HELPING WOMEN ON COURSE TO FREEDOM
The owner-operator of Australian Freedom Boat Club on the Gold Coast is committed to empowering women with knowledge and skills to enjoy boating, traditionally male dominated.
Patrick Edwards has been nominated for the Champion of Women category presented by Village Roadshow Theme Parks for this year’s Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year Awards by Harvey Norman.
Mr Edwards said he was a yacht broker when he first moved to the Gold Coast but decided it wasn’t the right move for him – which is when he discovered the Freedom Boat Club.
“When I got told about this model, it just made sense, but not only for me as an experienced boatie, but for someone who doesn’t have any experience at all.
“That’s probably the most daunting part for someone looking to get into boating – the fact we offer one-on-one training builds the confidence.
“It’s amazing to see some of our members have gone from no boating experience, to now being able to take one
by themselves, having the confidence,” he said.
Mr Edwards said the industry standard was that boating was a male dominated field but he was trying to change that.
“Giving the confidence to someone who is able to stand up against those stereotypes is what we’re all about.
“It’s a very hard (industry) to crack and giving someone the confidence to do that is
amazing, we get women saying ‘Oh no, I won’t drive the boat, I’ll sit and drink the champagne’.
“We always say to them ‘Why don’t you give it a try’ and then see them build their
confidence and become that person steering the boat is pretty cool,” he said.
The Gold Coast branch of the Australian Freedom Boat Club has 87 users – 41 are women. More than 35 per
cent of Freedom Boat Club’s Australian members are women.
Nominations for 12 Women of the Year awards categories are open until September 21 – you can self nominate.