GIRLS & WOMEN IN THE RS FAMILY
These are the views of real girls and women in the RS Sailing family, they were shared to empower others and encourage them to be a part of our amazing sport.
We asked them what they love about sailing, if they had any practical tips and what they’d say to girls and women looking to get out on the water. Read on to find out what they had to say!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT SAILING?
DO YOU HAVE ANY PRACTICAL TIPS?
ANY ADVICE FOR GETTING INVOLVED?
Freedom of being out on the water and away from any stresses & worries.
Beth Milledge
My most important bit of a kit is a headband, nothing worse than trying to beat upwind with a face full of hair!
Beth Milledge
Gender is so unimportant in sailing these days … just head to your club and get stuck in!
Beth Milledge
I love the freedom sailing gives you – I love heading off on an adventure with the family, finding a wee bay and messing around in and on the water. Being outdoors is the best medicine, it takes us away from the electronics and we have an opportunity to reconnect with nature and each other.
Emma Hepplewhite
Like most females, for a few days every month I don’t particularly enjoy dealing with menstruation while also wanting to keep sailing and paddleboarding. So my practical tip would be to try the moon cup. I have found them to be better than some of the alternatives. That said, different methods work for different people, so experiment until you have a system you are happy with. Once you stop worrying about leaks, you are free to get on and enjoy your sport.
Emma Hepplewhite
If I could give my younger self some advice, I would tell her to stop worrying about what other people think. Get on and do what you want to do be that sailing, skiing, tiddlywinks, knitting or playing the ukulele! In terms of sailing, specifically, head to your nearest club or centre to give sailing a go. With any luck, you will find your tribe.
Emma Hepplewhite
Whats to love: Sea air, Disconnect, Escape, Challenge, Teamwork, always learning, you never regret going out.
Sarah Dwyer
Ensure your Clubs and classes don’t just talk the talk, but walk it too. Make women welcome, call out the chauvinists because if you do not, the women will exclude themselves. Women learn differently than men. They need a measured and safe environment to assimilate information and explore their skills. Foster their opinions and needs.
Sarah Dwyer
Invest in the right gear and step out of your comfort zone, you’ll surprise yourself!
Sarah Dwyer
The utter sense of freedom, the endorphins from an epic day on the water, the tactical and strategic mind games, the opportunity to be fierce and the friendships for life.
Lynn Billowes
Tampons are designed to soak up liquids and can only be worn for a limited amount of time which isn’t that practical in a dinghy! Period pants, menstrual cups or simply a black pair of bikini bottoms are great alternatives!
Lynn Billowes
Never say no to an opportunity to get out on the water, ask questions, make mistakes, believe in yourself, make friends, relish the challenge and, most importantly, enjoy it!
Lynn Billowes
Freedom – Headspace – My time kid free – no kids to stuff into wetsuits – Exhilarating – Fun – Not dangerous
George Havers
See it as a way to learn, about yourself, learn a new skill at any age – Find your tribe – Remove the testosterone – Support each other, buddy checks, sail with other women – Find the right kit that fits women shapes bodies – Design changing rooms with family space and individual shower cubicles – Find the right boat switching to the lighter aero was a game changer (ability to lift it off tiered rack, launch, tow) – Be self sufficient learn how to helm, drive rib, race officer – Mid week evening sail means kids stay at home and it’s my time.
George Havers
Try out different boats – Join an RYA training centre course – Join a club like Lymington that is family friendly and has women’s group – Sail with different people – Get time on the water – Turn up whatever the weather – Buy 2nd hand boat jumble, club notice boards etc
George Havers
Considering I have had no sailing background I have loved the small tasters I have had of it. I found it a very inclusive environment and very rewarding to get stuck into.
Natalie Derham-Weston
I would definitely advise investing in gloves that are appropriate with grip and protection!
Natalie Derham-Weston
I think knowing your boundaries is really important, being comfortable in the weather conditions and having a supportive group around you.
Natalie Derham-Weston
I love the freedom you feel out on the water and stops me thinking about anything else. Although competitive I still find it reduces stress about other things going on. I also love the social side and having shared passion with like minded people.
Cathy Lunn
Choose the right boat. The RS Aero is a great boat because it’s so light and manageable on shore as well on the water with the different rig sizes. I’m loving my 6 rig.
Cathy Lunn
Sail with friends- make new ones – I’ve lifelong friends through the sport, get involved at a local club – you get out what you put in. Don’t be afraid to ask people for tips or help.
Cathy Lunn
For me, water is a source of happiness. When I am sailing, I feel connected to nature, and free. It is a place where I can forget about everything else that is happening in life, and concentrate only on making the boat go as fast as possible. I am competitive by nature, and as such, I particularly love racing, where you can’t afford to lose concentration, and other boats provide a constant measure of how well (or how badly!) you are doing. I also love to make the boat go really fast – that feeling of the boat being out of control on a reach – that’s what it’s all about – it’s addictive!
Maria-Luisa Coulson
When I started sailing in Cherubs, I was one of the few girls in the class. Whilst there were lady skipper trophies, there was nothing else to encourage women in the sport. To me, that was fine, as sailing is one of the few sports where (in my view) men and women can compete equally. Times have changed, and there are now opportunities for women in sailing, and a lot of support – which is great! We no longer have to wear gear made for men (or boys), and it’s lovely to go to busy changerooms after the race to ‘de-brief’ with all of the female sailors. All I would say to girls considering sailing is that it is a fantastic sport, it attracts people from all walks of life, and it can literally open your world (especially in the aero class, with so many international regattas to choose from). If you are a lover of water sports, give it a try – you won’t regret it!
Maria-Luisa Coulson
If you are interested in aeros, I would simply make contact with an aero sailor in a club near you, and ask him or her to let you have a test sail. That’s what I did . I fell in love with the boat at my very first trial, and bought my new aero days after that trial. I am now training for the worlds in Calasetta…!
Maria-Luisa Coulson
Everything – being in nature, the thrill of blasting downwind with the kite up, the comraderie amongst sailors, sailing with my daughters.
Sally Campbell
Get some women’s specific kit, like the range from Rooster.
Sally Campbell
Go for it, you’ll never look back, plus it’s one of the few sports where women can race alongside men, and often win.
Sally Campbell
I have dinghy sailed since I was 6 and half years old. I love sailing as gives me a sense of freedom and many different new adventures every time you launch.
Cheryl Wood
Been a girl/woman in sailing shouldn’t hold you back. You can sail anywhere (within safety rules) and any type of boat you desire to sail. Aim high and don’t settle for your second best. Remember we are all equal.
Cheryl Wood
If you’re thinking of having a go at sailing visit a local club or sailing centre and have a taster session with experienced person.
Cheryl Wood
Every day is different, there’s no path on the water, the activity challenges me to be better in every way.
Marina Psychogyiou
You can always pee in a bucket and empty it overboard – don’t force yourself and don’t neglect getting hydrated.
Marina Psychogyiou
Try it!
Marina Psychogyiou
Ulli Scheu
Try to get on boats with friendly people, ask them to participate in little fun races straight away, run sailing courses with good instructors.
Ulli Scheu
Become a member of a sailing club where they try to involve newcomers. Ask boat owners you know whether you might come along when they have their Friday evening races so that you can learn new skills.
Ulli Scheu
I enjoy the independence of sailing, being out on the water all on my accord and giving it a good go at competing.
Yana Skvortsova
I think the biggest thing is having more prizes for women such as a top 3 just to reward their effort as sailing is still a physical sport, competing against men can be very daunting and even if occasionally you do well against them it would be nice to have your efforts recognised at the end of the day. I think our differences are something to be celebrated and ignoring them only makes it worse for women who are already underrepresented in the class.
Yana Skvortsova
My advice would be to not care about what anyone says and believe in yourself and really just enjoy it.
Yana Skvortsova
The freedom and closeness to the Ocean/nature. I also enjoy the beautiful scene in sunny days with light wind, and the speed exhilaration in reaching/running in downwind.
Lily 徐莉佳
Challenge yourself to wear sailing kit that makes you feel awesome.
Lily 徐莉佳
Go sailing with a group of female sailors, like at the club weekly session of womens sailing. Attend womens/girls training camp for your Class.
Lily 徐莉佳
The female RS Aero sailors from a few nearby clubs also meet separately to sail over the winter as a group in a more casual way so that beginning females can gain confidence in a more casual environment.
Laurie Hoffman
In Sydney, the female RS Aero sailors get together with 2 of the top male RS Aero sailors and have them put on a few clinics for us both on and off the water. This works better than some of our “professional coaches”, who may not have as much patience to coach some of us who are more beginners.
Laurie Hoffman
The female RS Aero sailors from a few nearby clubs also meet separately to sail over the winter as a group in a more casual way so that beginning females can gain confidence in a more casual environment.
Laurie Hoffman
I got into sailing for the love of being on the water, but I’m hooked on it because of that and the people I’ve met in the sport. It’s such a fun, encouraging, and diverse group of people. I’ve enjoyed traveling to some state and national regattas and have loved meeting people from all over and hearing their experiences with sailing.
Magdalena Chavez
I think it helps to know other women in the sport. Seriously, you would be hard pressed to ever find such a positive, encouraging group of people anywhere else! I was fortunate to meet some fellow lady sailors in Florida in Summer 2022, and again in Texas for the Aero Women’s Nationals. These ladies are smart and strong but also so much fun to be around. Finding that camaraderie makes the sport even more enjoyable!
Magdalena Chavez
Sailing seems like a lot to learn at first. Lots of termanology, boat handling skills, wind-reading, etc. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. But thankfully, there are lots of sailors of varied skill levels who are more than willing to jump in and help you out! Right from the start, there is a community of people who are excited to welcome new sailors onto the water, and we all want to see everyone else get better! I would say that goes double for the women in sailing. You may find yourself racing against some fast sailors out there, but they’re all more than happy to sit down with you and pass on some advice to help you get better and better.
The other thing I would say is no matter what level of experience you are, you should enter into some of these bigger regattas. Aside from the fun of travel and sailing in different waters, it is the best way to meet people in the sport and keep learning. I was so intimidated the first time I ventured out to a travel regatta, but I really didn’t need to be! Sure, I was not the fastest sailor on the water, but no one cared, and I learned so much from the experience!
Magdalena Chavez
