On Saturday the 25^th of September 2021 the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club launched its inaugural SheSails Program focussed on increasing women’s participation in the sport of sailing.

In 2018 the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club set aside a race in the Winter Series as a dedicated women’s helm race and created coaching and practice sessions to ensure participants would have the experience to participate.  Since then, the Women’s Sailing Program has continued to grow with increasing participation and a range of formal and informal training opportunities, culminating in the creation of the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club SheSails Women’s Sailing Program.

A cool day greeted organisers as they made the final arrangements; most importantly there was a gentle to moderate breeze blowing promising perfect conditions for the come and try component of the day.

Attendees, both local to the Fleurieu and from Adelaide, were greeted by the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club’s SheSails Committee Members and invited to partake of morning tea before the formalities of the day began.  Convenor Louise Edwards welcomed all to the day and Commodore Randal Cooper encouraged attendees to give sailing a go as it is one of the few sports where women and men compete equally.  Following information on the program and formal training opportunities through the Club’s Discover Sailing Centre everyone was invited out to watch a demonstration of Team Sailing by Investigator College.

Then it was onto Come and Try Sailing with a choice of small and large trailable yachts, a vintage yacht, sabre dinghies and safety boats.  After boat familiarisation and safety briefings everyone headed out onto the ‘pond’ in front of the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club.  Windward and leeward buoys were set to provide a simple course to follow and conditions were perfect for all to try out the various roles on yachts, the dinghy sailors had a ball and some got some practice on the safety boats.  The club received positive feedback from all who attended, one sailor mentioned “It was a very well-run event, and welcoming to beginners of all ages and abilities”

Back at the Club a light lunch was available and Committee members spent time one on one with attendees to answer questions and encourage them to pre-register for programmed events.  Visit www.gryc.com.au for more information or contact the club on 8555 2617 or gryc@gryc.com.au