The She Sails team of Instructors and mentors, led by Jasmine Ruck and Michaela Hanson, at Southport Yacht Club Oxenford Watersports Centre are experiencing a superb turnout for their She Sails event with 28 participants in their final event of 2022.

They have spent time getting feedback from participants and identifying the target audience that is quite specific to Oxenford Lake. They found that they deal with a lot of females who are completely new to sailing or have been scared by prior experiences with husbands, friends, or partners. To further support women and girls in their community, they have started She Sails by beginning with a more social sailing aspect that encourages females to sail with a female mentor or instructor on a Hobie Wave Catamaran on the lake.  The goal is to retain females in the program and help them develop their interest to continue sailing.

As well as the soft approach to practical sailing, they have also developed a slow, entry level theory sessions held over three months that provides basic information and skills for this kind of sailing on the enclosed non-tidal lake. The aim is to build confidence so that everyone can sail a Hobie independently.

The team has developed resources as they go, the first was an introduction and basic information about the parts of the boat and the wind circle.  They have developed a She Sails Pathway, Facebook page and also have a noticeboard of other activities females can also get involved in at the Watersports Centre e.g. dragon boating, gym classes, rowing etc.

There are multiple pathways to explore, such as, hire a hobie with other friends, try Stand Up Paddleboards (SUP) with other ladies, become a She Sails volunteer assisting newcomers, advance their skills on a structured course like the adult Learn to Sail program, participate in a Sail Pass option or support them by finding a keelboat crew they can join.  

Jasmine and Michaela have been very pleased to see a 50% return rate from the two structured events held so far. Participants range from late teens up to 70yrs of age from no experience to having completed an Adult Learn to Sail program. 

Between them, the women bring different inspiration.  Michaela finds hers from Wendy Tuck, who used to work at the club and began sailing when she was 30.  Jasmine caught the sailing bug after being introduced by her parents when she was a teenager, so is a great example for the younger ladies wanting to try something new.  If you’d like to join in a SYC She Sails Social experience, click here to register your expression of interest or to join the January 14^th Event from Noon-3pm.   https://www.revolutionise.com.au/southportyc/events/117490/