The World Sailing Trust has launched a global survey of women in sailing, looking at trends within sailing and the wider industry around gender disparity.

Part of a wider strategic review focused on increasing gender diversity across the sport, the survey will provide recommendations and actions for partners across the globe looking to be part of this change.

The results of the survey will be combined with research into global best practice, to form a series of recommendations and a programme of work to support women and girls across all areas of the sport.

Says Dee Caffari, Chair of the World Sailing Trust: “We want to understand more about women and girls in sailing: what attracts them, what puts them off, why they drop out, the perceived and real barriers to participation that they might face and how this varies across countries, ages, classes and competition and different elements of the sport – racing vs recreational vs officials.

“To complement this knowledge we also want to understand how women and girls’ participation could be increased and we strongly encourage the whole sailing and marine community to participate in the survey and tell their own story.”

Set up in 2018 by World Sailing, the World Sailing Trust has three areas of work which are closely linked – marine health, access and youth pathways.

The Strategic Review is being led by Victoria Low, and she and the team are keen to hear more from any individual with an interest in this area, and would encourage them to get in touch direct at Victoria.low@worldsailingtrust.org.

The initial findings of the Strategic Review will be presented to World Sailing’s stakeholders – Class Associations, Member National Authorities and Committee members – at World Sailing’s 2019 Annual Conference in Bermuda by Victoria Low and Hannah Goldie, the Trust’s Head of Fundraising, in October. Further insight will be delivered to the wider sailing and marine community at the Yacht Racing Forum in November.