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Dudes The third and final part of our Grrrl Power article. Enjoy. They answered the questions effortlessly, providing sage advice to all sailors looking to get into or move forward in their racing and sailing. Although directed toward women, the advice wasn't gender-specific. Lynn told of how she has often been the only woman on a 20-person crew. Her ability to be part of these programs is not only due to her having proved herself on the boat, but also because of her total commitment to the programs she is part of. She's earned the respect needed to manage some very competitive big boat crews by doing all of those extra things aboard and ashore: coming early, staying late, helping out whenever she can, and using her organizational and computer talent to help skippers manage the crew and logistics. Lynn emphasized that a high level of commitment to a program gives you a comfort level with that boat, crew, and owner, which allows you to really enjoy the destinations, the people, the parties, and, most importantly, the sailing. That same commitment gets recognized by the sailing community and can often lead to greater opportunities. Lynn believes that it takes great owners to open their boats up to women and an understanding crew to accept her the first time around. Then it's up to her to prove her stuff. Sandi emphasized networking skills and the ability to be confident and seize random opportunities when they present themselves. She explained that you have to seize on the many opportunities to meet people-particularly other women-who can help you grow and learn as a sailor. Making friends with competitors at one regatta has frequently led to crewing for them at bigger and more interesting events. Schoenherr really is a fixture in Detroit, and she had some great suggestions for anyone trying to advance their sailing career. She stressed taking the initiative to express your passion and interest in racing to whomever you should meet; that a chance conversation in a bar on an island can lead to new rides and experiences. She told us to dig in and push ourselves to learn everything we can and to take the time to compete at out-of-town regattas whenever possible in order to network and learn from new conditions and competitors. Deb recommended that we learn every position on every boat we sail, study tactics, weather, sail trim and everything else that wins races, and then commit to situations where we can do what interests us the most. All three women have, at times, had to fight many of the outdated, sexist ideas that insecure guys will use in attempts to isolate women from some aspects of the sport. We all need to continue to confront them whenever the need arises while also recognizing that, in most cases some of the greatest opportunities for advancing our sailing goals have and will come from men. We need to take initiative, follow through, and have fun. Deb told us of one of the many times Dawn Riley showed how it's done. At a very young age, she surprised everyone at the Club by not only taking the initiative to borrow a boat and fill it with crew, but then she entered the race and drove to a bullet. Lynn, Sandi and Deb had clearly prepared their presentation expecting more women, and said as much. They were happy to answer the questions from the overwhelmingly male crowd, but they told everyone to do their part to bring more women to the dance. I echo their sentiment for so many reasons. Girls, tell your friends how amazing this sport is! Explain to your single, hetero girl friends that the racing guy-girl ratio is currently 20 to 1 or better, that they'll have their pick of tan, athletic and usually well-educated guys, and that racing sailboats is a great workout and builds an awesome tan. Once aboard, help them understand the technical aspects of sailing as so many women find they have a knack for it. Help them learn that sailing lessons are accessible and fairly inexpensive, that doublehanding is a great way to weed out insecure and unresourceful men, and that there are few ways to be closer to nature than by using her to power your way across the water in an exciting and fun way.
After the seminar, I spent some time talking with the three sailors. Their words and the overall event left me with a big shift in my perception about opportunities in Detroit and beyond. Since moving back to Detroit last September, having only sailed here one summer in ten, I had definitely felt an adjustment period that was sometimes stressful in terms of understanding the new racing venues, events, and crew scenarios (the DRYA consists of 28 clubs and associations). Fortunately, through an invitation from an SA contact, I was able to network onto a Sydney 36 when I arrived; survived the "audition" race for the BYC Fall Series, raced the season as trimmer, and received the invite to Key West. But I wondered about the fullness of opportunity for women here and the opportunity to give back to the sport. The information presented by the seminar, the great pictures and videos that warmed the cold night, and the collegial bonding we shared reminded me to focus on the fun challenges of wind, waves, currents and shoals instead of any misperceptions of women in the sport that might exist from time to time. These women, and women and men around the world are dedicated to helping this be a more balanced sport. With people like these and with all of your help we should be able to get it done. We can start by telling everyone within a thousand miles about upcoming events for women like the ones below. In the meantime, thanks to all of the men and women who've taken a chance on me and helped me to become a better sailor and person. You're great, I can't ever express my gratitude enough, and you know who you are.
Bayview Yacht Club's Women's Invitational Regatta August 19-20,
2006 This two day clinic and regatta will feature internationally renowned instructors for on-the-water, classroom, and video debrief sessions. National champions will sail an exciting match racing exhibition with live commentary explaining the whats, wheres and hows of the race. There will be four classes of racing on two courses for every level of female sailor from the newest beginner to the most advanced helm. PHRF, OD and IRC classes will be included. Three tasty meals and entertainment will be provided along with the Saturday clinics for only $100, and racing registration is $50 for course 1 and $60 for course 2. The early registration deadline is May 1, 2006, with early registration discounts. For more information, contact Lynn Kotwicki or visit Bayview Yacht Club.
September 6th
- 10th Boats: J-24's Contact: www.ussaiing.org/championships or debi-s@comcast.net
Date TBA See www.ussailing.org/championships
or www.byc.com for details |