More women and girls are taking up sailing this year

More women and girls are taking up sailing this year
Jackie French , Sue Falch-Lovesey, and Laura Holmes-Short

Snettisham Beach Sailing Club report increasing numbers of women and girls are out on the water.

Publicity officer Mark Foley said: "We’ve been surprised by how much people want to get out out on the water this year, but perhaps we shouldn’t have been, given the last 14 months.

"And Women’s sailing is more popular than ever; we’ve had fleets of 8 women enjoying the safe water of the lake and excitement of the sea, and another 4 are joining in June."

Currently the club is seeing more girls than boys progressing through their junior pathway and they have a unique track record of producing women sailors from Junior right up to adult with female youth sailors competing at Regional, National, European and World Championship level. They also have a growing number of female instructors working at the club. They're not sure why; maybe its the enthusiasm of their long time Chief Instructor Jane Ellison and her great example?

"Women’s sailing happens on Friday mornings, come and give it a go. This group is for women over 18. If you’re a younger girl you can get your introduction by joining one of our other programmes:

"Ducklings sessions are especially for club members aged 5, 6 or 7 and offer the chance to get out sailing on the lake in Optimists with tuition from our most experienced instructors. We aim to build confidence and have fun on the water whilst learning some basic sailing skills. Parents must remain on the beach whilst the children are out sailing. Ducklings sessions are available to club members only. You can book individual sessions for £15 each. You are welcome to bring your own boat or use a club boat.

"RYA OnBoard courses involve learning all the basics you need to know to sail a boat. We provide the instructors, boats, spray tops and buoyancy aids, and most importantly a fun way of learning and getting wet! All you have to do is bring your child along with old clothes, including footwear (old trainers are fine), to sail in, a towel and some dry warm clothes to go home in." Mark added.

More info: Women’s sailing www.snetbeach.co.uk/adult-sailing-courses/ladies-sailing and contact Jane Ellison janey2950@sky.com



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