A SheSails Discover Sailing Day is a fantastic opportunity to welcome more women and girls into your club, introduce them to sailing and showcase the different ways they can get involved.

For many women and girls, visiting a sailing club or trying sailing for the first time can feel daunting. Hosting a dedicated SheSails Discover Sailing Day creates a welcoming and supportive environment where participants can meet other women, ask questions and experience just how fun, safe, accessible and affordable sailing can be.

1)       Introduce more women and girls to sailing

Hosting a SheSails Discover Sailing Day gives your club the opportunity to reach women and girls who may not have considered sailing before. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate that sailing is welcoming and accessible to women and girls of different ages, backgrounds, abilities and experience levels.

Clubs can invite local schools, community groups, sporting organisations, workplaces and women’s networks to attend and learn more about the opportunities available.

2)       Create a welcoming first experience

A positive first experience can make a big difference to whether someone feels confident returning to a club.

A SheSails Discover Sailing Day provides a relaxed environment where participants can meet female sailors, instructors, volunteers and club members, ask questions and feel more comfortable getting involved.

3)       Showcase female role models

Seeing women actively involved across all areas of a sailing club can help new participants picture themselves becoming part of the sport.

Your event is an opportunity to involve female sailors, coaches, instructors, officials, volunteers and committee members. By sharing their experiences, they can introduce participants to the many different pathways available within sailing.

4)       Boost membership

Women-only come-and-try days are also a proven membership driver. For many women and girls, the biggest barrier to trying a new sport is feeling confident about walking into a mixed session as a complete beginner. A dedicated women-only Discover Sailing Day removes that barrier by creating a low-pressure environment where new participants can learn the basics alongside other newcomers.

Clubs that have run these days and sessions often report strong conversion from “come and try” to sign-up. Over time, this can help build a growing community of women within the club, who may also encourage friends, partners and family members to get involved.

5)       Strengthen your club community

Hosting a SheSails Discover Sailing Day can strengthen your club by engaging existing members. It gives female members the opportunity to share their skills, support new participants and showcase the range of roles women already hold across the club, from recreational sailing and racing to coaching, officiating and leadership.

It can also help clubs strengthen existing programs, identify opportunities to grow participation and create clearer pathways for women and girls to stay involved over the longer term.

6)       Growing the volunteer base

The benefits can also extend beyond participation. Clubs are consistently short of race officials, instructors, coaches and committee members, and women can be under-represented in these roles simply because they have not had a clear entry point.

A SheSails Discover Sailing Day can help create that pathway. Participants who first join as sailors may go on to gain instructing accreditation, volunteer at future events or take on committee roles as they become more involved and build a sense of belonging within the club.

Some clubs have found these days directly recruit volunteers on the spot — women who came along to try the sport end up staying to help run the next day or session. 

Marketing Support

To support clubs in planning and delivering a successful Discover Sailing Day, we have developed a step-by-step guide covering the key stages of event preparation and delivery, along with an online guide to setting up the event in REVSPORT.

Dedicated SheSails marketing resources are available through the Discover Sailing Month Resource Hub, including editable Canva templates, posters, flyers and social media graphics to use for promotion.

For activities delivered through the Sail Our Way Funding Program, a range of customised promotional assets, banners, and an event checklist are available in the Sail Our Way Marketing Toolkit HERE.

SheSails branded merchandise, including tote bags, keyrings, stickers and sun visors, are also available to support eligible events.

Australian Sailing’s Club Support team is available to assist clubs with planning and promoting their Discover Sailing Day. For more information or clarification, please contact your relevant state or territory General Manager here.