West Coast Girls Sailing Program
West Vancouver Yacht Club
Sophie Callander and Nicky da Costa
Co-Founders
Programming
- 20 girls participated
- Ages 10 – 16
- 5 Day Camp with wrap-up GirlGatta on Friday
- 4 Female Coaches – Teaching Cansail 1-3
- On-shore games, mentorship, workshops
- Guest Speaker Tracey Edwards from “Maiden” (trailblazing skipper of Maiden, the first all-female crew to compete in the Whitbread Round the World Race (1989–1990).
Other highlights of the week:
boat bedazzling, sun visor decorating, knot tying, dock jumping, sailing, meaningful conversations about mixed-gender sporting environments.
One parent summed it up beautifully
“Our daughter has been sailing for many years now, but this has been her most rewarding experience so far. The all-female dynamic was freeing for her in so many ways.”
Throughout the week, the girls expressed how different this experience felt. They described the all-girls group as more collaborative, relaxed, and inclusive—a space where they felt comfortable being themselves and trying new things without fear of judgment. Many said they felt more at ease sharing their thoughts and asking questions, which created an uplifting and empowering group dynamic.
Importantly, this wasn’t about sailing without boys—it was about creating a space just for the girls, where their voices and experiences could be centered and celebrated in fulfillment of the vision created by the first Girls in Sailing Program that’s been such a huge success at the Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club in Toronto for the past 5 years.
This movement is so much bigger than one camp or one yacht club. From coast to coast, we're building something meaningful together with this Girls in Sailing Camp, and the purpose behind it.
West Vancouver Yacht Club
Sophie Callander Founder
