Lake Minnetonka, world-famous for its classic summer lifestyle, is also home to one of the country’s most prestigious adult women’s sailing programs called “Women On The Water” or just “WOW.” It’s organized through the Lake Minnetonka Sailing School (LMSS), which, in turn, is a partner with the world-famous Minnetonka Yacht Club (MYC).
Minnetonka Yacht Club, organized in 1882, is the oldest yacht club west of the Mississippi River and sits on its own private island. Its sailing venue expanse surrounds the island as a perfect and legendary place to learn to sail.
The main organizer of WOW is Clare Leeper, a dedicated influencer of the sport. Clare grew up sailing locally with her parents in her early years and then lived the same experience as her current youth students with sailing camps and high school and university-level teams. She is also an accomplished competitive sailor in her own right.
When you meet Clare, she exudes her passion for sailing, and her enthusiasm for the WOW mission perfectly fits its name.
Reflecting on the origins of WOW, Clare says, “When we think of women’s sports, we usually think of the major team sports such as hockey or basketball, but often these genres can be a barrier to those who do not have previous athletic experience or are simply shy of the team setting. WOW was created for women from all backgrounds, abilities, and ages to stir their sense of adventure and fill it with the lifetime sport of sailing.”
One of the key mantras of WOW is to welcome all women to sailing, regardless of previous experience. Initially, it consisted of several casual ‘charcuterie and cheese’ sailing outings during the summer months with invited newcomers. The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive.
Clare and her co-director Samuel then expanded this opportunity to meet the demand yet kept the casual and beginner nature of these mini adventures. The result for 2025 is four different learn-to-sale class series sessions, one for each month from June to September, with each session consisting of four classes during their respective month. In other words, registering for a session gives you four weekly outings during one of the summer months.
The focus of the learn to sail sessions is camaraderie, fun, and encouragement for women of all walks of life and abilities in a comfortable and safe setting. It is taught for women by women. The classes are held on the very stable (won’t tip over) Sonar keelboat, typically with four students per boat. With a prudent skipper like Clare, you can also be confident that safety is number one. Clare continues, “Many of our patrons come into the program alone but leave with lifelong friendships.”
There is an old saying: “Any time two sailboats are within sight of each other, there’s a race going on.” For those who have caught the bug but now want to take it to the next level, WOW has added a similar set of three summer sessions, each with four outings that take sailing to the next level: racing.
Racing sailors can sail on the new RS Fevas XL boats, adding some excitement to the game. Sessions will still have the fun and camaraderie, of course, but will focus on the knowledge and skills to skipper or crew a boat in a competitive event.
“WOW is intended to ignite a passion in the lifetime sport of sailing,” says Clare. “We have participants that range from young adults to those in their 80s. Our goal is for women to become members of Minnetonka Yacht Club and begin racing in local club races. This can eventually lead to being a member of a competitive team at regional and national levels in ILYA (Inland Lakes Yachting Association) events and Melges 15 regattas.”
Whether it’s enjoying the “charcuterie and cheese” events, the friendships, or pursuing a competitive racing future, the WOW program is worth a look.
Perhaps this could be your passion, too?
Check out LMSS Women on the Water at: https://www.lmss.us/evening-offerings/wow
Many of our patrons come into the program alone but leave with lifelong friendships.