More opportunities for women sailors
A new initiative has been unveiled which aims to encourage more women to take up sailing, compete in yacht racing and consider careers in the marine industry within the UK.
The Magenta Project, which promotes gender parity in sailing, and the charter firm Sunsail have launched Sunsail Magenta.
The programme will deliver a number of sailing activities, including women-only RYA sailing courses, race training courses, career opportunities and mentoring programmes.
It will also offer opportunities to participate in mixed-gender crews at events like Cowes Week.
In December 2019, the World Sailing Trust published its Strategic Review into Women in Sailing, which garnered the views of over 4,500 people from across the sport in 75 countries. It found that 59% of female respondents and 14% of men had experienced discrimination. In female offshore sailors this increased to over 89%. Incidents included sexual harassment, race protests being unacknowledged and being passed over for crewing roles. The review also highlighted the barriers created by the lack of opportunities, role models and women in key positions in sailing, which contributed to young women leaving the sport.
Gender inequality was highlighted off the water too, with 57% of female respondents involved in yacht club management and 62% involved in club administration both reporting experiencing gender bias. Chair of the World Sailing Trust and Sunsail ambassador, Dee Caffari, said the review showed a lack of opportunities for women in sailing and a shortage of coaching encouraging progression.
‘With Sunsail now working alongside The Magenta Project as Sunsail Magenta, they will aim to address these issues by creating a supportive environment for women to gain the skills and confidence required for their chosen path,’ she said. Sunsail Magenta courses will be held at Sunsail’s Portsmouth sailing school.