Membership in the Salty Sisters

 GENERAL INFORMATION 2025

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO:
The Salty Sisters organization was founded in 1951 by a group of ten women interested in sailboat racing. Today the group boasts a membership of over a hundred who continue the tradition. To that end, we annually host a program for women who would like to become Salty Sisters:  a program that includes 8 weeks of the fundamentals of sailing, racing rules, racing skills, and race management.

Salty Sisters sail almost every Wednesday morning competing with one another in prams, IODs, 420s, Sonars, Ideal 18s and Sunfish.  We also compete against other clubs with similar programs: FWSA [Florida Women’s Sailing Assoc.]  When weather or other circumstances do not permit sailing, we have education sessions given by our own members or guest speakers – followed with a luncheon meeting at the Yacht Club.

Salty Sisters participate in other activities both on and off the water:  kayak and canoe trips; parties; visits to museums and attractions; and long cruises.   We are also very actively involved with the SPYC sponsored sailboat regattas [making up a large portion of race committee personnel], Friday Night Twilight racing, Saturday morning racing with the SPSA [St Pete Sailing Assoc.], as well as other Adult Education programs at the SPSC [St. Pete Sailing Center]:
Please check out our website at www.SaltySisters.org

WHO MAY APPLY:
Membership in the Salty Sisters is open to women members of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club who are active and physically able to enjoy the rigorous sport of sailing.  If you would like to join us and are not certain of your abilities or new to the sport, we require that you take one of our local sailing classes prior to taking our sailing evaluation – there are classes given by our own staff at the SPSC.

REQUIREMENTS:
⇒ TESTING REQUIREMENTS

 I.   Pass a Water Survival Test consisting of four parts:

1.  Swimming twenty-five yards; then
2.  Staying afloat for five minutes without a life jacket; then
3.  Donning a life jacket while in the water and swimming;
4.  Lastly climbing out of the water into a safety boat.

 II.    Pass an On-the-Water Sailing Test given by the Salty Sisters which shall include:

1.  Safely leaving and returning to the dock;
2.  Tacking, gybing and other skills applicable to sailing a boat;
3.  Lifting a 15 lb. anchor; and
4.  Show ability to climb in and of a pram.

 ⇒ PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS:

  I.  Upon successful completion of the Water Survival and Sailing testing as described above, applicants must attend & pass eight weeks of Salty Sister sailing/education classes.

II.  Having completed the eight weeks of classes, Candidates must complete (10) days of active sailing prior to the last week of September 2026.

III.  To maintain their membership, they must complete another ten (10) days of participation the following year ending September 30, 2027.

After successful completion of the eight weeks of sailing/education classes, new members are invited to take part in all Salty Sisters activities and will receive a handbook and name badge.  A formal welcome and charm presentation will take place at the Annual Meeting October of 2026.

Each new member will be required to provide her own U.S Coast Guard Certified Life Vest. Every applicant must sign a standard waiver, releasing Salty Sisters and the St. Petersburg Y.C. from liability for any injury incurred during Salty Sisters activities.

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