Women on the Water (WoW) group at Stewartby Water Sailing Club
by Sarah Binstead 20 Jul 00:50 PDT
12 July 2025
On the 12th of July, Stewartby Sailing Club witnessed the inaugural gathering of its newly formed Women on the Water (WoW) group. The day was graced with excellent sailing conditions, featuring a light to moderate breeze and clear blue skies, setting the perfect stage for this historic event.
Eight enthusiastic women signed up to participate, supported by Jess Day (Senior Instructor) and Sarah Binstead (Assistant Instructor), who expertly ran the session and provided assistance from the club's support boats. The group comprised mostly of women who were either new to sailing or returning after significant breaks. The more experienced sailors took out the club's Visions with less experienced crews or helms, while the majority opted for single-handed sailing in the club's Picos.
This initiative marks a new frontier for Stewartby Sailing Club, which is committed to promoting sailing for the entire family. From junior sessions on Friday nights and social sailing Saturdays (instructor-supported) to the new monthly Women on Water sessions, the club offers a comprehensive calendar of activities. For those with a competitive spirit, a considerable calendar of racing is also available.
The WoW group is designed to foster a supportive environment where women can support each other, enjoy camaraderie, and develop their sailing abilities and confidence on the water. The journey each woman embarks on is individually defined, but with the full support of the Stewartby Sailing Section, anything is possible.
This event was inspired by a RYA supported event at Grafham Water earlier this year. Special thanks go to Jane Ellison, Vanessa Weedon Jones, and Jess Day for their invaluable support at that event, showcasing what is possible when women support women.
If you fancy sailing in an inclusive and supportive environment in Bedfordshire, why not get in touch you are guaranteed an extremely warm welcome.