FEMALE SAILORS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The Female Sailors Development Program is designed to build your confidence, hone your skills and strengthen your connection in the club. The program is supported by Nickie Jones, Australian Sailing’s Chief Keelboat Instructor, the SYC Boating Academy, and our amazing SYC keelboat instructors and coaches. We could not run this program without the support of SYC and YRSA-AMS.
SYC FEMALE SAILORS DEVELOPMENT EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)
The development program was launched in November 2023 and has been a huge success. Three weekend courses ran over the 2023/24 season – the 56 available spots were quickly filled by a very enthusiastic group SYC female sailors. The skill development was amazing, and it was also a great opportunity to meet other female sailors and strengthen the networking opportunity at the club.
Some participant feedback:
“What a fantastic weekend. I’m absolutely shattered but totally delighted by what I have learned and the people I have met. Thank you to the energetic and committed organisers for a job well done.”
“What an awesome weekend everyone! Thank you for the teamwork, comradery and all the learning. It’s been amazing.”
We have four courses scheduled for the 2024/25 season:
- 8, 9, 10 November 2024 – Intermediate/Advanced
- 14, 15, 16 February 2025 – Beginner/Intermediate
- 11, 12, 13 April 2025 – Intermediate/Advanced
- 2, 3, 4 May 2025 – progression from previous courses
There will also be opportunities to continue your skill development once you have completed one of these courses. For more information contact [email protected].
To register your interest for this program, complete the EOI here.
SYC WOMEN IN SAILING DATES:
Women in Sailing Challenge (WISC) – 23 February 2025
Commodore’s Challenge – 18 May 2025
Sandringham Yacht Club is the proud host of two signature women’s sailing events, the Women in Sailing Challenge (WISC) and the SYC Commodore’s Challenge. Both events aim to showcase women’s sailing and encourage greater female participation in our sport.
WISC has evolved over the years, yet still holds dear the main values and goals instilled by its founders over 20 years ago. WISC is a one-day keelboat event, which aims to encourage the participation of both novice and experienced female sailors. The event incorporates fleet racing with a separate cruising division. The regatta result also counts as race day three of the Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series (PPWCS).
There are two categories in the racing division for a boat to enter – all female crew or mixed crew (female helm). We also have a cruising division which is incorporated into our Sunday Sailors race where you can compete with a female helm. The cruising division race will be conducted as per the Sunday Sailors NOR and SYC SI’s.
If you are interested in crewing or skippering, but are struggling to put together a crew, please let us know at [email protected]. Or finally, if you are a boat owner and open to handing over the reins of your boat, please get in contact with us directly by talking to the SYC Boating Office or emailing [email protected].
The SYC Commodore’s Challenge commenced in 2016 as a female only regatta which aims to promote competitive one-design women’s racing in Port Phillip Bay. In this regatta, Commodores from around the bay are invited to select their best team of female sailors to compete in a competitive one-design racing event on SYC’s J70s. If you would like to register your interest as a club, please contact [email protected].
WOMEN’S KEELBOAT EVENTS TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR IN PORT PHILLIP INCLUDE:
Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series (PPWCS)
The PPWCS combines the female race-days from five clubs around the bay into a stand-alone series. This is a great opportunity to improve your skills in a racing environment. It is also a great way to get your team ready for the Australia Women’s Keelboat Regatta (AWKR).
- 1 December 2024 – HBYC – Shirley Freeman Memorial Trophy
- 2 February 2025 – RYCV – Val Hodge Trophy
- 23 February 2025 – SYC – Women in Sailing Challenge
- 6 April 2025 – RMYS – The Jennifer Goldsmith Race
- 4 May 2025 – RBYC – Brighton Ladies Skippers Series
Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta (AWKR)
- 7, 8, 9 June 2025 – RMYS
For all enquiries, or if you would like more information on anything above, please contact [email protected].
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