Women from sailing clubs across Ireland gathered at Lough Derg Yacht Club on Sunday, 8 November, for the inaugural Women on the Water Wavemakers Forum, an event dedicated to sharing experiences, celebrating progress and exploring ways to grow women's participation in sailing.
The forum brought together speakers and participants from across the sailing community for a day of discussion, practical advice and shared experiences. Throughout the event, women spoke meaningfully about sailing, participation, advocacy and visibility, giving these words new meaning through their own experiences, achievements and ideas for the future of the sport.
The morning programme featured opening remarks from Nancy Rooney of the Irish Sailing Board, an appearance by award-winning poet Dr Eleanor Hooker and an overview of women’s participation and inclusion from Oonagh Healy, Irish Sailing’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Sonia Boehringer of Lough Derg Yacht Club shared practical advice on organising Women on the Water events, while Jill Somerville discussed The Road to Women at the Helm.
The afternoon turned to media, storytelling and advocacy, with Irish Sailing Communications Executive Lisa Jean O’Reilly delivered a practical guide on covering sailing events, offshore sailor Nicole Hemeryck explored the benefits of participation programmes for young women, and Dearbháil Foley of Tralee Bay Sailing Club speaking on Setting the Sail. A panel featuring Rosemary Cadogan, Commodore of the National Yacht Club, and Mairéad Ní Cheallacháin, National Race Officer, shared their experiences before an open Q&A with all speakers and closing remarks from former Irish Sailing President Sue Concannon.
The inaugural forum provided an opportunity for women at different stages of their sailing journeys to connect, exchange ideas and learn from one another. With clubs represented from across the country, the discussions highlighted the importance of visibility, shared experience and continued collaboration in creating more opportunities for women in the sport.
Irish Sailing would like to thank Lough Derg Yacht Club for hosting the inaugural Wavemakers Forum, along with all the speakers and participants who contributed to the day!
All photos from the day are available here.