WI Ladies on the water

WI Ladies Sailing
WI Ladies Sailing

Dorset WI Learn to Sail at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy

The Women’s Institute (WI) plays a unique role in providing women with the chance to build new skills and to take part in a wide variety of activities and last week the Dorset branch did just that.  They provided the opportunity for WI members to try out sailing for the first time ever on the Olympic waters at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA).

The primary objective was to encourage the ladies to try something different to the usual land based activities and to find inspiration or discover a talent they might never otherwise have known, but more importantly to have fun. 

Despite the force six winds, the ladies were itching to get out on the water.  The day was made possible by a dedicated team of SailLaser instructors.  The experienced instructors were able to offer a different dimension to sailing that helped the women grasp the basics about their learning and the relevance and importance of that learning so that hopefully they will continue with it.  From their reactions they certainly will:  Diane Berry from the Overcombe branch commented: “A wonderful experience, especially for a first time sailor.  It made me feel part of the whole Weymouth / Portland Olympic sailing event and not just as a spectator.  Now I can feel the sea and the wind and will enjoy next year’s sailing events even more.  Many thanks to Dorset WI for arranging the visit and the wonderful Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy staff who made us all feel very welcome.”

The WPNSA provided the perfect location for these first time sailors.  The Academy was developed to take advantage of what are recognised as some of the best small boat sailing waters on the planet.  The combination of clean winds, sheltered waters and weak tides in the area is unique and this world class facility in the centre of the Jurassic Coast, the only Natural World Heritage Site on the UK mainland, provides an unrivalled venue for sailing.