Boating is no longer simply reserved for the men of this world. An increasing variety of ladies have developed a interest for crusing and are starting to take command of the helm. Here’s how to get involved as a woman and fulfill your sailing dreams.
For a long time, both men and women have enjoyed being out at sea , but in various ways. Formerly, the stereotypical woman was ignorant of how to ride a watercraft and lacked the courage to take command, leaving all obligation to the men at the helm, while she sunned herself on deck or entertained the kids. The position of a lady, if any, was to handle the lines while her partner shouted commands.
Fast forward to the present day and ladies are more and more getting involved in motorboats, from racing to pleasure sailing, and the concept that they are second-in-command is being left behind.
They did it, so can you
Females of all ages are now creating names for themselves on the boating scene. Norwegian Marit Stromoy is one such example, having built a prosperous and rewarded profession in F1 powerboat racing since 1989, achieving World Record speeds in 1992. She is one of the only female drivers competing in this year’s F1H20 powerboat racing World Championships, representing the Azerbaijan Team.
American yachtswoman Maureen McKinnon-Tucker is yet another triumph story. Although in a wheelchair, she sails competitively and won a silver medal in 2007 as the first woman in the U.S. Disabled Sailing Team and a gold medal in the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008. She was also honored with the annual Leadership in Females’s Sailing Award in 2009 (co-sponsored by Boat U.S. and the National Women’s Sailing Association) presented to inspiring women.
The more mature woman is also opting for a life on the water. Jeanne Socrates, a 67-year-old grandmother, is attempting to sail solo around the world, starting at Canada’s Victoria Harbour. Following her spouse’s death in 2003, she took charge of the helm herself. In spite of some frustrating setbacks last year, she continues in her mission with a passion unusual for a woman who learnt the ropes at the age of 51.
On the water, Mars vs Venus
Men and women normally possess different priorities and ideals on board. Men typically take responsibility for the technical features such as engine checking and maintenance while ladies think a lot more about the aesthetics. On top of that, men have a tendency to be much more daring and ready to sail solo while women would rather security and companionship when out on a boat. When issues come up, they react differently; ladies tend to feel embarrassed while men get frustrated. This stems from the fact that most men really like a challenge while women~ladies~females} would rather be correctly trained.
Like driving a car, some women also argue that watercraft are handled much better and gentler under their control; they don’t gun the engines to make a maneuver in tight quarters or try to show off their know-how or skills.
Although women are starting to find their own place in the boating world, it doesn’t indicate that men and ladies can’t co-exist peacefully on board. It’s merely a question of forming eachother’s positions and tasks. The dynamic is dependent on quite a few variables such as the type and size of the boat.
Make it happen
There is a natural trend for females to learn the ins and outs of boating from her spouse or other men, but they need their own training too, something that appeals to their individual needs and sensibilities. And there are an increasing number of women-only programs on the net to meet the demand.
Dream or Two Ltd, an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) accredited Training Centre, offers crusing courses run by female skippers who provide holistic training particular to ladies’s needs. They are mainly centered on building self confidence when in command of a vessel. For them, the main reasons that females take the course are that crusing challenges them, puts them in control and takes them out of their routine, while supplying both mental and physical exercise.
Woman in Boating, a program run by Sea Ray, also teaches women the boating ropes. Their comprehensive programs work on increasing ladies’s self confidence and skills through practical classes and theory workshops in which they focus on docking, anchoring and driving.
In the US, Sea Sense runs exclusive “On Your Own Boat” ladies~women} only programs or private teaching personalized to your needs. The Boat Owners Association of the US also has a Woman In Boating division which operates a full calendar of crusing conferences, workshops and conventions aimed at ladies, as well as offering the newest news linked to the female boating community.
Finally, there’s some good reading material on the net to improve females on their way to the helm. “It’s Your Boat Too: A Woman’s Guide to Greater Enjoyment on the Water” by Suzanne Giesemann encourages ladies to consider a greater position on board by dealing with typical concerns and self-limiting attitudes. She shares the nautical know-how necessary to become a safer, more capable, and positive female boater.
Useful websites:
www.sailingwomen.co.uk
www.searay.com
www.boatus.com/Women/WBTraining.asp
www.seasenseboating.com