International Women’s Day at Sea: Why Representation in Sailing Matters
International Women’s Day is coming up on March 8th, and it is the perfect time to reflect on the impact of women sailors past and present, while also focusing on increasing representation in the future.
The Visibility Gap
Sailing has traditionally been a male-dominated field. Even today, men outnumber women boat owners 7 to 1! While there are still many female sailors and boaters out there, Unfortunately, the stories and contributions of women sailors are sometimes ignored and marginalized. This can cause other women to believe that sailing is not for them. Research consistently shows that people perform poorly at activities if they feel that they don’t belong or if the environment is unwelcoming. Thus, an absence of role models directly influences women’s participation rates, confidence, and retention in sailing. In addition, boats, gear, and safety equipment are designed primarily for male bodies, which can make female sailors feel unwelcome.
Representation Affects Outcomes
Inclusivity in sailing impacts the lives of women, the sailing industry, and broader society. Representation not only empowers women to do something that they might enjoy and grow from, but when women sailors take up space, manage risk, and lead under pressure, they challenge cultural stereotypes about gender roles and power. Likewise, sailing fosters many life skills such as trust in oneself, communication with a team, and resilience, and allowing women equal access to these experiences gives them equal access to the personal growth they offer.
Increasing Representation in Sailing
This International Women’s Day, consider supporting these efforts to expand the community of women sailors:
Discover and share the stories of women sailors – Countless stories written by and about women depict the thrilling experiences of women sailors. From autobiographies to documentaries, there are many ways to learn about women’s experiences. Check out these compelling sailing stories of women (and men) who have sailed with us in the Virgin Islands.
Learn to sail – Join the ranks of women sailors by taking beginner ASA courses on a learn to sail vacation in the Virgin Islands! Go Sail Virgin Islands, founded and owned by a female captain, strives to foster a safe and supportive learning environment for women.
Pursue educational and leadership roles in sailing – If you’re already a competent sailor, you can take your hobby to the next level and give teaching or a maritime career a try.
Engage with the “Women on the Water” initiative through American Sailing– This female-led program hosts a variety of educational opportunities and events throughout the year designed to foster technical skills, accessibility, and community for women in sailing.
On International Women’s Day, join Go Sail Virgin Islands in celebrating women sailors and committing to building a more inclusive future on the water.