SAIL INTERNATIONAL – Associated Clubs
LGBTQ+ SAILING AROUND THE WORLD
We have links to LGBTQ+ sailing clubs around the world. It can be great fun to get in touch with the local sailing club, meet up with members and perhaps even get out on the water? In the past we’ve had members of other clubs join us for S&CA club events when they’re visiting the UK (if you’re a member of a sister club, you can apply for short term ‘associate membership’ of our club), our Members have also received a warm welcome from sister clubs, and we’ve even organised joint events in the past. Here are some of the LGBTQ+ clubs with which we have established links, in no particular order:
VOILE ET CROISIÈRE EN LIBERTÉ
France – Formed initially from a nucleus of French sailors within the S&CA, once the VCL grew large enough, the VCL was born! For over 30 years, the VCL (Sailing and Cruise in Liberty) has helped gay and lesbian people connect through their passion for the sea, cruising and water sports; welcoming beginners through to experienced skippers. The S&CA as a long shared heritage with VCL, with many joint cruises in the early days of both clubs documented in our newsletter archives.
Visit Voile et Croisière en Liberté
YANKEE CRUISING CLUB
New England, USA – Another club with a longstanding close association with the S&CA. The Yankee Cruising Club was founded in 1983 to bring LGBTQ boaters together to meet, make friends, and get out on the water together. They strive to be an open and friendly place for people to socialize and be themselves, with members and events that stretch from Maine to New York. Several reciprocal visits established a close association with the S&CA during the 80s and 90s, the YCC even chose to adapt our Lambda burgee to cement the relationship!
AUSTRALIAN SAILING AND CRUISING CLUB
Sydney, Australia – The Australian Sailing and Cruising Club is a club for LGBT people and their friends in Sydney and across Australia. We welcome boats and boaters of all types – sail, power, dinghy, windsurf, kite, kayak – if it floats, you’re welcome to join in! The Club is based in Sydney and organizes regular events during the year both on the water and the land – guests and visitors to Sydney are welcome – you don’t have to own a boat to be a member. The ASCC is another club with a close shared history; our newsletter archive tells of how the founder sailed with the S&CA on a visit to the UK and returned home to form the Australian club!
Visit Australian Sailing and Cruising Club
KNICKERBOCKER SAILING ASSOCIATION
New York, USA – Knickerbocker Sailing Association is a non-profit gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender boating club, now in its 23rd year. We encourage members who support diversity and enjoy getting out on the water of the greater New York area.
Visit Knickerbocker Sailing Association
RAINBOW RACES
USA – Founded in 2019, Rainbow Races is a not for profit group geared towards equality and diversity in sailing in the USA. It’s objective is connecting the LGBTQ community and its allies, inspiring others to venture onto the water, and motivating people to challenge themselves, while promoting equality and diversity in sailing. Its first event was a ‘Rainbow Regatta Chicago’ in 2019 which was a huge success (see more on YouTube). Rainbow Races would be delighted to meet up with any S&CA member should they be visiting the Chicago area.
PACIFIC RIM YACHT CLUB
Vancouver, Canada – We are a gay and gay friendly yachting group with members from Vancouver and Vancouver Island, including the Gulf Islands. Our Rendezvous Schedule has a number of events throughout the year, many of which can be reached by land. The boating experience of our members ranges from the venerable ‘old salt’ to the complete novice. While it’s not a requirement to own a boat at present there are few crewing opportunities.
TORONTO GAY SAILING CLUB
TGSC welcomes all members of the LGBTQ community to experience the open waters of Lake Ontario! Sailboat owners and crew welcome!
Visit Toronto Gay Sailing Club
PINXEEL
Markermeer & Ijsselmeer, The Netherlands – PINXEEL is a water sports association of and for gay men. Founded in the 80s and has grown into a thriving association with many activities, both on water and on shore, with more than 80 members. PINXEEL (Dutch corruption of the English Pink Sail) is a national association, but because most members have their boat in a harbor around the Markermeer or IJsselmeer, most activities take place there.
OLYMPIC YACHT CLUB
Seattle, USA – Members and supporters of the Seattle area’s LGBTQ community who enjoy boating together in the Pacific Northwest. Established in 1979, its primary purpose is to provide safe and fun boating activities for its members, along with their families and guests.
THE BARBARY COAST BOATING CLUB
San Francisco & Northern California, USA – The Barbary Coast Boating Club is Northern California’s premier LGBT boating experience – a club for those interested in all aspects of on-water fun. Their goal is to provide a safe environment that fosters camaraderie, fun and the enjoyment of boating and other water activities in the company of the LGBTQ & LGBTQ friendly community. Established in 1982, the Club has been serving boaters in Northern California for more than 35 years. We have members from all nine counties bordering San Francisco Bay and in many cities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Our members share a love of boating.
Visit The Barbary Coast Boating Club
SAN FRANCISCO SAILING TEAM
San Francisco, USA – Experience sailing with other LGBT sailors in the San Francisco Bay Area, a premier destination for both exciting sailing and a vibrant LGBT community. They race and cruise, both day sails on the Bay or opportunities to sail in places around the world, on chartered boats and privately owned boats.
Visit San Francisco Sailing Team
OPEN SEAS YACHT CLUB CHESAPEAKE BAY
Virginia/Pennsylvania/Washington DC, USA – The Open Seas Yacht Club was founded over three decades ago by a group of gay men and women who share a love of boating and the Chesapeake Bay. Their goal is to provide a safe yachting club that fosters camaraderie, fun and the enjoyment of boating and other water activities in the company of gay men and lesbians.
Visit Open Seas Yacht Club Chesapeake Bay
BOYS WITH BOATS
USA (multiple locations) – A LGBT non-profit social boating club promoting boater education, safety, and environmental stewardship. With chapters in Fort Lauderdale (FL), Nashville (TN), Tampa / St. Pete (FL), Daytona Beach (GA/FL), Lake Travis Austin (TX), Washington DC / Annapolis / Philadelphia, Great Lakes Chicago / Milwaukee / Detroit, Newport (RI), Southern California (CA), and Pittsburgh (PA).
GLORY – THE GAY AND LESBIAN ORGANISATION FOR RACING AND YACHTING
International – The Gay and Lesbian Organisation for Racing and Yachting (GLORY) is a global organisation dedicated to promoting, co-ordinating and supporting gay and lesbian sailing and racing around the world.
LGBT+ ORGANISATIONS IN THE UK
PRIDE SPORTS
Founded in 2006 and was the first, and still one of only three organisations in the UK working solely to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport and improve access to sport for LGBT+ people.
ROYAL NAVY COMPASS
The Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity of the Royal Navy. We had the privilege of taking part in their 2020 Compass conference which celebrated 20 years since the lifting of the ban of LGBT people serving in the armed forces.
Visit Royal Navy Compass
Visit Royal Navy Diversity and Inclusion