When Australian Sailing Race Officer Presenter Ian Ross, himself a well-known, experienced and respected National Race Officer, turned up at the Derwent Sailing Squadron to present his most recent Race Officer Course he almost couldn't believe his eyes. 

Sat before him was the all-female class of six enthusiastic women from all over the state ready to begin their journey to becoming Australia’s newest accredited Race Officers. 

They were in safe hands with Ian as their Mentor, a lifelong sailor and long-time Race Officer who had recently retired from working with Marine and Safety Tasmania and has now become Tasmania’s newest AS Race Officer presenter.  

"There was a good mix of people from both regional and city-based clubs which will help increase the knowledge base around the state and improve the level of race management within the Tasmanian sailing community," Ross commented. 

“When asking the participants why they chose to do the course, the overwhelming reply was, ‘I want to know more, be as professional as I can and support our sailing community. Attending a course in a welcoming environment with friends has been great’”. 

The result was particularly pleasing with a current focus in the sport on growing the number of Race Officials and female participation both on and off the water. The SheSails initiative has helped raise awareness of what sailing can offer and courses like this will continue to remind potential participants of the benefits of being a Race Officer – none more important than that it places you at the heart of sailing competition. The role requires the ability to perform a day on-water, displaying a range of skills such as race equipment preparation, on-water race management and monitoring course safety. 

After the successful two-day course, Tasmania is in a very positive position with several new Race Officers ready to lead the way. 

Kirstin Seaver, one of the attendees, is an avid and experienced sailor. Now moving into the Race Officer side of sailing, she understands the importance of these roles and volunteering. 

“I'm very much a volunteer everywhere I go. And without the volunteers on the race boat, you do not have any regattas.” 

Seaver had many great takeaways from the course, from both the practical side of things and with the women she was with over the two days. “Our customers are those people in the boat, so we have to make this a wonderful event for them so that they will come back and do it again. So, I guess you've got this balance of keeping it fair, sticking to the rules and making it fun, making it a good and challenging race. 

"The other takeaway was the fact that the room was full of women. Some of them I knew and some I didn't. But we've now got a network of new friendships to go and help each other out,” she said.  

Jenny Potter, Rear Commodore at Sandy Bay Sailing Club, was keen to do the course to be more useful on the water.  

“I’ve still got a lot to learn but it’s given me a lot more understanding of sailing, even though I’ve been involved in sailing since I was 10 years old. These courses are really good to do, and it was such a great learning environment with Ian.” 

Her advice for other women thinking of getting involved: “Just give it a go. You’ll never know if you don’t give it a go. I’m so pleased to see so many women getting more opportunities like this.”  

With this traditionally being a male-dominated space, this all-women attendance for this course is an amazing step in bringing more inclusive voices to officiating in Sailing.  

You can find out more about how to become a Race Officer and upcoming Race Officer Courses here.