SheSails

About SheSails

SheSails Logo

SheSails is an Australia-wide initiative that aims to:

promote and celebrate women and girls' participation in the sport of sailing

provide new and existing female sailors with the opportunity to enjoy activities at their local sailing club with like-minded people

provide clubs with visual materials and case studies to help grow female participation in recreational and competitive sailing, and

develop a platform to feature female-focused events and programs across the country.

Women's Sailing at the GRYC

In 2018, the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club set aside a race in the Winter Series as a dedicated women’s helm race, and created coaching and practice sessions to ensure participants would have the experience and confidence to participate. Since then, the women’s sailing program has continued to grow with increasing participation and a range of formal and informal training opportunities. Beginning with the 2020-2021 season, the women's helm race has expanded into a four race series held as part of the club's summer twilight racing season.

This growth has culminated in the creation in May 2021 of a SheSails sub-committee chaired by past Commodore Louise Edwards. The SheSails sub-committee will promote women's sailing within the GRYC by:

providing advice to the GRYC General Committee on training, racing, cruising and other activities to increase women’s participation in sailing and on-water activities and increase the proportion of women members

contributing to the coordination, organisation, implementation and promotion of programmed activities aimed at increasing women’s participation in sailing and on-water activities

providing a support and mentoring network for women members, and

contributing to GRYC planning relevant to women and girls’ involvement in sailing and on-water activities, including infrastructure and asset development

31 January 2022

MEDIA RELEASE
Bleasdale Vineyards announces partnership with Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club and She Sails events.

Bleasdale Vineyards is pleased to announce its new partnership with the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club, and sponsorship of the She Sails events.

Bleasdale has many connections with sailing throughout its 172-year history, with founder Frank Potts having joined the British Royal Navy as a child and completing a circumnavigation of the globe. Once he settled in Australia, Frank built numerous boats for himself, including sail boats, ketches, and paddle-steamers. Frank’s love of boats was passed on to his children, with one of his sons, Fred Potts, building a yacht in 1890 that still survives today. Fittingly, Fred’s yacht, named the ‘Brigand’, now calls Goolwa its home.

To celebrate the partnership, Bleasdale has produced a special wine for the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club called the ‘Brigand’ Shiraz; named for the aforementioned yacht that shares a special connection with both Goolwa and Bleasdale.

Bleasdale General Manager, Leigh Warren, is pleased to partner with another local organization and is excited for the year ahead.

“This partnership felt like a natural connection for Bleasdale, given the history of the Potts family and sailing,” says Leigh. “We’re looking forward to supporting the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club and its She Sails events over the coming year, and will hopefully get down to the Club to share a glass or two of Bleasdale!”

“The she sails program is a great national initiative, actively promoting women and girls to have a go at sailing and it’s really exciting that Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club have embraced this program with four events in 2022.”