TAS - Derwent Sailing Squadron

Derwent Sailing Squadron

Commodore: Steve Chau

Key female participation contact: Jo Breen–info@athenasailing.com.au

What SheSails activities does your club run?
Athena Women’s Sailing Program is run through the Derwent Sailing Squadron.The program owns four SB20's which are used for both training and racing. Australian Sailing Start Crewing Courses for women are run regularly to introduce new people to the sport. Our more experienced members form teams to compete in the SB20 racing, and in 2018 we had all for SB20s compete in the SB20 World Championships held in the Derwent River. This program has greatly increased the level of female participation in the SB20 class, and has also helped our female sailors to network with each other giving them further sailing opportunities, particularly in Keelboats.

How did you initiate the activities?
The Athena Program was established in 2016 through the generosity of Greame Woods and Anna Cerneaz, and recently became affiliated with the Derwent Sailing Squadron. This move allowed the program to begin delivering the Australian Sailing Keelboat training. 

What have the results of the activities been?
The Australian Sailing Start Crewing Courses for women have proved popular,with many of these participants now active members of twilight sailing teams.Our more experienced female SB20 participants have gone from strength to strength including winning the 2017 National SB20 Women's Champion Trophy and 2018 SB20 Women's World Champion Trophy. 

Did you have any challenges along the way? 
Our biggest hurdle has been making the program financially sustainable. There are many ongoing costs involved with maintaining and running the four boats. The program is aiming to find some additional sponsorship to assist with this for next season.

How do you promote your activities? 

The program and training courses are promoted through the Derwent Sailing Squadron's website and Facebook page. We then ask our members and other sailing groups to share this to get it out to the greater public. Athena Sailing also has a website which promotes our events and activities. 

What resources did you require?
Managing the program constitutes a casual part time job to ensure the maintenance of the boats, provide the training and administration for the program. Many of our more experienced women also volunteer their time to help training new sailors.

What impact is it having on participation at your club?
We are proud to now have more women than ever out racing in our SB20 series. The women improve from week to week in the competitive fleet, and this has encouraged other members to join in on the clubs training programs.