Our yacht was perfectly at home on the water. The sun glinted off the chestnut masts as the north-northeasterly wind filled the sails, sending Windsong skimming across the lake at a lively tilt, leaving a trail of joyful waves in its wake. It felt like riding a wild horse through the surf—exhilarating, powerful, and graceful—except this “wild horse” was under the steady command of skipper Els Robinson, with me playing a much smaller role. When the call “Come about!” rang out, my tasks were simple: adjust the jib (the small triangular sail at the front, as I’d recently learned) and avoid getting smacked by the boom. Oh, and to savor every moment.
I’d come to the Norfolk Broads for a women’s Wellbeing on the Water weekend. Though I grew up nearby—just across the fields from Upton Dyke, where Eastwood Whelpton Sailing Holidays is based—I’d never sailed before. It wasn’t part of my world, so the idea never crossed my mind.
“Our goal is to make sailing accessible to everyone,” explained Suzy Strowger, the company’s office manager. “Sailing has often been seen as elitist and male-dominated. These women’s weekends are about changing that—making it affordable and welcoming for a group that’s currently underrepresented.”
Sailing isn’t just about moving a boat, Suzy added. “It’s a wellbeing activity, especially beneficial for women.” She’s seen women juggling full-time caregiving or high-stress jobs come aboard, looking for ways to unwind and recharge.
The weekend started as smoothly as could be, with prosecco and cake in the boatyard as we got to know each other. There were 15 of us—some solo, some in pairs, mostly over 45, with skill levels ranging from experienced to rusty to complete beginners—all there for different reasons.
For Katharine, it was about “trying something new and escaping daily life.” Jo, on her third trip with Eastwood Whelpton, simply loved “the peace of being out on the water.” Helen was drawn to the idea because “men often take the lead—there’s something special about adventuring with other women, don’t you think?”
She’s right. Women-only travel—especially active trips—is growing, and companies are taking notice. According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s 2024 report, 38% of companies diversifying their markets are targeting women, with “women over 50 traveling solo” highlighted as a key trend. Major tour operators now offer women-only departures, while niche companies report rising demand. For example, WalkingWomen launched in 2021 with 31 women-only hiking trips; this year, they offer over 70.
An all-female setting often encourages women to push their limits, especially with female guides leading the way. On this Norfolk weekend, our group split across five boats, each skippered by a woman—still disappointingly rare in 2025. The skippers seemed just as thrilled about it as we were.
Jo and I were paired on Windsong, a stunning 30-foot gaff-rigged yacht built in the 1980s by a Norfolk craftsman. Its polished wooden interior, clever pop-top roof, and countless storage nooks (stocked with food by Suzy) made it a cozy home. One of our first conversations? Who was more likely to need the hand-pump toilet in the middle of the night (Jo took the bow berth beside it; I slept in the main cabin). Living in tight quarters fast-tracks bonding.
Els, our skipper, was in charge of the whole fleet. Before…We pulled up anchor, and she unfolded a map to outline our weekend plans. First, we’d motor a short way to Thurne and tie up for the night. On Saturday, we’d sail to Horsey, where a windpump—a windmill once used to drain the marshy area known as Devil’s Country—stands tall. Sunday would bring us back. The days would be filled with boat breakfasts, picnic lunches, pub dinners, leisurely walks, morning yoga, and an optional dip in the sea.
Some women join these wellbeing weekends to brush up on sailing skills, others to unwind with books and gin.
I took to boat life right away. We glided through winding waterways, gazing at endless reed beds, spotting herons, hunting marsh harriers, and even an osprey—one of the pair that recently settled at nearby Ranworth Broad. It felt like a moving meditation. With speed limits never exceeding 6mph (sometimes just 3mph), the pace was wonderfully slow. “Life today is so rushed,” Els mused as she steered us toward Thurne’s restored windmill. “Sometimes we just need to slow down.”
Watching Els work was a delight—she moved with calm precision, completely in tune with the boat. While she encouraged us to take the helm, there was no pressure.
I took my turn steering, focusing hard to avoid the banks, boathouses, other yachts, and the elegant black-sailed Norfolk wherry gliding past. I helped raise and lower the sails, learned basic knots and reefing, and even assisted in lowering the mast to squeeze under Potter Heigham’s ancient bridge.
Eastwood Whelpton offers official sailing courses, but these wellbeing weekends are different. As Suzy put it, some women come to sharpen their skills, others simply to read and sip gin.
After a day on the water, wind and sun warming our cheeks, we moored at Horsey for “anchor drams” (cocktails) before a walk across the marsh to the dunes. Last winter, over 3,000 grey seal pups were born here. On the beach, a lone seal popped up from the waves to greet us.
Three of us stripped down for a swim. The water was cold, choppy, and frustratingly shallow—but as always, I didn’t regret the dip. The real challenge was changing afterward, with the north wind snatching my towel and dignity. But did it matter? We were all in it together.
That evening, we gathered at the Nelson Head, a proper old pub where a sign read: “We don’t have Wi-Fi—talk to each other.” And we did, sharing stories about how life has—or hasn’t—changed for women. Some spoke of mothers who believed marriage and children were their only options, while their own daughters now take their freedoms for granted. Johanna shared how she topped her (mostly male) class at London Business School, only for the chairman to remark, “I love to see a smiling blonde!” as he handed her diploma.
That night, like the one before, I drifted in and out of sleep, lulled by the boat’s gentle creaks and gurgles. I woke early to a dawn chorus of blackbirds, redstarts, warblers, and cuckoos. A 7:30 am yoga session under a tree awaited, though I wasn’t sure I could feel any more relaxed. I hadn’t become an expert sailor, but I’d loved every moment of this maiden voyage.
The trip was arranged by Eastwood Whelpton. Their next Women on the Water Wellbeing Weekends run from 12 September and 15 May 2026, starting at £433 per person. Women-only boats are also available during Norfolk Race Week (5-10 October, from £705pp).
