The WOW initiative encouraged Irish Sailing to invite the NYC to host its inaugural SIA Partners Women at the Helm Regatta in 2019.
Women at the Helm is an annual sailing regatta for dinghy and keelboat racing, where all boats are helmed (captained) by women. The event encourages women into positions of leadership, and to set an annual sailing goal – it may be a move from crew to helm, first time entry into a national event, or simply from a role ashore onto a boat. The aim is for women sailors to step up, lead the way, or support others to take the helm and be the best they can be, on and off the water.
The event sponsors Sia Partners Management Consultants has a long-standing relationship with Irish Sailing and the NYC their support for Women at the Helm brings their commitment to empowering people and supporting them in their leadership roles from the office to the water.
The event is open to both dinghy and keelboat racing, from teens to seniors. All are welcome to enter the event but helms and 50% of each crew must be women.
Prizes are awarded for Under-25 teams, all-women teams, over 60s and by class, including Ireland’s only club team prize of the Roy Family Club Perpetual Trophy.
The NYC hosted the event again very successfully in 2022, enhancing the Club’s reputation as a supporter and promoter of women in sailing.
CLICK HERE FOR PREVIOUS WOMEN AT THE HELM EDITIONS ARTICLES
In 2023 the Dublin Bay Sailing Club launched a Tuesday Night AIB DBSC Women on the Water Series, a new initiative to increase female participation in sailing. For boats helmed by a woman and with a minimum female compliment of 50% eligible classes were the SB20, Flying Fifteen, Sportboat, Ruffian 23 and B211, aimed at delivering competitive racing with handicaps across the different classes. This is a very welcome initiative which added an extra dimension to Tuesday evening racing.