Being a girl in sailing - advice from our inspirators

It’s not news that many girls are struggling to go to the toilet when sailing. Some find it too difficult or that it takes too much time. Some doesn’t know how to do it with the hassle of sailing gear and awkward positions. Some simply prefers to not drink water for a whole day so it won’t even be a problem (although, you probably know as well as me that not drinking water for an entire day sounds problematic). This topic can cause a lot of unnecessary stress, both mental and physical. There are enough critical moments to think about in sailing, when and how to use the bathroom shouldn’t have to be one of them.

We believe there’s two reasons why girls are struggling; firstly, not many people are talking about it and it’s obvious that it’s not as easy as it is for boys. It feels a bit embarrassing, and it might not always be the time and place to talk about changing tampons when the wind is blowing like crazy, and five other kids are trying to talk to your coach at the same time. Secondly, the sailing gear is optimized for men, not women and there hasn’t been a good enough solution that girls have adopted so far. We’re here to change this situation. We’re here to empower women in every aspect of sailing. Starting with designing wetsuits that are made to make life easier for women, and openly talk about how it is to be a girl in sailing.

So, let’s start talking about it. Let’s spill the beans on how girls are handling this matter today and hear what years of experience have taught them. Let’s skip the first awkward conversations with coaches or parents you might want to avoid, and simply listen to someone who’s been in the same situation. There’s no better way than learning from each other, we’ve all been there.

We reached out to three of our inspirators to hear their stories and how they handle their needs while sailing. They’ve all got different experiences and different advice, so dig in!

Here’s what they had to say:

Do you have any funny or challenging memories from sailing as a youth, related to going to the toilet?

"During a Junior Swedish Championship (JSM) when I was 13, I had my period and capsized between races. When I got back into the boat and tried to empty the water that had collected in my wetsuit, the whole boat turned red because the water had mixed with my period blood. I thought it was super embarrassing at the time, but now I can laugh about it and think it's a little funny." - Klara

"I ripped my drysuit at the neck, so my coach had to tape it together with duct tape. After that, I couldn’t turn my head for the whole race." - Julia

"I was always a bit nervous before every race about needing to go to the bathroom—not because I thought it was embarrassing, but because I was worried I wouldn’t have enough time between races to take off all my layers, do my business, and get dressed again while still being prepared for the next race." - Felicia

What are your top three tips for peeing while out on the water?

Klara:

• Find a comfortable peeing position from your boat.
• Use Noora's drop-zip feature.
• Sing or ask your sailing partner to sing a good song. 

Julia:

• Use a wetsuit with Drop-zip.
• Hang off the back of the rib.
• Jump into the water.

Felicia:

• Drop-zip is a great option.
• Don’t worry about people seeing you—no one can see anything, and it’s important to relax.
• Find a position on your type of boat that works for peeing comfortably, and don’t hesitate to ask your coach if you can use a bucket in the rib if you’re feeling extra nervous. 

Do you have any tips for managing your period during long days of racing?

"My best tip is to bring a poncho, tampons, wet wipes, and hand sanitiser in the rib so you can easily change your tampon and stay hygienic if needed. Pack a period kit with these items plus painkillers just in case. Noora’s wetsuits with drop-zip make it super easy to change a tampon now. Otherwise, period underwear is amazing! I personally have a very heavy flow and almost always leak, but sailing is honestly the best sport to have your period in because wetsuits are often black, so no one can see, and you can just wash the wetsuit afterward. You can also easily jump in the water to rinse off. Lastly, I often feel extra sluggish during my period, so I always bring extra quick energy and some form of caffeine for the end of the day. And don’t forget it’s especially important to drink a lot of water during your period!" - Klara

"I’ve tried a few things. Period underwear works well for me, but sometimes I just go without any protection and wash the wetsuit afterward so I don’t have to think about it while I’m on the water." - Julia

"This is an important topic and can be tricky to manage. I use a menstrual cup when I sail because it holds more and reduces the risk of needing to change tampons or other products while on the water. It’s worked really well for me, but I know it’s not for everyone." - Felicia

What do you wish you could tell your 11-year-old self that would have made these things easier?

"Everyone finds it just as awkward to pee on the water or deal with their period on the water at first, but it’s just part of it. In a few years, you won’t even understand why it felt like such a big deal. Even though it might feel tough, don’t make it into a bigger issue than it is. Try to focus on the positive—I actually think it feels much fresher to pee or deal with my period out on the water than in a sports hall bathroom. It also helps to remember there will always be someone else in the fleet who has their period, so you’re never alone. Just think about how many girls are on their period during a Major Championship (I think I’ve had mine at almost everyone, honestly)." - Klara

"Don’t be embarrassed. It’s normal, it’s hard, but it gets easier with time." - Julia

"Prioritize your health—it’s important to stay hydrated when sailing, and it’s not good to leave a tampon in for too long, for example. If you find this topic hard to talk about, I recommend discussing it with friends and family. Maybe a friend has an awesome solution!" – Felicia

Hopefully their stories inspired some of you that might be out there struggling!

We’d love to create an environment where these things are openly shared and taught to young girls so that we can skip years of stress. If you want to join, it would be fun to hear your stories and experiences! The more advice and stories, the better. Shoot us an email isabelle@noora.nu or send a message on our Instagram @noora_ocean if you would be interested.