Queenscliff Cruising Yacht Club and partner club Ocean Racing Club of Victoria have had a bumper year for their 2024 intake of women sailors for the Keelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy (KISS) training program. Established in 2022 by then QCYC Commodore Lee Renfree, the program has now graduated over 100 women in the last three years, transitioning female sailors from passengers to active confident participants.
The pilot program started out in 2022 with 25 women and now fast forward to 2024, there has been 50 women enrolled this year (100% increase) with a wait list of 22 more women signed on already for KISS 2025. KISS has expanded to involve 9 clubs (80% increase), with 13 boat owners providing boats for on-water training (120% increase), 17 mentors on board (110% increase) including 15 female mentors (400% increase).
The Class of 2024 have brought great enthusiasm, energy and commitment to the practical on-water training sessions as well as a thirst for knowledge with diligent attendances at all webinars and a full day hands-on Safety workshop. Enduring friendships have been forged between the 3-6 female team members on each boat with their instructing boat owners and mentors and opened up opportunities beyond KISS for them to go further.
With the program coming to its finale, the women have been keenly honing their skills to take up lead roles of helm, navigator and radio operator in preparation for the 26nm Passage Rally from RBYC to QCYC, with an overnight stay and celebration.
Unfortunately, the weather gods have had other ideas, forcing abandonment of the scheduled KISS Passage Rally on 24 August due to a polar blast with gale force winds continuing over a couple of weeks. A period of improved weather in the lead up to the planned Rally Resail on 14 September buoyed confidence for a good “run to Paradise” but unfortunately suffered a similar fate with a second abandonment.
Very disappointing for our 80 keen Boat Team sailors and additional 20 support team members anticipating a pleasant sail to Queenscliff to celebrate the KISS women’s achievements at the KISS Presentation and Dinner events at the clubhouse on Sand Island. And very frustrating for the QCYC volunteers who had put in time and effort to provide rally management, berthing, catering and bar services. Thanks to the stalwarts Commodore Hugh Pilsworth, Club Captain Mike Phelan and Rear Commodore /Catering wizard Michele Anderson for the preparations they had made in advance and also required a rebuilding of the damaged causeway to the island due to the tempest.
Fortunately, we have been able to swiftly change tack with associate club RBYC stepping in at short notice on both occasions of abandonment to provide a safe haven for all those awaiting the Rally activities and provide access to the restaurant for dinner and socialising.
Many thanks to Commodore Niesje Hees, Club Captain Marnie Irving and RBYC staff for their stewardship in accomodating the recent dinner events and hosting the KISS 2024 Launch back in May to a full house.
It was a pity that the perpetual trophies for the KISS Passage Rally for Helm, Navigator and Radio Operator categories were unable to be contested this year. However, the KISS 2024 Encouragement Award provided by Yachtmaster Sailing School principal Gordon Syme, was hotly contested. Team boat owners and mentors voted for their outstanding boat team member recognising commitment, diligence, enthusiasm and leadership in all activities of the program. QCYC member Liz Keys on Boomaroo was awarded the prize of an RYA keelboat course of her choosing for her achievements.
As the KISS program has grown exponentially this year, the program could not have proceeded without the excellent support of partner club, the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria. Sincere thanks to Commodore Cyrus Allen, Marketing and Media Manager Delma Dunoon, ORCV staff and volunteers for augmenting previous technical support with additional logistical, marketing and webinar resources to deliver the program.
With a clear mandate for KISS 2025 from women sailors waiting in the wings and the KISS mission to continue to spread participation opportunities for more women sailors to engage statewide, partner clubs QCYC and ORCV have agreed to secure a future for KISS.
QCYC as a 100% volunteer club will remain the destination for the KISS Passage Rally, while the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria will take the training program under their training pathway to enable more women to become active participants in the sport of sailing. Exciting expansion plans are underway to involve more keelboat clubs, more boat owners and more female sailors stepping up to mentorship roles, to increase full female participation and inclusion at all clubs.
Watch this space. There is more to come …….
Rosie Colahan
KISS 2024 Chair
