WOW What a Wonderful World

Article and photo by CHRIS ALBANIS, MD

Women on the Water (WOW) is out in full force at the Chicago Yacht Club in 2016, and we are calling all ladies to join us for the plethora of Women’s Committee events. Favorites from 2015 are continuing like the Ladies’ Lunch and Learn series at Monroe, Ladies’ Happy Hours, and the WOW sonar sailing series.

NEW this year, thanks to the efforts of Laura Sigmond and Amy Kehoe, was the WOW Winter Seminar Series. In the middle of winter, this series brought 15-20 women together every other week to learn about sailing and events on the water. Amidst the teaching, we enjoyed delicious dishes from Chef Larry, networked and dreamt about summer! A favorite part of the evening was always “Name that Knot” where we learned how to tie the “knot of the night.”

If you’re looking for a friendly, low-key sailing environment, join us on the water this summer! Professional instruction for women, by women, will be available on the fleet of Sonars. By popular demand, the number of dates has doubled from those offered in 2015.

We are partnering with our fleet surgeon, Dr. Regan Thomas, to start a health care lecture series. Near and dear to my heart, this series will feature topics relevant to all of us regardless of age, beauty or health status. Also new this year is the architectural boat tour kicking off the America’s Cup week!

Speaking of the America’s Cup, let’s not forget the Fashion Show and Boutique on Wednesday, May 4 featuring “America’s Cup ~ Chicago Style.” This sell-out event brings together fashions, a fabulous marketplace/boutique where you can shop till you drop, and fun times during this longstanding tradition. Nancy Berberian is leading the effort in bringing many new boutique vendors, so come early to shop! We are proud to once again support the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation with our raffle.

While we are all still dreaming of summer, start preparing to attend events later in the year, including the ladies skippers’ race, networking club crawl (10/6), Harvest Wine Dinner (10/13), and Barbara Rinella Book reading (10/25). Needless to say, there is something for everyone!