For a group of Air Force wives, it’s been 43 years of learning to sail
Issue 34: Jan/Feb 2004
ALOVE OF SAILING AND THE SEA brought a group of women together in 1961, and the group they founded has been going strong ever since. This group, the Wet Hens, is made up of military wives who volunteer their time to teach sailing to other women associated with the military. Classes are open to women in all branches of the service in Hawaii. Hickam Harbor on Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii offers beautiful turquoise water surrounded by a protective reef, the background of Diamond Head, and steady trade winds. It’s a perfect place to sail.
Sailing is just what 10 women decided to do in 1961. At that time, no sailing classes were offered for those of the female gender. One sailor offered to change the situation. Papa Lou Foster had been brought to Hickam by the Air Force in 1957 to design the marina there. He and a few dedicated watersport enthusiasts built the marina using funds accumulated from the profits of the base PX, theater, and similar operations. Papa Lou’s philosophy was that in order to keep military personnel happy, their families needed to be happy too, especially when stationed far from home. Because there was a need, he taught the women to sail.
When I took my first sailing class from the Wet Hens, I had never stepped onto a sailboat. The Wet Hens made me feel comfortable. My husband was serving a one-year tour in Korea. The Wet Hens provided me with a great deal of support while he was gone. Before long, I was having so much fun I didn’t even realize I was learning. Through my association with the group, I have developed a love of sailing and many friendships I will have the rest of my life.
Provided support
During a recent class, many students’ husbands were also deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom, which started during our 10-week course. The class provided support and improved their morale during this rough time. When Papa Lou taught a few women to sail in 1961, he never dreamed that the Wet Hens organization would be just as important to military wives more than 40 years later. To date, a total of 1,700 students have learned to sail, thanks to the efforts of the Wet Hens volunteers.
The group came to be known as Wet Hens when his original group of students told Papa Lou they were thinking of buying a boat and starting a women’s sailing club. His gruff answer was, “That’s all I need around here, a bunch of wet hens.” Before he knew it, Papa Lou was adopted by the members of a brand-new sailing club as the “ornery ol’ rooster.” In return, he gave the Wet Hens enormous support.
In 1962, soon after the group was formed, the Wet Hens launched Kochi, a 22-foot Star that they had found and refurbished. By 1971, a Rhodes 19 named Wet Hen was hoisted in. These days the basic sailing class is taught on Holder 14s but will soon be taught on brand-new Catalina 14s. The Wet Hens also teach an advanced class and actively race on the original Rhodes 19.
Since Wet Hens sailing instructors are all volunteers, their paycheck comes in the form of a smile on each student’s face as she completes her solo sail at the end of the 10-week course. Wet Hens instructors today are very different from the original 10, yet they are alike in their love of the sea and sailing. Many now work outside the home and lead very busy lives, but they still find time every Thursday morning to make their way down to Hickam Harbor. If they’re not teaching, they’re working to further their skills. All instructors are certified in CPR and first aid and many are also certified U.S. Sailing instructors. The basic sailing class incorporates the sailing vocabulary, a swim test, wind theory, knots, crew overboard recovery, capsize recovery, safety, racing, and most of all . . . fun.
Good deeds
The Wet Hens are busy helping others both on and off the water. They have always been actively involved in sailing-related activities, harbor projects, fundraising, and maintaining the boats in their fleet. They raise funds to help instructors attend the U.S. Sailing Small Boat Instructor course, and they get involved in community activities such as the salvaging of the ship Falls of Clyde. In 1982, the Wet Hens made history by becoming the first group to win the prestigious MacFarlane Trophy, which is presented annually to the person who has contributed most to yachting in Hawaii.
Wet Hens instructors’ spouses, nicknamed The Henpeckers, support their wives. Many of the husbands and children have also learned to sail. The Wet Hens and their families are active in the Pacific Yacht Club on Hickam Air Force base, which holds races twice a month and hosts other races for sailing organizations from around the island.
Every 5 years previous Wet Hens instructors return from all over the world for a reunion. Papa Lou Foster makes the trip from his home in California.
Today, at almost any military base, you will find someone who has benefited from the Wet Hens experience. Involvement in the Wet Hens is truly a lifetime thing.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
