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A welcoming sailing program for women and non-binary sailors of all experience levels.
Women on the Water (WOW) is an all-volunteer program dedicated to increasing access to sailing for women and non-binary people. Whether you're brand new to sailing or already experienced, WOW is a supportive space to learn, practice, and build community on the water.
WOW Mondays are a great place to try sailing for the first time. Beginners are encouraged to join—no prior experience is necessary. Our events are designed to be educational and welcoming, with plenty of opportunities to learn in a relaxed environment.
Participants are placed into small boat groups, and each boat includes a skilled skipper who can guide the crew and help everyone build confidence on the water.
If you are already checked out as a DSC skipper, please consider volunteering as a WOW skipper. This is a great opportunity to develop your leadership and sailing skills while helping introduce others to the sport.
When you sign up as a skipper, we’ll make sure you have a supportive and capable crew aboard. WOW depends on volunteer skippers to make these events possible - thank you for helping grow our community!
WOW sessions take place on the first and third Mondays of each month during the sailing season.
The Downtown Sailing Center welcomes women and non-binary people of all experience levels, including those who are not DSC members.
This small fee helps us maintain and operate our boats. If you attend a WOW event and later decide to join the DSC, your $35 session fee will be credited toward your membership.
We’re happy to help. Email info@downtownsailing.org if you have any questions about the program or what to expect.
***Registration opens 1 week prior to the event***
Break up your workweek with a relaxing Wednesday evening sail! The Member Sail is a recreational event for DSC Skipper and Crew members, offering a chance to improve sailing skills or simply enjoy the waterfront while meeting new friends.
Please arrive by 5:15 PM for the 5:30 PM start. The Dockmaster will begin boat allocation and coordination promptly at 5:30 PM.
All boats must return to the dock by sundown.
If you're new to the DSC or haven’t signed the DSC liability waiver yet, please complete it online. Skippers must also sign the SKIPPER WAIVER.
We rely on volunteers to help lead the Member Sail each week. Learn more about becoming a dockmaster.
If you have any questions, please contact the DSC office at 410.727.0722 or info@downtownsailing.org. Weather cancellations will be announced by 4 PM on the day of the event.
We're always looking for ways to improve the experience for our members. Please take a moment to complete our online event evaluation form and let us know your thoughts.
Sail Into the Weekend — No Registration Needed!
Kick off your weekend with the Friday Night Fun Race, a relaxed, social sail open to all DSC members! This pickup-style distance race starts at 6:00 PM off the DSC docks (dock call 5:30 PM) and heads toward the first red buoy in the Middle Branch.
Post on Circle in advance or come early to meet other members and find a spot. "Regulars" often save crew space for new sailors. Volunteers help organize teams and assign boats at the dock.
No racing experience? No problem! It’s a fun, low-pressure intro to racing. Some sailing knowledge helps, but enthusiasm is all you need.
Join us for friendly competition, good vibes, and a great way to start the weekend!
When you sign up as a skipper, we’ll make sure you have a supportive and capable crew aboard, if desired. WOW depends on volunteer skippers to make these events possible - thank you for helping grow our community!
***Registration will open 1 week prior to the event***
Spend your Sunday afternoon sailing! The Member Sail is a recreational event for DSC Skipper and Crew members. Sailors can work on their skills or just enjoy the waterfront, meeting new friends along the way.
Please arrive at the DSC by 11:45 AM for the 12:00 PM Start Time. The Dockmaster will begin boat allocation and coordination promptly at 12:00 PM.
If you have any questions, please contact the DSC office at 410.727.0722 or info@downtownsailing.org. Weather cancellations will be announced by 11 AM on the day of the event.
A supportive sailing clinic for women and non-binary sailors preparing to become DSC skippers.
Women on the Water (WOW) is an all-volunteer program dedicated to increasing access to sailing for women and non-binary people. As WOW continues to grow, we are excited to support more sailors who are interested in becoming skippers and leaders on the water.
This Skipper Skills Clinic is designed for women and non-binary DSC members who are working toward their skipper checkout.
If you are comfortable with basic sailing skills - such as tacking, jibing, and understanding wind awareness - this clinic is a great opportunity to practice more advanced boat handling and build the confidence needed to take the next step toward skipper certification.
Our experienced sailors will help guide practice and create a supportive environment where you can ask questions, refine your skills, and prepare for your checkout.
That’s completely okay! If you're looking for a more relaxed sailing experience or are newer to sailing, we encourage you to join one of our regular Monday WOW sails, where beginners and experienced sailors sail together in a supportive learning environment.
If you are already checked out as a DSC skipper, please consider signing up to volunteer skipper for this clinic.
Volunteering is a great way to strengthen your own skills while helping other women and non-binary sailors grow their confidence on the water. WOW depends on volunteer skippers to make these events possible—thank you for helping build this community!
WOW sessions take place on the first and third Mondays of each month during the sailing season. We occasionally hold Skipper Clinics like this one. Check the events calendar for more dates.
The Downtown Sailing Center welcomes women and non-binary people of all experience levels. Skipper Skills Clinics are open to DSC members only.
We're happy to help. Email info@downtownsailing.org if you have any questions about the program or what to expect.
A welcoming sailing program designed to increase access to sailing for people who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color.
BIPOC Sailing is part of the Downtown Sailing Center’s effort to make sailing more accessible and inclusive. Whether you are brand new to sailing or have experience on the water, this event provides a supportive space to learn, connect, and enjoy time sailing on the harbor.
Beginners are encouraged to join - no prior sailing experience is required.
This event is designed to be educational and welcoming. Participants will be placed into small boat groups, and each boat will have a skilled skipper aboard to guide the crew and help everyone learn and feel comfortable on the water.
We recommend that you arrive a few minutes early to meet other participants and get settled before heading out.
Please come prepared for time on the water:
Life jackets will be provided.
If you are already checked out as a DSC skipper, please consider volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to develop your sailing and leadership skills while supporting new sailors.
The Downtown Sailing Center welcomes BIPOC-identifying participants of all experience levels, including those who are not DSC members.
This small fee helps us maintain and operate our boats.
Registration opens two weeks before each event.
That’s completely okay! If you're looking for a more relaxed sailing experience or are newer to sailing, we encourage you to join one of our regular Monday WOW sails, where beginners and experienced sailors sail together in a supportive learning environment. Our next regular WOW sail is July 6th!
That’s completely okay! If you're looking for a more relaxed sailing experience or are newer to sailing, we encourage you to join one of our regular Monday WOW sails, where beginners and experienced sailors sail together in a supportive learning environment. Our next regular WOW sail is August 3rd!
That’s completely okay! If you're looking for a more relaxed sailing experience or are newer to sailing, we encourage you to join one of our regular Monday WOW sails, where beginners and experienced sailors sail together in a supportive learning environment. Our next regular WOW sail is August 31st!
Women on the Water (WOW)
Skipper Skills Clinic
An all-volunteer effort to increase access to sailing for all women and non-binary people.
WOW is growing, and we need more women and non-binary skippers to help ensure the success of this program!
This skipper skills clinic is for women/non-binary DSC members with their sights set on skipperhood! If you have learned the basics of tacking, jibiing, and wind awareness - come out to practice the more advanced skills and get ready for YOUR skipper check out!
Beginner or not interested in becoming a skipper? That's ok and our our general WOW sails will start again in April 2027!
If you are already checked out as a DSC skipper, please sign up to volunteer skipper. This will allow you to develop your skills while boosting other women. We cannot run this program without your support!
WOW will take place on the first and third Mondays during the season.
The Downtown Sailing Center welcomes women and non-binary people of all skills and experience levels to participate with us.
If you have further questions, email info@downtownsailing.org
The Downtown Sailing Center
1425 Key Highway, Suite 110, Baltimore, MD 21230(410) 727-0722 • info@downtownsailing.org
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