The SAILWISE Project, launched in 2024, is dedicated to increasing the participation of women in sailing while supporting the sport’s overall growth and development. Addressing the underrepresentation of women in sailing, the project confronts societal expectations and biased attitudes that perpetuate gender inequality in the sport.
Despite societal progress, gender disparity remains a significant challenge in sports across Europe, particularly in sailing. Statistics reveal a clear imbalance: only 16% of sailors are women, with males dominating 84% of the demographic. Data from regatta registrations further highlights the issue, with just 16% of competitors being female. A 2019 survey by the World Sailing Trust found that 80% of women and 56% of men perceive gender balance as a critical issue in sailing—a concern that intensifies with age. These findings underscore the urgent need for initiatives like the SAILWISE Project to address inequities and foster inclusivity in the sport.
The SAILWISE Project has set out to:
- Promote inclusivity and gender equity within sailing
- Create a welcoming and supportive environment that inspires a sense of community and inclusion
- Increase female participation in sailing
- Reduce high dropout rates and build sustainable sailing skills
- Enhance representation of women in communications and marketing highlighting opportunities, achievements and benefits of increased participation for women and girls.
Empowering Women Through Innovative Training
The SAILWISE Project focuses on creating impactful tools and training to address gender disparity in sailing. A key output is a Good Practices Guide on Gender Equality in Sailing, designed to balance the ratio of female and male sailors. This guide will equip instructors and trainers with practical tips and insights for promoting inclusivity. Building on this foundation, the project will develop a comprehensive Training Programme that synthesizes best practices from sailing and other sports disciplines.
An exciting highlight is an International Training, where women will participate in a week-long sailing experience, journeying from Italy to Croatia and back. This hands-on training will serve as a cornerstone for developing a Toolkit of Sailing Activities, integrating non-formal education approaches and promoting the inclusion of women in sailing. Through these outputs, the project aims to empower women and inspire sustainable change in the sailing community.
The Partnership
The project brings together a partnership from five countries, each contributing unique expertise to promote inclusivity and gender equity in sailing. The project is coordinated by the Horn Kraków Sailing Club from Poland, with partners including ACTIVE Austria, an NGO dedicated to inclusion and women’s sports; FourSailing, a renowned sailing club from Italy; Active Zone Outdoor from Cyprus, which promotes outdoor sports; and Why Knot Ladies, a community of women sailors from Slovakia. Together, these organisations are working to break down barriers, promote community, and inspire more women to embrace the world of sailing.
