Episode #169: Sue Thotz and Cindy Schmitz on Women on Water

In this episode of Good Jibes, we chat with Sue Thotz and returning guest Cindy Schmitz about the magic behind Women on Water (WOW). Women on Water takes place every 3rd Saturday of the month at Los Angeles Yacht Club (LAYC). The program stands as a beacon of empowerment and skill-building for women in the world of sailing.

Tune in as host Ryan Foland chats with Sue and Cindy about how to have Plan B and Plan W ready to go when sailing, why the Women on Water program is the best way to learn sailing, the importance of community sailing programs, how we can make sailing more welcoming, and Sue’s most memorable whale encounter.

Here’s a sample of what you’ll hear in this episode: 

• What to do when things keep going wrong?
• What is Women on Water?
• How to have great days most of the time? 
• Where to find community sailing programs?
• How to make people feel comfortable in the sailing space so that they know that they belong here?
• A sailing story where Sue had to go to Plan W

Learn more about Women on Water at LAYC.org, Sue on LinkedIn, and Ryan at Ryan.Online.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots — follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!

Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

• Sue Thotz & Cindy Schmitz on Women on Water
  • [0:21] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [1:48] You can use the search function at Latitude38.com to see articles all the way back to 1977
  • [2:00] How to find out more about Women on Water? Check the website or email [email protected]
  • [2:11] What’s a sailing story that shaped Sue?
  • [5:27] Tell us about this beautiful, vintage, amazing piece of misery, which also brings happiness
  • [7:55] Are you familiar with GingerGPT?
  • [10:48] Is your boat the actual mascot for Women on Water (WOW)?
  • [11:13] How do you have a good day most days?
  • [14:37] If you’d like to be a sponsor, email [email protected] 
  • Women on Water (WOW)
  • [15:06] How to problem solve when things keep going wrong?
  • [21:10] Is your husband risky and is there that yin and yang between you?
  • [23:09] Don’t you wanna be out there sailing? But, how would I ever do that? 
  • [24:06] What is Women on Water? When did it start? Where are they at? Where is it available? How can people learn more?
  • [24:31] Learn more about WOW at LAYC.org
  • [26:40] What was Cindy’s experience learning to sail without a Los Angeles Yacht Club affiliation?
  • [28:45] What boats do you give lessons on?
  • [32:22] Are there other places doing community sailing?
  • [37:21] Visit our Classy Classifieds or tell us your sailing story at Latitude38.com
  • Sailing Community
  • [37:35] Can you talk about how the community is growing?
  • [39:54] How do you make people feel comfortable in this space so that they know that they belong here?
  • [43:13] You don’t need the sailboat to create community
  • [46:07] Is the goal to expand and influence people at the Blue Water Cruising Club (BWCC) to match you when you go?
  • [51:07] How to find out more about Women on Water? Check the website or email [email protected]
  • [53:27] Final thoughts from Cindy
  • Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
  • Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • Check out the December 2024 issue of Latitude 38
  • Theme Song: “Pineapple Dream” by Solxis