An all-female sailing weekend on the Norfolk Broads is helping to break down barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sport, while offering participants a chance to unwind and connect with nature. The 'Wellbeing on the Water' trips, run by Eastwood Whelpton, aim to make sailing affordable and accessible to women, particularly those aged 45 and over.
The weekend, based at Upton Dyke, saw 15 women split across a flotilla of five boats, each helmed by a female skipper. Participants ranged from complete beginners to those with rusty skills, and came for reasons including stress relief, adventure, and the camaraderie of women-only travel. 'There’s something special about adventuring with other women,' said one participant, Helen.
The rise of women-only active travel is reflected in industry trends, with 38% of adventure travel companies targeting women, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s 2024 report. Specialist operators like WalkingWomen have seen demand grow from 31 trips in 2021 to over 70 in 2024.
Activities during the weekend included sailing, morning yoga, walks, pub dinners, and an optional sea swim. Skipper Els Robinson led the fleet, navigating through channels, reeds, and broads where wildlife such as herons, marsh harriers, and an osprey were spotted. 'Our ethos is to make sailing accessible to everyone,' said Suzy Strowger, office manager at Eastwood Whelpton.
