2023 Kickoff Cocktail Party
Women on the Water

The Women on the Water 2023 Kickoff Cocktail party was held in Riverside, CT on Sunday, April 30. Nearly 60 women sailors from 10 area yacht clubs attended to socialize and hear the latest news and event updates from member club representatives.

2023 Supper Series FINALE
July 11 - Indian Harbor Yacht Club

Photo by Mary Alice Fisher - visit website

This year’s WOWLIS Supper Series Finale was again hosted by Indian Harbor Yacht Club and all that we planned for amazingly happened making this event truly a wow for us all! Sailors and supporters from all 10 of the participating Supper Series clubs along with our newest club, the Hudson River Boat Club, joined us to race, spectate, hang out, and supper together.

After our group photo, the 9 teams, all women's Race Committee, and 4 spectator boats headed into Captains Harbor to look for wind. Initially there was little pressure, but then the southwesterly wind came in! PRO Karen Lau was able to set up a windward course, with only a shift to the west in the last, third race. It was great to see the Supper Series sailing purpose achieved by enabling newer sailors the opportunity to race, represent their club, and enjoy the sport. Although the wind died during the last race, it was encouraging to have Noroton's Lorraine Harick insist on finishing! To all the racing teams, a wonderful evening to watch and support. Thank you to the IHYC and RYC spectator boats for your hospitality and race committee for spot on race management.

On the Indian Harbor South Patio, those on water joined many who were hanging out and joining us for supper. We had almost 80 women who were new and long-time sailors and supporters gather for the buffet along the waterfront. It was a beautiful evening to meet, catch up, and share our sailing experiences. Thank you to Stamford for closing down the club! We look forward to seeing you all next year.

WOW SUPPER SERIES - 2023
We add photos and write-ups from our 2023 events as they occur and we receive updates from club WOW reps. Two clubs haven’t provided updates.

Origins of the Women's Interclub Supper Series Finals
(According to Indian Harbor Yacht Club)

In 2013, at the winter women's sailing program leaders' meeting at the Pequot Yacht Club, it was discovered that the WOW East Group was holding a sailing/supper series much like the WOW West Group, so it was decided to hold a Finals combining the two groups.

But where to hold such an event? Alix Hahn from American Yacht Club said to Karen Lau, "Indian Harbor Yacht Club, because you guys have the best food!" So it was decided to inaugurate a WOW Supper Series Finals event the second Tuesday in July, and to include more than just sailors by offering spectator boats and a "supper" to all supporters of women's sailing.

Signature & Supper Series Events
(in alphabetical order by Club)

AMERICAN YACHT CLUB
Supper Series
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 (WOW WEST)

American Yacht Club WOW Rep Sue H reports for 2023: A line of heavy rainstorms kept us off the water at American. The evening started with a talk on signal flags, followed by a nice dinner and conversation. We enjoyed a double rainbow! A lively game of left, right, center with Angela from Larchmont taking home the winning pot ended a fun evening.

BLACK ROCK YACHT CLUB
Supper Series
Monday, June 12, 2023 (WOW EAST)

HOUSATONIC BOAT CLUB
East | West Sail & Social

CANCELED for 2023

Wednesday, July 26, 2023 (WOW EAST + WEST)

HUDSON RIVER COMMUNITY SAILING
Statue of Liberty Social Sail - NYC
Sunday, August 13, 2023 (WOW EAST & WEST)

Hudson River Community Sailing Club WOW Rep Elif Levent reports for 2023: Hudson River Community Sailing (HRCS), is a new ‘sister club’ to LYC, and the newest WOW chapter based in NYC at Pier 66. HRCS hosted a Social Statue of Liberty Sail on Sunday August 13 for both East & West WOW clubs. HRCS Fairlead mentors and mentees sailed with WOWLIS women from Black Rock YC, Noroton YC, Old Greenwich YC, Pequot YC, Stamford YC, Indian Harbor YC and Larchmont YC. Weather and current cooperated on this lovely Sunday afternoon and we had a fun sail to the Statue of Liberty. Happy hour in Chelsea followed the sail.

INDIAN HARBOR YACHT CLUB
Supper Series
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 (WOW WEST)

Indian Harbor Yacht Club WOW Rep Karen Lau reports for 2023: There were threats of heavy gusts such that events were cancelled elsewhere, but at IHYC the western district WOWLIS sailors held strong and ventured out for the first Supper Series. The winds tapered significantly allowing for all the clubs to sail two, W2 races. It was nice to mix sailors from different clubs and skill levels to get the racing started for the season. Back on land, all enjoyed a healthy fare of a colorful salad with edible flowers, a distinct choice of chicken or fish (ha ha), and some madeleines and chocolate chip cookies.

LARCHMONT YACHT CLUB
Supper Series
Tuesday, June 20, 2023 (WOW WEST)

Larchmont Yacht Club WOW Rep Anne Stark Locher reports for 2023: LYC had eight Ideals with teams from four Long Island Sound yacht clubs on the starting line on Tuesday, June 20 for the WOW (Women on the Water) Supper Series. In westerly breezes of 10 – 12 knots, the women held two races and then gathered for a chalk talk led by LYC’s Advanced Adult Sailing Director Ashley Dart, over dinner in the Tiki Bar. Teresa Laughlin and Bridget Cooley of LYC took first place, followed by Karen Lau (Indian Harbor) and Caroline Romans (OGYC/LYC). These events are always fun, collegial, and low pressure - a delightful evening for both new and seasoned racers.

NOROTON YACHT CLUB
Supper Series
Monday, June 26, 2023 (WOW EAST)

Noroton Yacht Club WOW Rep Erica Wood reports: Just wanted to send a quick update on our WOW Event at NYC. We had about 45 ladies total from various clubs. We had Ideals and also two Big Boats out for a quick sail as the thunder started to roll in but still lots of fun!

NORWALK YACHT CLUB
Monday, June 5, 2023 (WOW EAST)

OLD GREENWICH YACHT CLUB
Supper Series
​Tuesday, June 6, 2023 (WOW WEST)

Old Greenwich Yacht Club WOW Rep Beth Eaton reports for 2023: The Race Committee of Jim Weil and EJ Haskell ran four races in challenging weather conditions and Pat Quis and Nancy Gordon operated the Pin Boat. Despite the threat of thunderstorms and a lack of wind they were able to get in four races. Teams from four area clubs participated. Over 20 sailors and the Race Committee stayed for a delicious dinner prepared by the inimitable Susan Ryan.

Top honors went to Teresa Laughlin (Larchmont) & Cynny Smith (OGYC).
Second place went to the team from Larchmont captained by Anne Locher.
Third place went to the team from Riverside composed of Muffy Fox and Sara Keller.

PEQUOT YACHT CLUB
Monday, May 22, 2023 (WOW EAST)

RIVERSIDE YACHT CLUB
Supper Series
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 (WOW WEST)

Riverside Yacht Club WOW REP Michele Brendel reports for 2023: Despite a few dark clouds we had a lovely breeze and a great night of racing at RYC. We had great representation from all the West Clubs. We were able to rotate in all the sailors that came and we were able to sail right off our gas dock with the high tide. Racing was followed up with dinner and lively conversation and it was nice to meet a few newer WOW Long Island Sound sailors!

STAMFORD YACHT CLUB
Supper Series
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 (WOW EAST)

Stamford Yacht Club WOW REP Ethel Scully reports for 2023: A gusty easterly welcomed women sailors from five area clubs to Stamford Yacht Club on June 21. Sailors enjoyed a sunset cruise on our fleet of Ideal 18’s, a J120 and our 42’ signal boat. A lovely dinner overlooking Stamford Harbor followed.

Stonington Yacht Club
Sail & Slumber
Thursday September 14 to Friday, September 15, 2023 (WOW EAST + WEST)

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Stonington Harbor Yacht Club WOW Rep Tori Gimple reports for 2023: Hurricane Lee turned out not to be, but the threat of it curtailed sailing in Stonington Harbor because the fleet was being prepared for heavy weather. Thankfully 9 WOW women still wanted to come for a visit! They were treated to a guided walking tour of the historic village by the Stonington Historical Society under beautiful sunny skies. Dinner followed and everyone enjoyed a delicious meal and lively conversation.

The best part of the sail & slumber is the SLUMBER of course and the WOW women bunk'd overnight with SHYC Ideal women. In the morning, they gathered for a lovely brunch on Quiambaug cove before spending the day in Mystic, shopping etc. It was so fantastic to be able to host The WOW Women in our end of the state. Thanks for making the drive to Stonington! We look forward to actually sailing next year :)

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