Women on the Water (WOW)

Women on the Water (WOW)

Through a variety of educational and social activities, WOW aims to increase participation in sailing related events, from clinics to cruising to racing.

In 2009, Women on the Water (WOW) at American Yacht Club began as a Women’s Racing / Sailing initiative to get AYC women networking and involved in on the water recreational activities. Meanwhile at AYC there was movement to promote Long Island Sound women’s racing more broadly and to increase both the number of entrants and level of competitiveness at area events. These two efforts combined to join forces and not only bolster the women’s sailing initiative at AYC but to also increase participation across Long Island Sound and beyond.

Since WOW’s founding, countless women at AYC have learned the sailing basics, the fundamentals of racing, enjoyed full-moon kayak floats, brought their family to Family Fun Day regattas, joined Race Committee, team raced or fleet raced on Tuesday and Thursday nights, joined a crew for the Friday Night Sunset Series, joined the frostbite fleet, competed in the Queen’s Cup and regional women’s regattas, and two crews have gone to US Sailing Women’s Nationals to vie for the Adam’s Trophy after an over 40 year hiatus of an AYC team competing in that event.

Through networking, social events, and introducing new members to our WOW program, more and more AYC women are signing up for on the water activities. We see an increased number of women who are comfortable cruising and racing, which is evident in AYC’s recent showing at the LIS Women’s Championship for the Queen’s Cup Trophy, where we fielded 4 of the 11 teams. AYC has a deep history of women’s sailing and it is WOW’s hope and dream that women will continue to enjoy their time on the water, increase their knowledge, and participate in new and different cruising and racing activities. We aim to have more women represent AYC at local, regional, and national events, all while maintaining the fun and social aspect that adds to the unique qualities of the program.

Watch the website for ways to get on the water all year!

  • Frostbiting
  • Women’s chalk talks and clinics
  • Team Racing
  • Family Fun Days
  • Friday Night Sunset Series
  • Women’s Racing
  • Full Moon Floats
  • Jr. JAYC Sails