womensailing.com
Women learn, process information and communicate differently. Understanding the gender differences is the new buzzword. For too long women have been expected to learn the way men do (in a linear fashion) and then treated as if there was something wrong with them because they struggled. New research and understanding the vast differences in genders shows that women are as capable as the male counterparts but just approach things differently.
The sport of sailing is taking on a new generation of women who have become top in their profession as Captains and trainers. Twenty years ago there were only a small handful of women who competed on the same level as men in this sport. Now more and more women are at the top of the sport and are the trainers rather than the trainees.
When 80% of women surveyed said they preferred to learn from women it was surprising that more sailing schools didn’t jump on it. (2007 Boats survey results, printed with permission) You didn’t need to tell women that however. Women have different concerns than men do, they need time to process and understand which is different than the way men learn, so they need an environment that is supportive for what they need. Women Captains and Instructors know these needs and can provide it with positive results.
More and more professional women recognized the needs of women and have started their own programs. The Women’s Sailing Connection (womensailing.com)
Women and couples can find classes, clinics, and seminars from basic to offshore advanced cruising opportunities. From a one-day seminar to a week long cruising course where they are submersed into to the lifestyle of sailing and cruising. The difference is that the woman’s needs are being addressed and acknowledged. The guys are happy because the girls are happy!
There are many local women’s’ organizations, which is very important to keep women connected. There are also lots of opportunities for women only excursions to exotic places like Greece and the BVI, where women are free to grow and excel.
Women are not settling for second place anymore. Nor do they have to accept being yelled or shoved to the side because they can’t keep up, which happens all too often in a group class with men. Put a woman in a supportive environment and watch her blossom! Give women the right environment and they will find ways to overcome issues specific to women and achieve those goals they might have thought were just dreams.
When you look at the statistics more than 55% of the population are visual learners. Most women are not only visual learners but they are very relational in the learning process (not linear). How does this relate to me? The new Sailing Wind Wheel (see sailingwindwheel.com)
The Women’s Sailing Connection membership is free and is full of resources, monthly give-aways, stories and articles important to women, products and services. By women and for women. . . (and the men who care about women)
