In collaboration with Antigua’s National Sailing Academy (NSA), Antigua Sailing Week (ASW) and Second Star Sailing, 59° North hosted a fun and lively event on Saturday March 23rd, 2024, at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina (AYCM) to promote and encourage more girls and women to sail. 59° North’s apprenticeship program and sailing passages specifically target female sailors and the company is always interested in connecting with other organisation’s doing similar work. The NSA particularly motivates young Antiguans to get involved in sailing and Second Star Sailing runs Women at the Helm courses and an apprenticeship program for Antiguan girls and women.

Saturday’s event at the AYCM saw a diverse group of females (and a few welcome males), ranging in ages, sailing experience and nationalities, connect with one another. There was lots of meaningful discussion centred around supporting and encouraging each other on our various sailing journeys and also more technical talk. 59° North’s chief bosun, Adam Browne, and skipper and first mate Alex Laline, gave a tour of the Falken, the 1999 Farr 65-foot ‘round the world racing yacht’ lovingly retrofitted and brought back to life by 59° North. After that the group retreated to the welcome shade and a cool drink provided by the Marinaside Restaurant where we continued the ‘lyme’ with more laughter and stimulating and inspiring conversation. Here’s to the next time we meet again!

Thank you all who attended the tour and participated in the conversations. The exchange of experiences and insights has been truly inspiring! We are committed to continuing our efforts in promoting healthy lifestyle and raising awareness, as we firmly believe in the potential to build a strong and empowering female sailing community in the Caribbean. Thanks to the involved organizations for being part of this journey towards inclusivity and unity on the seas.