Women Making Waves training program empowers female boaters
The sight of more women taking the helm of boats and engaging in on-water training is becoming increasingly common. As a female captain, I’ve often found myself puzzled by the enthusiastic cheers I receive when docking a boat, large or small.
While these cheers likely come from a place of encouragement, they raise questions about persistent assumptions regarding women’s abilities in boating.
As a woman and owner-operator of Chesapeake Boating Academy, I am working hard to put our organization at the forefront of this movement. The academy is a local on-water training school with locations in Grasonville and Annapolis.
And while we offer on-water training to all boaters and experience levels, we are looking to expand the “Women Making Waves On-Water Training” to empower women to become confident and skilled boaters, regardless of their prior experience. Women are challenging the stereotype that they are aboard the boat solely as a first mate or passenger and we are here to support them.
Many women aspire to operate boats independently or with friends and family. They want a comprehensive knowledge of boat handling, including emergency scenarios like health issues or man overboard situations.
Our Women Making Waves program provides hands-on education covering safety procedures, navigation, equipment usage and boat-handling skills. Through practical demonstrations and guided practice, we equip participants with the confidence and proficiency to handle various boating situations.
Our curriculum encompasses essential skills such as operating single-engine boats, maneuvering at different speeds and handling boats in various conditions. Taught by a female U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain and National Safe Boating Council instructor, the program ensures tailored instruction addressing the unique needs of female boaters.
What sets this program apart is its focus on creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment. The class size is limited to a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio, allowing for personalized attention and guidance. And the course is open to women of all ages, with students as young as 12 years old welcome to participate.
The goal is to create a safe, comfortable and relaxed learning environment so women can learn without outside pressure. One of my greatest joys is watching women empower themselves and each other, knowing they are capable of obtaining and executing the skills to safely and confidently drive a boat.
We aren’t the only ones welcoming more women to the water. The Her Helm Project is a photojournalism series dedicated to sharing the inspiring stories of female captains, each with their own unique backgrounds and experiences.
Conceived and photographed by Kristin
Rutkowski, Her Helm has been on display throughout multiple galleries and published as a fine art book. The photos are dynamic and aim to not only shed light on the accomplishments of these women, but to also inspire and empower the next generation of female captains.
And the National Marine Manufacturer’s Discover Boating program has consistently taken the opportunity to spotlight outstanding women as captains, boating influencers, anglers and marine engineers.
If you are looking for a Women Making Waves course, please reach out to Chesapeake Boating Academy that offers this on-water training aboard its boats or private instruction aboard yours. You can also find other on-water training schools at locations around the country by visiting www.BoatUS.org.