Please select your home edition
Edition
ABS25-SailWorld-1456x180-TOP-01_04

All Girls' Training Day at Kent Schools Sailing Association with Downs Sailing Club

by Simon Cory 23 May 2023 23:44 PDT 8 May 2023

Building on the success of their 2022 All Girls' training event, the KSSA and Downs Sailing Club once again joined in partnership to organise an event for 2023.

Knowing that the Coronation weekend would provide an additional bank holiday and the tides perfect for launching in Deal, the 8th May 2023 was placed in the calendar for a repeat of last year's highly successful event. Once opened for entries, all places were taken within hours, showing the need for this event the capacity of 25 sailors was exceeded.

Attracting girls from as young as 8 to 17 years from across Kent and beyond, whatever their sailing ability, the day saw girls with limited sailing experience sail together with those who were seasoned sailors.

Many clubs find that young female sailors are a minority and their teenage girls members drift away from the sport as it does not provide the social fulfilment gained from being part of a team. Building on the success of female team sports, the focus of the day was to show just how many girls there are spread around local clubs who share their enjoyment of the sport and that there are some amazing social opportunities for girls with the skills they learn through sailing.

Many girls learn to sail in single-handed dinghies and so lack the social interaction on the water that double handed sailing can provide. With this in mind, the event was arranged using double handers only. Fevas, Hartleys, 2000s and two 420s, were made available by Downs Sailing Club, parents and additional Fevas were kindly donated by RYA SE Youth Training Fund. The day provided opportunities to explore new sailing opportunities, either helming d/h, crewing, flying spinnakers as well as developing power boat handing skills and building new friendships.

Leading up to the event the weather forecast did not look kind, however following a wet and windy Coronation day, the organisers were blessed with champagne sailing conditions off Deal beach which meant that as much time as possible could be spent on the water. 27 Girls were welcomed to Downs Sailing Club with free t-shirts and breakfast. Many of the girls had come not knowing any of the others but barriers were soon broken and friendships begun as they joined one of the three coaching groups.

The coaching team of ladies was led by KSSA's Vice Commodore, Jenny Johnson, a highly accomplished sailor, supported by female instructors from Downs and Sevenoaks School. KSSA current Youth and ex Youth Captains, Enya Gibbs and Abbey Mumford provided instruction on the water and acted as excellent mentors and support for the younger girls on land.

On the water action saw some girls get their first opportunity to helm with the support of more experienced crew. Seasoned single-handed sailors crewed and many for the first time, experienced the fun of flying a spinnaker. Abbey Mumford focused on supporting the two 420 teams passing on her extensive knowledge and experience to improve their skills.

This year we were delighted that the event was supported by the Magenta Project. Louise Clayton, a Magenta Project Ambassador, kindly joined the girls for the day giving inspirational talks on building confidence and making the most of opportunities. Sharing her wide and varied sailing experience which has taken her around the world, Louise gave a spotlight on the amazing opportunities and experiences sailing could provide.

Focusing on the friendships that could be made through the support her key message was that the girls should have the self believe to say 'yes' to any opportunities which come their way and to believe in themselves.

KSSA and Downs Sailing Club were delighted with the success of their second collaboration on this all-girls' event and have agreed that, due to the interest and support this event was given, a third event even bigger event will definitely be in both club's calendars for 2024.

Kent Schools Sailing Association: kssa.co.uk

Related Articles

New venue for Superyacht Cup Palma 2025
Europe's longest running superyacht regatta will be relocating to Club de Mar-Mallorca With a new venue, new entries and new racing classes, the Superyacht Cup Palma 2025 is on course for a spectacular 29th edition. Posted on 13 Feb
Transat Café L'OR Cap Pour Elles 2025 routes
Four classes, four courses, four winning duos means four times the emotion On Sunday October 26, the ULTIM, the Ocean Fifty, the IMOCA, and the Class40 divisions will start their TRANSAT CAFÉ L'OR Le Havre Normandie at 15 minutes intervals. Posted on 13 Feb
Foam-up forecast for 44Cup Nanny Cay Season opener
Of the nine teams competing, favourite is Vladimir Prosikhin's Team Nika It's why racing yachts congregate from all parts of the world in the Caribbean - incessant sunshine; stiff breeze, soaring temperatures, warm azure water all combining to provide an alluring cocktail with which to escape the freezing gloom of winter. Posted on 12 Feb
Abigail returning to Marblehead to Halifax Race
A 1956 wood 39' ketch designed by John Alden and built by Seth Persson Returning to this year's Marblehead to Halifax race is Jesse Terry's Abigail, a 1956 wood 39' ketch designed by John Alden and built by Seth Persson right after Finisterre, which won the Newport to Bermuda race three times. Posted on 12 Feb
Melges24 NA SailingSeries launches with Midwinters
The stage is set for three fun days of racing on Tampa Bay The 2025 Melges 24 North American Sailing Series (NASS) kicks off in spectacular style at the Midwinter Championship, held in conjunction with the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - St. Petersburg. Posted on 12 Feb
29er Eurocup Series at RCN Valencia Preview
86 boats set to start racing on Thursday The Eurocup Series 29er 2025, as part of the 10th Comunitat Valenciana Olympic Week, is starting a new journey at the Real Club Náutico de Valencia. Posted on 12 Feb
Newport Bermuda Race Live Seminars
Biggest takeaways and lessons learned from 2024 incidents Kicking off our 2026 Race Prep Seminar Series, a panel will reflect on the key incidents from the 2024 Bermuda Race, with insights into what went right, what went wrong, and how lessons learned can improve safety, preparation, and performance for 2026. Posted on 12 Feb
2025 Rolex Fastnet Race - winners return
For this special edition, the RORC has reintroduced its once premier event, the Admiral's Cup For 2025, the Royal Ocean Racing Club celebrates both its own centenary and that of the Rolex Fastnet Race, the race upon which it was founded. Posted on 12 Feb
The stage is set for 2025 29er Asian Championship
Taking place from 12th to 16th February Incorporated into Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week 2025 and co-organised by the Sailing Federation of Hong Kong, China, Royal Hong Kong YC and the International 29 Class, 2025 29er Asian Championship will take place from 12th to 16th February. Posted on 12 Feb
IRC Rating open for 2025
The IRC rating system will remain largely unchanged for 2025. Applications are open for 2025 IRC Rating and the IRC Rating Authority (RORC Rating Office and UNCL, Pôle Course du YCF) have already issued certificates to over 650 northern hemisphere boats for the new season. Posted on 12 Feb
Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignMaritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTERMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOM