Sailing is a sport practised all around New Zealand.

It has risen in popularity thanks to all the world championships which lead the best teams and their amazing vessels to sail around the globe, moved by the wind and the passion for the ocean.

Tauranga is not out of the gaze of sailing lovers, and there is an organisation at the heart of the city which, for almost 23 years, has been encouraging women to get involved, learn, and get sailing to the next level.

Women on Water began in 2001 with two female members of Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club who saw a need to encourage women to try sailing in a fun, safe and non-threatening environment.

“We want to offer the women above 18 years old who live in the Bay of Plenty to experience a taste of sailing in the beautiful Tauranga harbour. We are now more than 100 women who sail with every summer season. It is something special,” Women On Water chairman Jackie Kelly.

The events will take place fortnightly on Thursdays and are open to women with profound knowledge of sailing and also to those with no experience at all who want to develop some skills in a sport that has put New Zealand on the world stage.

“WOW’s primary focus is to provide and facilitate opportunities for women to sail with the aim of improving their competency and enjoyment of the sport,” says Jackie

The women who join the 2023 -2024 sailing season, will be participating in different modalities, and according to their skills and experience on the water they can choose between the racing division and the training division.

“The first one is designed to give women the opportunity to race against each other in a fun, safe and competitive environment, the second one is designed for newcomers to the sport or for those who don’t yet have the confidence or experience to compete in the Racing Division,” says the spokesperson of Women On Water.

The registration evening for the new season is this Thursday, October 12, at 5.30pm, and the final sailing event will take place on Sunday, April 7.

For more information about Women On Water visit:  https://yacht.org.nz/women-on-water