In the pink in Baltimore with Women on the Water festivities 

With a morning swim, treasure hunt, water activities, band and prizes this is a fun fundraiser event and a super tribute to founder Joan Collins

Women on the Water — one of the 'best boat' contestants, with Odharnait Collins.

It's glam, it's fun, it's outdoors, it's for a great cause — and it's coming up very soon. 

Women on the Water is 10 years old this year and is taking place on Thursday, August 15. 

The event was set up by the then commodore of Baltimore Sailing Club, Joan Collins. She had been diagnosed with cancer and sadly has since died. Her daughter, Odharnait Collins and the team at the Club have continued the tradition every two years and it has raised close to €100,000 for Breakthrough Cancer research and Marymount Hospice already.

Women on the Water Thursday, August 15, 2024

Basically everyone involved — whether it's on the water or watching and assisting on dry land — gets decked out in pink. Even the boats will be in the pink on the day. There will be several parts to the festivities, including a Pink Treasure Hunt, prizes, and dancing and food.  It all kicks off with an early morning Pink Swim in Baltimore harbour. And then there will be two tables taking registrations for the water competitions: one for people with boats to note how much space for crew they have, and the other for people who don't have a boat but want to get involved. Participants will then be matched up and could end up on a yacht, RIB, currach or a superyacht. Participants then sail or powerboat to a location and have a picnic and the Pink Treasure Hunt begins with lots of really tough clues to find before returning back to live music on Baltimore Pier along with the treasure hunt prizegiving and prizes for the best dressed boat and most fun costume. 

The Women on the Water 2022 morning swim. Later in the day, more than 300 people took to sea in Baltimore Harbour, raising funds for Breakthrough Cancer Research and Marymount Hospice in memory of former BSC Commodore and the late Joan Collins. From kayaks to ribs, paddleboards to pleasure cruisers, the pink gathering was a huge success raising close to €25,000 on a stunning day in West Cork. Picture: Deirdre Horgan

Odharnait pointed out that the on-water aspect only runs from about 2.30-5.30pm and that "there is plenty on land too for people who don't want to go out in boats or who just want to see the spectacle — some friends of mum's prefer that for example". 

Joan Collins had been diagnosed with melanoma (a form of skin cancer) in 2013. The Club noted that "Joan tackled her melanoma with bravery and courage and continued to fight against the disease. In 2014, and determined to continue to live with cancer in a positive way, Joan became commodore of Baltimore Sailing Club. It was during this time that she decided she would like to do her bit to give back and she decided to organise the first ever Women on Water."

Ann and Grahame Copplestone (Commodore of Baltimore Sailing Club) pictured at Women on the Water 2022. Picture: Bob Stokes

"Joan began researching the many incredible charities that fundraise tirelessly to support cancer research, cancer care and cancer patients and their families. It was during this time she came across Breakthrough Cancer Research and was astounded by their research into all types of cancers but particularly into certain strains of cancer that had incredibly low success rates in their response to treatments. Joan met with Orla Dolan of Breakthrough Cancer Research and the ball was set in motion for Women on Water."

The event goes ahead regardless of the weather — it was a blustery afternoon on Sherkin in 2016 when everyone cheered on the 'men on the water, the O'Donovan brothers who won their silver medal in Rio. And in 2018 Women on the Water was back with a friendly treasure hunt in the harbour. "It was impossible to think on the day but less than three months after organising and running this event with as much enthusiasm and energy as ever, Joan sadly passed away in October 2018."

Rob O'Leary, Aine O'Driscoll, Anna Carthy on the Best Dressed Boat, at Women on the Water 2022

In 2019 and breaking the biannual running of Women on the Water, Joan’s friends and family decided to run the event again in her memory. "Tom’s Treasure Hunt, seas of pink, heaven-sent sunshine, food, fun, fundraising and dancing resulted in a wonderful day out." The Joan Collins Memorial Trophy was commissioned and presented for the first time to the Bushe family for the best-dressed boat.

Covid halted the Women on the Water event but as soon as 2022 came around, it was back and bigger than ever. "On what seemed like the sunniest day of the year, a record number of boats and women — and even some men — all dressed in pink, formed a huge flotilla of boats that sailed to Horseshoe Harbour where everyone rafted up together, swam in the sea and began the treasure hunt."

Women on the Water 2022

Odharnait said that while they are hoping for good weather again the event is about focusing on the optimistic side of life. She noted that people even plan their holidays around it now: "My own aunt is flying in from Philadelphia that morning and coming straight down to Baltimore."

Odharnait herself is still finalising her outfit but has been delighted to hear people locally already planning their pink clothing and accessories. "I'll be going on a friend's boat with a bunch of friends — purely because I'll be the last to get on as I'll be rushing around making sure everyone who wants to is on the water."

Women on the Water schedule

11am: fun swim from Baltimore Slip

1.30: Registration

2.30pm: On the water

5.30pm: Collage Band in the Square with an auction, raffle, prize-giving and hot food in the Sailing Club.

Tickets €35 for adults and €10 for children

Dress in pink and bring a life jacket if you have one. 

See baltimoresailingclub.ie and BSC social media