Team Morvoren is a women’s sailing team making waves for sustainability and gender equity. We sail a J24 out of Saltash Sailing Club in the southwest UK, with ambitions to compete in the World Championships in 2025.
Contact:
Vision
- Sailing and water sports accessible to all
- A sustainability conscious industry
- Ocean literacy in support of environmental and human wellbeing
Mission
- To advocate for inclusive sailing communities
- To empower and support women sailors
- To engage diverse audiences in marine citizen science
Morvoren is the Cornish for mermaid. In folklore, mermaids are mysterious and powerful, often bringing about lively weather events when crossed by locals, usually men. We of course aren’t of folklore, but sailing still has gender imbalance and discrimination issues. Women in Sailing (WiS) highlighted this in a 2019 survey indicating that the majority of women in sailing have faced discrimination (59%).
Through weekly racing, and practice on the Tamar River we offer anyone the chance to get on the water, learn to sail, and hone their skills, from newcomers to accomplished sailors, of all ages. Consequently, this is particularly important as the WiS survey also showed that discrimination experience rises to 71% for women 26-30 years old.
Within the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, Saltash Sailing Club’s members are eager to learn more and support the health of their marine environment. This aligns with results of an extensive UK government survey showing that most of the public (80%) see ocean protection as vital. Through talks, workshops, and activities, we support the Club’s members in this endeavour.
Meet the Team
Our core team is comprised of six women who, between them, have extensive sailing, water sport, sustainability, environmental, and marine science expertise. They are training and competing together in qualifying events this year, and next, to secure their place in the 2025 World Championships.
They are joined by a broader group of women sailors who want to learn to sail, gain more experience, and/or race in a friendly and supportive environment.
Collectively, we are Team Morvoren
Our Boat
We have been generously loaned Red Alert, a J24 keelboat (Westerly), by a Saltash Sailing Club member.
Red Alert lives at Saltash Sailing Club and races weekly on the Tamar River. We are also sailing on Hustle and Hitchhiker, kindly loaned for qualifying regattas over the summer.
We will hopefully secure our place as a British entry to the 2025 World Championship event. These events include regattas in Plymouth Sound, Torbay, Poole, and others.
We have been invited to race in the 2024 World Championships in Seattle this October. Currently, this is dependent on securing financial support for our entry, sails, and travel. Our J24 and accommodation have been generously provided.
The World Championships in 2025 will take place in September, hosted by the Plym Yacht Club and Saltash Sailing Club with racing in Plymouth Sound.
Sponsorship
A huge thank you to our sponsors who provide us with all important kit, publicity, enthusiasm, and finances!
We are actively seeking sponsors! Please get in touch with Chloe by email: chloebnunn@gmail.com
Join us and be a catalyst for a sustainable ocean and gender equity!