SheHelms Sailingvideo
Special Edition - JoJo Pickering - Why I started SheHelms Sailing
September 24, 2026 · 44 min · 281 views
What this video covers
Jojo Pickering, an RYA Yachtmaster instructor and professional skipper, founded SheHelms Sailing to create a supportive, women-centered community for sailors of all experience levels.0:29 Pickering identifies a persistent gender bias in the sailing industry, noting that women often face condescension, exclusion from technical tasks, and ridicule in male-dominated online forums.10:03 She advocates for women-only sailing spaces to foster confidence and skill development, particularly for those sidelined by partners or discouraged by traditional sailing culture.16:16 Her own sailing background includes a two-year family voyage to the Caribbean aboard the boat Island Swift, where she managed mechanical failures, including a broken fuel lift pump that required manual pumping during a challenging arrival in the Azores.29:12 Pickering encourages aspiring sailors to pursue training through sail training organizations or yacht clubs, seek female mentors, and consider purchasing affordable, simpler vessels to avoid the high costs and maintenance burdens of complex, modern yachts.37:04
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