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2023 National Women’s Sailing Conference News

Excitement has been building for the 2023 National Women’s Sailing Association Conference on June 3, at Sail Newport in Rhode Island. The workshops and the women instructors who will teach are top notch. So, don’t delay, take advantage of early selection for the sailing workshops you want most as well as the members ONLY pricing.

NWSA members get early bird registration discount of $50 from April 1 – 16. Log in to receive your member code. Then register with benefits.

General registration will begin April 17.

Spotlight on Captain Charlie Arms

Captain Charlie is a US Sailing Small Boat Sailing Instructor Trainer, which means she works to qualify instructors. Charlie has served on the US Sailing National Faculty for Small Boat, Keelboat, and Powerboat. She has offered to share her vast judging experience and knowledge with racers by presenting, Protest Room from Both Sides, at the National Women’s Sailing Conference on June 3.

Read more about Captain Arms

Thanks to Charlie and the many skilled volunteer Conference instructors who will share their knowledge and enthusiasm for sailing with you.

Featured Virtual Conference Panel: Green On The Deep Blue

It is a given we all love the ocean and waters that we sail on. Green on the Deep Blue session will feature presentations by a variety of panelists. An impressive group of high school girl sailors will discuss their STEM for Good work. Also hear from pros, Rachael Z. Miller of the Rozalia Project and Lisa Rustin from the world’s first LEED certified marina. Learn how they each approach sustainability. Together this Green Team shows us hope and guidance to practice small sustainable acts to protect fundamental resources: the oceans, seas and other waterways.

Additional virtual panels include AIS, DIY Sewing and presentation of the 2023 Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award honoree. Can’t make it to Newport? Attend virtually. All virtual and in-person registrants will have access to these presentations for 30 days after the conference.

Students at Ursuline Academy of New Orleans are building sustainable sails to help the environment and sustainability. Read more.

Other Conference Highlights

Be a part of a special presentation of the 2023 Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award co-sponsored by NWSA and BoatUS®. The Award, given annually to honor an individual who has a record of achievement in inspiring, educating and enriching the lives of women through sailing, began in 1990. Our keynote speaker, the honoree, is a notable leader who has a long record of advocating for women’s sailing. Read about past honorees HERE.

On June 4, enjoy Sunday brunch with friends while supporting the Women’s Sailing Foundation’s scholarships for girls and women sailors. Some fantastic raffle items have been donated to raise funds. Your attendance and purchase of raffle tickets at this event will support the continuation of our AdventureSail® program and youth scholarships. NWSA swag will be available for purchase too. The Sunday Fundraising Brunch is open to everyone, does not require conference attendance! So, bring your friends and donate to win one of our wonderful raffle items. Click for tickets and info.

President’s View From The Helm

Hello! I’m excited to begin my journey as President of NWSA/WSF.

This organization’s mission is dear to my heart — getting more women and girls involved in sailing. The all-volunteer board and committees are working hard on this mission. Let me know if you would like to join a committee.

Since I live in New Orleans, our sailing season barely pauses during the winter months. But we celebrate the return of our Wednesday night races with fireworks. Above is my family boat, Hot Chocolate, sailing back towards shore under the lit up sky.

I hope to connect with you either in-person around NOLA or at Newport or via e-mail.

Fair winds!
Debby Grimm
WSF / NWSA president

Girls, There’s Still Time. Apply For The Sue Corl Scholarship

The Women’s Sailing Foundation offers the Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship for an enhanced sailing experience or program for a teenage girl. This special scholarship is for girls ages 14-19 with a financial need to broaden their sailing experiences. The scholarship may be applied to include, but is not limited to enrollment in:

— An advanced sailing program
— A racing program
— A tall ship or live-aboard experience
— A marine or maritime-related program

Apply until April 15.
Correction: In the previous Take the Helm the deadline was incorrectly stated as March 15.  The successful recipient will receive up to $500 in scholarship funds payable to her program fee.

Direct questions to SueCorlScholarship@womensailing.org.

Host an AdventureSail®

AUGUST 12, 2023 or any day good for adventure

Complete the questionnaire regarding intent to host an AdventureSail.
Take underserved girls ages 9 to 14 sailing!

Change of Watch

Thank you to ELISE READ, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT, for her service as president. She has passed the helm to DEBBY GRIMM, to serve the Women’s Sailing Foundation and NWSA as president. Our gratitude also goes to the officers and directors who are continuing for another year.

DEBBY GRIMM, President, is a multiple winner of both the Gulf Yachting Association Women’s PHRF Championship and the Coco Seemann Regatta (one design keelboat women’s regatta). She took honors multiple times for both the Race for the Roses and Women’s Trilogy on the Gulf Coast. Debby Grimm was Female Sailor of the Year at New Orleans Yacht Club in 2001. Grimm was Southern Yacht Club’s outstanding woman sailor in 2012 and 2022. Grimm was a founding member and is past and current Commodore of the Lake Pontchartrain Women’s Sailing Association. Dr. Grimm is a research scientist at Tulane’s Coordinated Instrumentation Facility. She is married to Casey Grimm, and they have a 20-year-old daughter, Kaylor. Grimm served as Vice President from 2021.

DEBBIE HUNTSMAN, Vice President, is pleased to have the opportunity to serve as vice president for a second time. Huntsman joined the Board in 2016, was elected Vice President the first time in 2017, served as President from 2018–21 and Immediate Past President from 2021.

BARBARA ROBERTSON, Treasurer, spends summers in Maine aboard a Freedom 36/38, Whimbrel. A member of the Bluewater Sailing Club, she participates in their annual Maine cruise. She has presented at the annual conference, teaching women to run dinghies and anchoring. Robertson joined NWSA in 2017 and the board in 2019.

NAOMI EMMERSON, Secretary (The Desert Sailor), inherited a love of sailing from her father as she learned on the family’s Mistral 16. Fast-forward 40 years — she is a certified instructor for the American Sailing Association and the United States Power Squadron. Emmerson joined the board in 2021.

ELISE READ, Immediate Past President, came to sailing when she bought a 1969 Southcoast 23. Most of her sailing experience has been on both monohull and multihull vessels at course racing events along the Gulf Coast. Racers, Elise and her husband, have near term plans to cruise on their Dragonfly 32 to explore the Gulf of Mexico and the Bahamas.

Meet all the DIRECTORS

Our work is made possible by your financial support

Please consider a donation to help us with the expense of creating programs for 2023. The Women’s Sailing Foundation is a 501(3)(c) charitable organization. Direct your donation to the Women’s Sailing Foundation, AdventureSail® or the Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship fund. Thank you!

WE GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2023 NATIONAL WOMEN’S SAILING CONFERENCE SPONSORS!