Inclusion and Education at the Downtown Sailing Center in Baltimore
At SpinSheet world headquarters we often ponder individually and among our team, how can we grow the sport of sailing? Through our Start Sailing Now initiative, we aim to offer inspiration and encouragement to would-be adult sailors. Additional strategies that will bring more sailors into the fold include making sailing more inclusive and offering inexpensive, easily accessible educational opportunities for beginner and intermediate sailors.
Inclusion and education are at the heart of the Downtown Sailing Center’s (DSC) mission, and two club initiatives that exemplify that commitment are the club’s Women On the Water and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Sailing Night programs. In 2025 alone, WOW had 219 attendees, while BIPOC welcomed 70 attendees over the course of the year.
DSC’s BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) sailing nights are for anyone identifying as a person of color. Each sail is designed to create a welcoming and affirming space, remove barriers to access, and increase representation in a sport that hasn't always been inclusive. The sails are offered monthly and run from May through September. Whether you're curious about sailing or just looking for a meaningful way to spend time outside, BIPOC participants can learn, connect, and enjoy being out on the water with other People of Color.
Karen Southern, a volunteer skipper and coordinator for the BIPOC program, says, “My father, who learned to fly and purchased his own plane in the early 1960s, gave me the confidence to seek new experiences in all spaces, including spaces in which I was the only Black person. Sailing is an awesome, transformative sport, but some people may feel excluded because of the perception that sailing is for people who don’t look like them.
“The Downtown Sailing Center’s BIPOC Sailing program creates a sense of belonging for underrepresented people and sends a strong message that sailing is for everyone. In my roles with the program, I enjoy watching participants build confidence, learn new skills, and develop a love of sailing. This year the program will be held monthly on Saturdays, beginning May 30.”
he DSC;s Women On the Water (WOW) program is for female and non-binary sailors and was created because sailing has traditionally been male dominated. WOW aims to create a space for women, by women. Those new to sailing can build their confidence and skills by learning from the club’s experienced women sailors who volunteer their time to help other women grow their sailing skills, build confidence, and make new connections.
DSC member Jordan Hecht explains, ““I was inspired to start Women on the Water in 2018 by the then-executive director Lynn Handy. We did a one-evening event in the summer, and it was so popular, I knew we had to bring it back in 2019, when we had one session per month in June, July, and August and then we planned for more sessions in 2020. The pandemic put a stop to our plans but in 2021 we really revved up, opening sessions to non-members and had huge amounts of participants. That's continued since!
“It's very rewarding to see women learning the sport that I love so much and that there are so many barriers to elsewhere. My favorites are women who have tried to learn from others but found it was not fun or too stressful. I feel that we are a model for others who can help more women get involved and I hope to see our model spread!
“I’d also like to note that our program could not function without the logistics done by the DSC staff with registration and overseeing the program.”
Laura Ladenheim, adult education manager at DSC, says, “We welcome non-members to attend the first WOW of each month and our monthly BIPOC sails. The cost for non-members is $35, and if they want to join afterwards, DSC will take $35 off their membership fee. Both events have led to us gaining new members, and they are both run as educational events.”
She continues, “Our first WOW for 2026 will be on Monday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m., and our first BIPOC will be on Saturday, May 30 at 1 p.m. Registration for both events opens two weeks in advance. We're currently working on determining the best day of the week for our monthly BIPOC sails. Last year they were on Monday evenings; however, we received feedback that a Saturday might be better, so we are experimenting. After the first event we will consult our volunteer organizers and frequent attendees to determine dates for the rest of the season.”
To learn more about DSC, become a member, find a volunteer opportunity, or purchase a ticket to the club’s February 21 Full Sail: A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats fundraiser at the Baltimore Museum of Industry (with food open bar, and live music!), visit downtownsailing.org. Do you have a favorite organization that seeks to promote sailing to traditionally underrepresented groups? Let us know by emailing [email protected].
