Women on Water

Contact details of personal responsible for this division:

THE WOMEN'S SAILING DIVISION OF TYPBC

Women On Water is designed to give women of all ages and from all walks of life the opportunity to experience sailing in both a racing and non-racing capacity. Established in 2001, the concept of taking complete beginners out sailing on the Tauranga harbour now attracts over 100 women each WOW night during the summer season.  Through WOW, many of us have gained the skills and knowledge required to sail proficiently and many now crew regularly and even own their own yachts.

The WOW summer series, sponsored by Mills Reef Wines, comprises 9 sails starting on Thursday 3rd November then each fortnight up to Xmas, restarting on 26th January 2012.  Everyone must pre-register and sign on to be allocated to a boat.  It is important to get to the club by 5.15pm otherwise you may find yourself left on the dock.  Due to the staggered Mark Foy start the smaller, slower boats must leave the dock by 5.30pm but faster boats can leave a bit later, but it’s best to be early.  After the sail we encourage everyone to come to the club for prize giving, spot prizes, raffles and to purchase WOW merchandise.  It’s a great time to get to know your skipper and crew.  A buffet meal is available and the bar is open so come join us for a night of sailing and fun with lots of other like-minded women. Here’s how it all happens...

Registration

In order to allocate participants to the available boats you must register by the Tuesday prior to sailing. 
To register, please phone or text Delwyn Hodgson on 021 244-2040 or email wow.tauranga@gmail.com.  Provide your full name, contact phone number, age and whatever previous sailing experience you have, if any. If you have already been to WOW you may request a particular boat. 

Sign On

For legal purposes we need to know who is out on the water so ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN ON before going to a boat.  This takes place each WOW day in the TYPBC Clubhouse at Sulphur Point, Tauranga, from 5:00 to 5:30pm. An Individual Safety Declaration form must be completed the first time you participate and you will also be given a wallet-sized WOW Passport, a handy reference of dates and registration info.  We will record in your passport each WOW night you attend.  You are then required to pay a fee (regardless of whether you are in the cruising or racing division), whichever is applicable to you:

Arrival Time

WOW starting system is called the Mark Foy system, which sees a staggered start to the race. The race starts at 6:00pm, each boat having been told over the VHF radio their designated start time according to their predetermined handicap.  It is suggested that you arrive at the Clubhouse before 5:15 p.m. so you have time to sign on before getting to your boat by 5:30pm. Try to allow plenty of time to accommodate the commuter traffic, and phone or text your skipper or Delwyn if you’re running late.

What to Wear and Bring            

Weather, wind and general sailing conditions will dictate what you wear. However, there are a few standard items you should bring

After Sailing                                 

All participants are invited to the Clubhouse after each sail for prize giving, spot prizes and raffles. Reasonably priced meals and a full bar service is also available. Partners and family members are welcome to join you. WOW merchandise is available for purchase including shirts, jackets, caps, and more.

WOW Divisions                               

Participating boats may sail in one of two divisions for the 9 race series. Boat sizes range from 6m trailer yachts to 12m keeler yachts.
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.  Following the same given course as the race boats these boats are not permitted to use a spinnaker or gennaker, ie. it is a no-extras division.
The Racing Division is designed for those with a little more experience and who want to feel the exhilaration of racing.  Following the same given course as the cruising boats these boats are racing for prize money made up from their racing entry fees and are permitted to use all sails available to them.

WOW for Beginners                                            

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 your physically being there is already doing a job.  As the wind increases, the boat will 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 participation and sitting with others on the rail, and the opportunity to sail on our wonderful harbour.

 WOW Calendar for 2011-2012 season

Race 1
3rd November 2011           -        Summary & Results Race 1

Race 2
17th November 2011        -         Summary & Results Race 2

Race 3
1st December 2011         -          Summary & Results Race 3
3rd December 2011         -          WOW 10th birthday party – see Waterline article by Megan Harris ....see gallery for more photos
10/11th December 2011  -         Lake Rotoiti WOW regatta
Race 4
15th December 2011       -          Sailing cancelled but tuition given at clubhouse - read more...Summary of Tuition

Race 5
26th January 2012          -            Summary & Results Race 5  
Race 6
9th February 2012           -            Summary & Results Race 6
18/19th February 2012  -         Lake Rotoiti WOW regatta staying overnight at a beach on the lake
Race 7
23rd February 2012
Race 8
8th March 2012

Race 9
22nd March 2012

wow committee    2011-2012

We welcome any comments or suggestions to improve WOW if you have any comments please contact Megan Harris on 578-7105 or 027 5232811 or email wow.tauranga@gmail.com

WOW Sponsors     

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