The Beverly Yacht Club (BYC) in Marion has hosted a Ladies’ Racing Series during the summer months of June, July, and August since 1946. A recent revival has grown the fleet to 14 Twelves, each skippered and crewed by ladies. Every Thursday afternoon, the fleet meets for lunch and then heads out to the course to run two races. The first race is scored and added to the season’s tally. The second race is unscored and provides an opportunity to change places, giving the crew some time at the helm. This is a great way to give the next generation of H-Class sailors experience skippering these incredible boats.
2016 will mark the 70th anniversary of the Ladies’ Racing Series at the Beverly Yacht Club.
Beverly is not the only yacht club with a growing ladies fleet. The Shelter Island Yacht Club (SIYC) also has organized a Wednesday Night Ladies Race. Dona Bergin, a Shelter Island sailor and member of the SIYC, has been teaching a women’s-only sailing course for five years with great success.
The Beverly Yacht Club encourages non-BYC boats to join. For more information, click here to contact Deborah Elfers.
For more information on the Shelter Island Fleet, click here.
Photos of Sailing Style: Beverly Yacht Club’s Ladies Racing Series
