Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Sailors celebrate Women on Water with online festival

by Emma Blee 23 Jun 2020 06:55 BST
Carrickfergus Sailing Club Women on Water festival in 2019 © Belfast Lough Sailability

Women with a passion for sailing have joined together for an online "off the water festival" to celebrate everything the sport has to offer.

The second Women on Water festival had been planned at Carrickfergus Sailing Club but due to Covid-19 it was moved online.

The festival brings together like-minded women who have been involved in sailing from a young age or as part of the recent Women on Water programmes. The low cost programme runs each year in clubs right across Northern Ireland and is open to women of all abilities. A four-week programme, it teaches the basics of sailing and there are lots of social opportunities.

RYA Northern Ireland's Active Clubs co-ordinator, Lisa McCaffrey explained: "Women on Water is a fantastic programme and this year was to be the second year of our Festival. Our plans had to change but we were still able to hold a very enjoyable online festival and it was a lovely opportunity for everyone to catch up and share insights and information, as well as having a good chat in what has been difficult times for many."

During the online festival, RYA Northern Ireland's Development Officer, Mary Martin, delivered an interactive workshop. This included a discussion on the Women on Water programme and how it could be developed going forward.

RYA Northern Ireland also provided valuable information on RYA qualifications, including instructor and official qualifications. The participants were able to find out about the benefits of the qualifications, such as delivering sessions at their local club which would allow more people to learn to sail, developing their own boating knowledge and also the potential career opportunities.

The Women on Water Leadership Group then hosted a quiz, with Jennifer Bryce, a graduate from the very first Women on Water programme in 2016, winning a free ticket to next year's festival which will take place at Carrickfergus Sailing Club.

Speaking after the festival, Jennifer commented: "The talk was very informative and has encouraged me to work towards the Dinghy Instructor qualification. It would be wonderful to be able to teach other women, as I started with the Women on Water course a couple of years ago and have been slightly obsessed with sailing ever since!

"Just before lockdown I bought a GP14, with the exciting plans to compete in the GP14 Worlds event in the summer but that has been postponed. My crew, Lara Sunday, also completed the Women on Water course last summer and we got to know each other at the first festival. I can't wait to take my boat out on the water as I haven't even sailed it yet. This time last year I was out sailing four or five times a week, I am getting serious withdrawal symptoms!"

RYA Northern Ireland reminds all sailors to Be Considerate, Be Conservative and Stay Safe when taking to the water. More information and guidance is available at www.rya.org.uk/rya-regions/rya-ni/knowledge-base/Pages/COVID-19-Informaton.aspx

Related Articles

Women on Water Festival at Ballyholme
RYA Northern Ireland host event for 40 newcomers This past weekend, RYA Northern Ireland hosted its Women on Water Festival at Ballyholme Yacht Club, giving attendees with little or no experience in sailing the opportunity to explore a variety of water-based activities. Posted on 5 Jun
Northern Irish sailors shine at RS Feva Nationals
Ben McCaldin finished as first junior All Northern Irish sailors made it into the Gold Fleet, which represents the top selection of boats after the initial races, highlighting the quality of local sailors here in Northern Ireland. Posted on 28 May
A united bid for clean water in Northern Ireland
7 water-based National Governing Bodies have come together to tackle the problem Seven of Northern Ireland's water-based National Governing Bodies have come together to tackle the growing issue of polluted water in Northern Ireland. Posted on 2 Apr
RYA N. Ireland launch Sailing Team Website
Proud to support sailors from Northern Ireland RYA Northern Ireland is pleased to announce the launch a new website specifically dedicated to the Northern Ireland Sailing Team. Posted on 14 Feb
NI Sailing Team dominate Celtic Cup
The Northern Ireland Sailing Team emerged victorious Despite some tight racing against sailors from Wales and Scotland, the Northern Ireland Sailing Team emerged victorious at the Celtic Cup trophy on the 1st and 2nd of February after winning every possible team event and the overall trophy. Posted on 7 Feb
RYA Northern Ireland Celebrates 50th Anniversary
With dinner at Harbour Commissioner's Office in Belfast 140 guests from across the United Kingdom gathered at The Harbour Commissioner's Office in Belfast as The Royal Yachting Association of Northern Ireland celebrated its 50th Anniversary at a commemorative dinner. Posted on 22 Oct 2024
RYA Northern Ireland recognises sailing stars
During its annual awards at the Crowne Plaza in Belfast Eight unsung heroes of sailing and boating have been recognised by RYA Northern Ireland at its annual awards. Posted on 23 Apr 2023
Sailing clubs in Northern Ireland get support
RYA Active Clubs programme responds to surge in membership With a surge of people taking to the water this Summer, there has been an increase in demand for courses at sailing clubs right across Northern Ireland. Posted on 19 Aug 2022
RYA Northern Ireland Youth Forum
Members celebrate successful year A group of young sailors have joined together to celebrate as they mark a successful year of the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Forum. The celebration event took place at Carrickfergus SC with guests representing RYA Clubs across N. Ireland in attendance. Posted on 30 Apr 2022
COVID Recovery Programme for Sports Organisations
Application process now open in Northern Ireland The programme will support eligible organisations which have been negatively affected by the pandemic in the financial year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022. Posted on 8 Jan 2022