Sailing is an activity that really should show not differences but similarities between men and women. But it does.
That's unfortunate, because it really doesn't take any abilities that men have that women don't. It's been shown. Most notably in a recent around the world solo race won by a young British woman.
However it appears that there are no all-woman teams to be entered in the competition that will culminate in competition for The America's Cup.
There are heavy forces needed on board, especially in larger boats and when the weather gets rough. But there are winches, either hand operated or powered, pulleys (called 'blocks' on a boat) and cleats to take the pressure on lines once an adjustment is made.
Last week, a group in Detroit, Bayview Yacht Club, sponsored a women's invitational regatta. Nancy Derringer, writing about the event, says about 200 ladies from around the country were expected.
They took part in a skills seminar one day and spent the next racing.
One of the organizers, Lynn Kotwicki, said women are underrepresented in competitive sailing, "Because they don't think they're good at it.”
A co-organizer, Sandi Svoboda says women, "Love their husbands dearly, but not when they're learning to sail."
And, since most women learn sailing from their husbands or boyfriends, it's not really conducive to a good learning environment.
Kotwicki went on to say that some things women do better than men are valuable on a racing boat. She said that women have longer attention spans and pay more attention to detail.
That's why I always have my wife look at any used car I might be interested in.
Kotwicki said women on mixed crews often are assigned the task of spinnaker trimming. The spinnaker is the big, pretty sail. It's used when the boat is sailing with the wind and it's important to watch its actions closely.
You have to make sure it's in position to get the most effect from the wind. You also have to make sure that doesn't lead to trouble.
If the wind is strong, a spinnaker that is not used properly can suddenly tip the bow into an oncoming wave at the wrong time … at best, slowing the boat … at worst swamping it.
She said the tasks of organization, keeping the myriad lines organized and fine tuned, also lend themselves to the apparent innate skills of women.
So guys … if you know how to sail and have a Significant Other who has expressed some interest. Do something nice for her.
If you love her and love sailing, don't try to teach her yourself. Buy her lessons from a certified instructor.