The Cruising Division sees newcomers to the sport going out with skippers who are keen to share their knowledge and provide tips on safe boating and general crewing skills.

The Racing Division is designed for those with a little more experience and who want to feel the exhilaration of racing.



WOW and the Novice Lady Sailor
By Lise Mackie
 
I was recently asked a very good question by a person who has never sailed in her life.  She noted that each date on our Women On Water (WOW) calendar is designated as a “race” and wondered what options were available for complete novices who may be intimidated by the idea of racing.
 
To answer her inquiry, each WOW night, although termed a "race", is actually designed for both racing and non-racing boats.  Complete beginners are assigned to what we call "cruising" boats, which are captained by experienced skippers who are very willing and able to take absolute beginners onto their boat with them.  In fact, most of these skippers have at times raced their boat with only one other person onboard (known as “two-handed”) so they are very apt at handling their boats.
 
While cruising boats tend to follow the course set for that evening’s WOW race, the pace and atmosphere on the boat is a lot more relaxed than on the racing boats.  Cruising skippers are not permitted to hoist a spinnaker, which means you won't go as fast as the racing boats nor do you have to deal with the sometimes temperamental sail.  A final perk is that if the wind dies, you don't have to complete the course like the racing boats - you just cruise home and have a wine at the dock.
 
But even if you’re brand new to sailing on a trailer sailor or keel boat, don't think you're being a burden! The beauty of being on these boats is that you physically being there is already doing a job.  As the boats get a little wind, they start to tilt.  The skipper will have you sit on the side of the boat with your legs dangling over the side to help counteract that tilt with your weight. 
 
So although you may feel like you're not doing anything as a beginner, you've already helped the skipper and the boat!  Plus you are being exposed to what sailing is all about - the movement of the boat, the terminology of sailing, the camaraderie of sitting with others on the rail, and the opportunity to sail on our wonderful harbour.