almost a week, will leave the city tomorrow after a week of opportunities for young Galwegians to try out life on the ocean wave.

Upcoming marine events in the Galway area.

The first race of the Alfa Romeo Late Summer Series took place on Wednesday, 23 July. On a perfect evening for sailing in flat water, in a light-to-moderate southerly breeze, the boats started on a reach from the club line with That's Life (Martin Breen) getting the best start, followed by After Midnight (flying a spinnaker), at the pin end of the line. All boats rounded Leverets and hoisted spinnakers on the downwind leg to Cockle Rock.

A large fleet of boats from GBSC took to the water on Sunday to welcome the Green Dragon as she and her crew made her way into Galway. It was a special day for GBSC as three of the leading people behind the Green Dragon Team and Volvo Ocean Race event; Enda O'Coineen, John Killeen and Eamon Conneely, are closely associated with the club.

It's that time of year again – the Late Summer Series has started and Tuesday evening dinghy racing is more than half way through for the season. Cold, winter Sunday afternoon racing gets nearer by the week.

Ian Walker first learned to sail at eight years old on mirror dinghies at Chipstead Sailing Club, near Sevenoaks in Kent. Unusually for a sailor of his calibre, he did not grow up near the sea, nor was there any sailing in the family. Chipstead Sailing Club was based on Chipstead Lake, a small gravel pit.

The final race of the Storm Technology Summer Series took place in ideal wind conditions of 15+ knots offering exhilarating racing. The course took competitors from the GBSC club start line at Rinville, round the Leverets lighthouse located in front of Galway harbour, and back down towards Oranmore bay.