Women on Water: Introducing Racing in a Supportive Environment

A new group of sailors experienced the excitement of racing for the first time at the Women on Water Racing Day, hosted at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club.
Designed as a supportive and accessible introduction, the day focused on building confidence, removing barriers and showing that racing can be both welcoming and enjoyable.

The session combined light theory in the morning with time on the water in dinghies, giving participants the chance to understand the basics of racing before putting it into practice.
Led by experienced coaches in a relaxed and encouraging environment, the emphasis was on learning, asking questions and gaining confidence, rather than getting everything perfect.

For many participants, this was their first exposure to racing.
By breaking down key elements such as starting sequences, positioning and communication on board, the session helped remove the intimidation that can sometimes be associated with racing.
The focus throughout was simple:
make it understandable
make it accessible
make it enjoyable

Why It Matters

Initiatives like Women on Water play an important role in creating clear pathways into the sport, particularly for those who may not have previously seen racing as something for them.

By providing structured, supportive opportunities like this, more women are able to explore different areas of sailing and build confidence at their own pace.

We also caught up with Ross Boyd from RBCA, proud sponsors of the Women on Water programme, who spoke about the real impact initiatives like this are having in opening up sailing to more women. He highlighted confidence as one of the biggest barriers to getting started, and how creating a relaxed, supportive environment can make that first step feel far more achievable. Ross also reinforced the importance of partnerships in making programmes like this possible, helping more women not just try sailing, but build the confidence to keep progressing and feel part of the sport long-term.

His message was clear. When the right support is in place, more women will step forward, get involved, and see a future for themselves in sailing.