Women On Water (WOW)

A social introduction to sailing with a female instructor.

A great way to meet new people and improve your fitness whilst having fun!

WOW on Wednesday Evenings runs May & August 2025


WOW-WE activities take place on Wednesday evenings at 19:00. For 2025 we will be running two blocks of three week introductory sessions, weather permitting*.  The cost for Non Members of DSC is £40, this can be deducted from a membership application if you would like to continue sailing after the three weeks!

WOW-We Launch – April 30 20:00 – anyone is welcome to come along and find out what its all about – join us  in the club for bubbles & nibbles. Please let us know if you intend to come along RSVP: sailing@donaghadeesc.co.uk

To Book for the sessions choose your dates below:

*  If the weather prohibits sailing one evening, we will endeavour to carry your time over to the following week, depending on volunteer availability.

As part of the RYA NI’s Active Clubs Initiative, the DSC WOW – WE programme is a fantastic opportunity for women to get out on the water and learn how to sail.

WOW -WE focuses on the social aspect of sailing rather than being competitive so it will be a great way to meet new people as well as having fun and keeping fit!

Where’d the wind go?

WOW-WE is Run by the Ladies of Donaghadee Sailing Club for the Ladies or prospective ladies that would like to try sailing and consider joining our club!

Honestly – it’s not that cold!

In 2016. Donaghadee Sailing Club were the first Club to offer the WOW programme, as part of the RYA NI’s Active Clubs Initiative. Our courses were led by a female instructor and could be run in a variety of boats, varying from the very stable Laser Stratos keel boats to single handers.

Do I have to?

Covid changed our offering a bit, and thus has evolved into the informal introduction and friendly social sailing on a Wednesday evening during the summer that it is now. It focuses on sailing, but can now offers any water sport that we can offer or arrange, Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP), Dinghy or Keel boat Sailing (Big Boats that don’t capsize),Powerboating, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Kayaking, for starters. We’ve also evolved the scheme to now offer sailing on a small cruiser as an alternative to sailing dinghies, to offer an experience on a larger boat for those ladies not wanting to or being nervous about falling into the water.

Actually I’m enjoying this!

The club offers an introductory session based over 4 consecutive weeks for non members wishing to try sailing! This costs £35, the cost of the course can then be offset as a deposit against a club membership if the participant wishes to join after the 4 week trial. The club provides all the water safety equipment required to keep you warm and safe whilst out on the water, and a choice as mentioned above of activity.

Does this go fast?

After a session and a warm shower in our modern clubhouse facilities, participants are encouraged to retire to the Clubhouse bar for a well-deserved coffee or a beverage from the bar. Here, you can admire the views over the sea and enjoy the benefits of being a member of Donaghadee Sailing Club.