By Christine and Michelle
It’s been a great season for our Women’s Sail and Social events, with consistent turnout and lots of new connections made along the way! These events have been a great opportunity to meet other women at BSC and build a community both on and off the water. Our women’s crew list has also been a great resource for connecting members and finding opportunities to sail together outside of our scheduled events.
We started the Women’s Sail and Social events to support the women’s community at the Boston Sailing Center. We have been planning events over the past two years to foster inclusivity in the wonderful sport of sailing by connecting, learning, and growing together on the water. Throughout this past season, we have already seen many new friendships grow. The current group ranges in age from mid-20s to 80 years young, making it a great opportunity for everyone to get involved! We make these events inclusive by sailing on sonars (23-ft long keelboats) and welcoming sailors of all skill levels. While we have experienced sailors who may take out the larger boats from time to time with crew, having the opportunity to explore the basics and include student members is a great way to build confidence and make sure everyone still feels supported in the sport.
During the season, we sail about every other week and follow the event with pizza and refreshments, similar to our full member events throughout the season! While we do not provide alcohol for these events, the ladies often provide their own provisions to share with the group. The goal is to minimize cost barriers while keeping the events casual, welcoming, and community-driven. While we cannot speak for everyone, these events are a great opportunity to unwind from the day and meet like-minded individuals. We are excited to continue these events through this season and into next year.
If you have any ideas or comments, please feel free to share. We are looking forward to offering more opportunities to get women out on the water next year!
We have two more events this season—join us for a Movie Night on September 25th and our final Women’s Sail & Brunch on October 18th. We’d love to see you there!
