Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 2

Only Girls Afloat initiative in Wales

by Hamish Stuart, RYA Cymru-Wales 14 Jun 2017 20:14 BST 10 June 2017

Almost 50 future sailors helped to launch the new Only Girls Afloat initiative in Wales, a programme designed to grow female participation in watersports.

The scheme, run by RYA Cymru Wales, is aimed at getting women and girls into sailing, windsurfing, powerboating and personal watercraft (jet skis), through working with RYA affiliated clubs and training centres.

The Wales wide programme, Only Girls Afloat/ Merched ar y Dŵr, was launched in Llandudno at one of their monthly girls only nights, after the project was piloted there last year.

There were 45 women and girls who took part in activities including dinghy sailing, yachting, powerboating and personal watercraft.

The programme was officially launched by Mary Meldrum, president of Conway Yacht Club who has sailed for over 50 years. "Get out and do it! Sailing made a massive difference to my life," she said.

The programme actively encourages social sailing and fun in a female friendly environment and facilities.

"The emphasis is as much on the social side as the training, it is all about sailing together and having fun," explained RYA Cymru Wales national development officer Ruth Iliffe.

"Any formalised training like Learn to Sail must take place in an RYA Training Centre environment, but this scheme is to help clubs to attract new members, have a more active membership and simply have fun.

"It is a Wales-wide programme funded by Sport Wales, any interested clubs should contact their RYA Cymru Wales regional club development officer."

RYA Cymru Wales North Wales development officer Rosy Hearn added, "The club or centre needs to identify an Agent within the organisation - they're an agent for change.

"The benefits include greater support from the RYA Cymru Wales development team, prioritised access to a community coach, Only Girls Afloat kit at a discounted rate, as well as use of the branding, publicity and promotion. It will also mean access to an Only Girls Afloat Ambassador "Llandudno sailing club did a fantastic job supporting the event with some token males – or honourary women – helpers!

"This is a great start and we look forward to rolling this scheme out all around Wales."

Related Articles

Welsh Regional Junior Championships
74 boats have a glorious weekend alongside a number of Welsh Sailing initiatives The event was hosted with Dale Yacht Club, Celtic Sea Watersports and Windswept Watersports and attracted a total of 74 entries, including 18 sailors keen to develop their racing skills in the coached regatta fleet. Posted on 25 Jun
Welsh team display winning ways at Celtic Cup
Youth and junior sailors putting their skills to the test against Scotland and Northern Ireland What an adventure! The Celtic Cup 2025 saw youth and junior sailors from Wales putting their racing skills to the test against teams from Scotland and Northern Ireland. Posted on 3 Feb
RYA Welsh Youth and Junior Championships
Nearly 100 sailors took part in an epic weekend of racing at Pwllheli Nearly 100 sailors from across Wales and beyond took part in an epic weekend of racing at Pwllheli for the Welsh Youth & Junior Championships. Posted on 24 Sep 2024
Welsh Dragon Series
Nearly 100 youth and junior sailors took part in traveller events during 2024 Nearly 100 youth and junior sailors took part in Dragon Series traveller events across Wales during the 2024 season to develop and test their racing skills. Posted on 4 Sep 2024
Victory for young Welsh sailors at Celtic Cup
Youth and junior sailors battle at Pwllheli Welsh youth and junior sailors claimed the Celtic Cup on home waters at Pwllheli over a weekend of close competition with teams from Scotland and Northern Ireland. Posted on 13 Feb 2024
Sian Reynolds appointed Chair of RYA Cymru Wales
Making history as the first female and youngest in the role The Royal Yachting Association Cymru Wales (RYA CW) has today announced the appointment of Sian Reynolds as Chair of its Board. Sian's appointment makes history as she is the first female Chair and also the youngest Chair of RYA CW's Board. Posted on 24 Oct 2022
Calling Boating Coaches and Instructors
Encouraged to help COVID-19 efforts by RYA Cymru Wales RYA Cymru Wales is encouraging sailing coaches and instructors to help out in their communities during the current COVID-19 crisis. Posted on 23 Mar 2020
RYA Cymru Wales closely reviews COVID-19 virus
The Youth Nationals are still scheduled to be going ahead As things stand, we have received no recommendation for postponing or cancelling upcoming championships, but we will continue to monitor and follow advice from relevant government agencies including Public Health Wales. Posted on 13 Mar 2020
Huw wins RYA Musto Regional Youth Award for Wales
Huw Farmer, Welsh Number One and now a UK award winner The 15-year-old's success on the water and massive contribution off it at his club Llangorse, mean he was presented the RYA Musto Regional Youth Award for Wales at the RYA Dinghy Show. Posted on 7 Mar 2020
Welsh clubs urged to bid for Magenta Day
Boost female sailing with International Women's Day on Sunday Welsh sailing clubs can still apply to run a Magenta Day to boost female sailing, with International Women's Day on Sunday as a useful reminder to register interest. Posted on 6 Mar 2020