8:30am – 9:30am (1hr)

Get the day started with a breakfast with new sailing friends. Time to familiarize yourself with the lay of he land., introduce yourself to your fellow conference attendees.

9:30am – 12:10pm
on a Independence 20 with CSNO Instructors

BEGINNER

Basic knots, how sails work, points of sail, parts of the boat, sail and control lines, balancing, raising/lowering sails, departing/approaching dock, steering, tacking, gybing, trimming, safety and overboard recovery, communication, situational awareness, and basic rules of the road

9:30am – 12:10pm
with Ellie McCulloch & Capt. Marcia Baker

INTERMEDIATE

For those familiar with sailing try out the asymmetrical spinnaker on a J80. At dock will demonstrate packing, rigging the chute, sprit pole. sail to hoist, gybe, and douse. During sailing we will focus on the basics of main, jib and asymmetrical spinnaker sail trim. The J80 sport boat is known for its spritely sailing and female-friendly operation. You will come away with a new appreciation of the ease of sailing this boat!

9:30am – 12:10pm
with Louise Bienvenu & Capt. Linda Thompson

ADVANCED

For sailors wanting more advanced training on the asymmetrical spinnaker on a J80 – this one is for you. Get out on the water learn more advanced sail trim on the Main, Jib and Spinnaker. Take the J80 sport boat through it’s paces and see what it can do! Learn from the Top Female Skipper on the Gulf Coast!

9:30am – 12:10pm
with Capt. Erica Trejo

INTERMEDIATE

Sailing on a J/30, the intermediate / advanced sailors with some racing experience will practice the teamwork and crew coordination that is essential when flying a symmetrical spin. Practice each position – bow, trimmer, skipper, tactician – and fine tune your spinnaker choreography.

9:30am – 12:10pm
with Capt. Naomi Emmerson

INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED

Do your palms sweat every time you need to leave the slip under power? Not sure how to use spring lines or steer in reverse with a tiller? We’ll get you comfortable, communicative, competent and confident docking a sailboat under power, and how to be a great dockhand for your helmsman.

9:30am – 10:40am (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Donna Sue Marks

INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED

Learn how to get involved in Race Committee and how to prepare, file and attend a protest. One of the best ways to learn more about sailboat racing is by getting involved with the Race Committee! This seminar will review RC duties and how you can help. It will also cover the sailing racer’s biggest fear- PROTESTING. An overview of the Right to Protest, Requirements and the Protest Hearing Process to help ease your protest anxiety.

9:30am – 10:40am (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Pat Dieselman and Capt. Sue LaVoie

ALL LEVELS

How to read a nautical paper chart. Symbols, colors, depths, bottom, compass rose and headings, aids to navigation, and scale. Rules of the Road and tides awareness. Same knowledge needed to read electronic charts. Introduction demonstration to plotting a course, waypoints and calculating speed, course and time for ETA.

9:30am – 10:40am (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Aga Kasprzak

ALL LEVELS

These valuable little things can become big problems if not maintained and serviced regularly. Learn about the elements that make them purr! Oil changes, spare plug inspections, carburetor troubleshooting and fuel supply issues.

9:30am – 10:40am (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Capt. Marie Rogers and Capt. Jodi Weinbecker

ALL LEVELS

Inspire girls and women of all ages, races, and backgrounds to try sailing and to keep sailing for a lifetime. Marie and Jodi have both been involved in creating inclusion and diversity in the sport from youth through adults. How to… Set an example, invite others to join, rebrand the sport as open to everyone, break down the barriers to joining clubs, give opportunities to youth in sailing and celebrate the success of girls, women, and diversity.

9:30am – 10:40am (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Menette Burns

BEGINNERS

Knots; Terms; Resources to get started and keep sailing. Where to find boating access, rent or buy a boat. Available sailing certifications, educational outlets, charter requirements, to one day even getting your Captain’s License! How to connect with other sailors. AND MORE!

11:00am – 12:10pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Capt. Lisa Goodwin

ALL LEVELS

Technical, mental, physical, and emotion proficiencies discussed. Necessity of honest self-assessment. Theory vs Practice. Learning Resources and Opportunities. The importance of Mentorship. The Benefits of Continued Study and Learning. Whether you are crew who is new to offshore sailing, experienced but wanting to fill in some knowledge gaps, or a skipper who is mentoring skill development for his team, there will be some takeaways for everyone.

11:00am – 12:10pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Denise Avellina

ALL LEVELS

Hand sewing techniques for rigging, replacing lines and emergency sail repair, whipping bitter ends, seizing two lines together, basic splicing. Sail repair techniques and sewing canvas with sewing machine and sewing palm. A sewing palm is recommended for this class. Needles and thread will be provided.

11:00am – 12:10pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Monica Morgan

ALL LEVELS

Got a dirty chalky boat? Learn the trick of the trade from a master. Review of products, to clean, refinish, wax and polish. Techniques and procedures to bring back your boats shine and how to protect it from further sun, chemical and water damage.

11:00am – 12:10pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Kris Self

ALL LEVELS

Cruise planning, provisioning, boat maintenance, what to look for, what has been done, what needs to be done, crew safety, crew comfort, weather resources and preparing for weather. Questions about the boat and crew before you board, crew briefing. Matching boat to cruising area, crew size and weather expected. Safety resources, first aid, shade, water, adequate rest. Fun required.

11:00am – 12:10pm (70 minutes) in Classroom
with Guenevere Rae

ALL LEVELS

How boat systems work. Electrical (from fuse box to device), diesel engine connections, fuel (from fill valve to exhaust), water (pumps, valves, pipes). Inspecting and troubleshooting. Determine electrical needs. Converting DC-AC/AC-DC, inverters, alternators, batteries (lead acid to lithium) house and starting. Hands-on: basic wire stripping, terminal attachment, heat shrink, circuit breaker and fuse types, how to test for volts and resistance

11:00am – 12:10pm (70 minutes) Outside / Dockside
with Capt. Debbie Huntsman

Will cover prevention and stress how practice-makes-perfect to mark and to return to a crew in the water. We will specifically cover the Lifesling. Learn a tested method where even a 100lb crew can lift a 250lb injured big fella back on deck — without assistance. This recovery has been successfully tested for COB recovery, while alone. For women who doublehand, this is a MUST know skill.

12:30pm – 1:50pm (1hr 20 min.)

BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award

2:00pm – 4:40pm
on a Independence 20 with CSNO

BEGINNER

Basic knots, how sails work, points of sail, parts of the boat, sail and control lines, balancing, raising/lowering sails, departing/approaching dock, steering, tacking, gybing, trimming, safety and overboard recovery, communication, situational awareness, and basic rules of the road

2:00pm – 4:40pm
with Ellie McCulloch & Capt. Marcia Baker

INTERMEDIATE

For those familiar with sailing try out the asymmetrical spinnaker on a J/80. At dock will demonstrate packing, rigging the chute, sprit pole. sail to hoist, gybe, and douse. During sailing we will focus on the basics of main, jib and asymmetrical spinnaker sail trim. The J80 sport boat is known for its spritely sailing and female-friendly operation. You will come away with a new appreciation of the ease of sailing this boat!

2:00pm – 4:40pm
with Louise Bienvenu & Capt. Linda Thompson

ADVANCED

For those familiar with sailing try out the asymmetrical spinnaker on a J/80. At dock will demonstrate packing, rigging the chute, sprit pole. sail to hoist, gybe, and douse. During sailing we will focus on the basics of main, jib and asymmetrical spinnaker sail trim. The J80 sport boat is known for its spritely sailing and female-friendly operation. You will come away with a new appreciation of the ease of sailing this boat and asymmetrical spinnaker.

2:00pm – 4:40pm (2 hrs  40 min) 
with Elise Read & Capt. Erica Trejo

INTERMEDIATE

From skipper to foredeck, you will learn each crew position to fly an asymmetrical spinnaker. Practice verbal and hand signal communications. 5 Person Crew Positions and their roles: Bow, Mast, Pit, Trimmer, Skipper. Basic racing rules. Additional roles of navigator, tactician and spinnaker packer.

2:00pm – 4:40pm (2 hrs  40 min) 
with Capt. Jodi Weinbecker

ADVANCED

Are you ready to teach? This session will help you prepare for the on the water skills necessary to pass the US Sailing Basic Keelboat course. (for most, this is the hardest part of becoming an instructor!) Skills to practice: Docking, tacking, jibing, stopping, reefing, backing the boat, and overboard rescue. All to be performed single handed!

2:00pm – 3:10pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Hayley Lhamon

INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED

What is the difference between strategy and tactics and how can they help you have a successful race? We’ll discuss solid strategies for predeparture, prestart, start, and around the racecourse. While talking tactics, we’ll review basic racing rules so that you can minimize distraction and spend more time following your game plan!

2:00pm – 3:10pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Denise Avellina

ALL LEVELS

Hand sewing techniques for rigging, replacing lines and emergency sail repair, whipping bitter ends, seizing two lines together, basic splicing. Sail repair techniques and sewing canvas with sewing machine. A sewing palm is recommended for the class. Needles and thread will be provided.

2:00pm – 3:10pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Monica Morgan

ALL LEVELS

How to decide if DIY repair is possible How to approach different size repairs in different places of hull or deck. What to use – epoxy, vinylester, polyester resins? Materials and conditions needed for best results and strength. Finish techniques including color matching and wet sanding techniques.

2:00pm – 3:10pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Patti Jane Golden

ALL LEVELS

Sailing the Northern Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Carrabelle, Florida: The waters and weather patterns, the anchorages and harbors, the races and regattas, the hidden gems, especially the chain of barrier islands from Mississippi to Florida with their state and national parks, historic sites, abundant wildlife, and white sandy beaches..

2:00pm – 3:10pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Capt. Lisa Goodwin

INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED

What is heavy weather (HW) and how to prepare for it, stay in control, and sail safely. Risk Assessment and Mitigating Risks; The Importance of Practice and Equipment Shake Down; Crew Resources; Effective Communication, Observation; Good Watch Keeping Habits; High Winds vs. Big Seas; Creating HW Plan. A bridge/captain’s approach to HW mngmnt. We will touch on reefing, storm sails and other HW tools.

2:00pm – 3:10pm (70 minutes) Dockside
with Capt. Naomi Emmerson

ALL LEVELS

Have you ever sky-ed a halyard or needed to install an antenna? If you are not afraid of heights and want to DIY we will go over equipment, help, lines and gear to ensure safety aloft. We will work as a team (cranking, lookout, communication) to get a few in the bosuns chair and raised just aloft of the boom. Tying secure knots, hoisting equipment, proper handling of tools while aloft.

3:30pm – 4:40pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Capt. Beth Berry

ALL LEVELS

Electronic options for getting weather, navigating, tracking and communications for near coastal and offshore. GPS, AIS, VHF, EPIRB/PLB, Phone Apps, Navionics, Saavy Naavy, Aquamap, iNavX, Starlink, Iridium Go, SPOT, and others!.

3:30pm – 4:40pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Pat Dieselman and Capt. Sue LaVoie

ALL LEVELS

How to read a nautical paper chart. Symbols, colors, depths, bottom, compass rose and headings, aids to navigation, and scale. Rules of the Road and tides awareness. Same knowledge needed to read electronic charts. Introduction demonstration to plotting a course, waypoints and calculating speed, course and time for ETA.

3:30pm – 4:40pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Aga Kasprzak

ALL LEVELS

These valuable little things can become big problems if not maintained and serviced regularly. Learn about the elements that make them purr! Oil changes, spare plug inspections, carburetor troubleshooting and fuel supply issues.

3:30am – 4:40am (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Menette Burns

BEGINNERS

Knots; Terms; Resources to get started and keep sailing. Where to find boating access, rent or buy a boat. Available sailing certifications, educational outlets, charter requirements, to one day even getting your Captain’s License! How to connect with other sailors. AND MORE!

3:30pm – 4:40pm (70 minutes) In Classroom
with Patti Jane Golden

ALL LEVELS

Being able to immediately locate tools, medicines, spare parts and emergency items is a matter of safety. This dockside class will address: Stowing all necessary items in a logical, appropriate, and accessible location so that they can be found in a hurry. Creating visual aids and helpful references. Provisioning do’s and don’ts. Proper use of topside compartments. Patti Jane Golden will show how she does it on her 40-foot sailboat.

3:30pm – 4:40pm (70 minutes) Outside/ Dockside
with Capt. Debbie Huntsman

ALL LEVELS

Avoid Mayhem and Mishaps — S#$% happens, but with a few fundamental practices and prevention planning the stuff can stay small, or better yet, be avoided. Learn practical safety hacks and mayhem avoidance skills..

5:00pm – 7:00pm (2 hrs)

Gather for some snacks and a beverage to share your sailing stories from the day’s events with newly formed friendships. Help raise funds for our scholarships and AdventureSail program by taking part in our fabulous raffle.