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Then by focusing on making the boat go where we want, we can divert our thoughts from negative ones to purposeful ones. Our organization’s goal is to share sailing — particularly with women and girls from every background. Please help us spread the news of women’s sailing events by sending the information to us. Please look for opportunities to be an encourager. Help that new sailor learn some nautical terms or knots or race strategies. Listen to others when they share their enthusiasm for our sport and their recent accomplishments. Nominations for the prestigious BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award are being accepted until Feb. 1, 2025. The award is given annually to honor an individual who has a record of achievement in inspiring, educating and enriching the lives of women through sailing. If you have previously nominated a person, let us know if you would like to update their resume for continued consideration. If you know of a person who has significantly impacted women’s sailing, please consider nominating them. Several NWSA Board members will be attending the US Sailing Leadership Forum in San Diego Let’s go Sailing!
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BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award
Nominations are open — Honor your sailing hero
The National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) and Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) have opened nominations for the 2025 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award. Since 1999 the national award has sought to recognize an individual with a record of achievement in inspiring, educating, and enriching the lives of women through sailing. Past recipients have included sailing instructors, writers, sailboat racers and cruisers, marine industry professionals, and boating club leaders from a wide variety of professions.
Submit nominations through February 1, 2025
The 2025 recipient will be announced at the Annual National Women’s Sailing Association conference luncheon in St. Petersburg, Florida, on June 7, 2025.
Said NWSA President Debby Grimm, “We are proud to recognize the contributions women have made to the sailing community and encourage women’s participation in the sport.” Speaking to NWSA’s partnership with BoatUS, Grimm added, “We seek to introduce more women to sailing, a lifetime sport and healthy lifestyle to share with others. Sailing teaches leadership skills, STEM skills, and teambuilding and promotes enjoyment of nature and responsibility. Both of our organizations nurture the skills and sense of community to help sailors grow through their boating lives.”
Inga Grimmett is an emerging filmmaker with an interest in documentaries and short films. She has also always been interested in sailing. After she began filming a short documentary on sailing, her curiosity turned into action. Through the Los Angeles Yacht Club, Inga began to take courses with member Marie Rogers (whom a portion of her documentary is about).
Inga says, “Sailing is an addicting, life-changing experience that will make you feel freedom and fear (both) at the same time. Sailing is a beautiful sport. It’s fun and magical and at the same time teaches you how to be a team player. It helps you to think on your toes and to make quick and (hopefully) great decisions.”
When asked to share words of wisdom for young sailors, Inga added, “Educate yourself on sailing. Read books and find resources that keep your interest sparked. Take sailing classes if you can, especially if you can find community sailing courses. Get hands-on experience by volunteering and chartering boats. Also, make water safety a priority. Learn all you can so that when you’re old enough to sail with your friends, you can do it with confidence knowing that you’re fully aware that you can handle yourself just in case an emergency arises.”
Be like Inga, sign up to volunteer!
The She Sailor Sea Story episode is sponsored by American Sailing
RSVP
Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship
The Women’s Sailing Foundation offers the Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship for an enhanced sailing experience or program for a teenage girl. Apply before midnight (Eastern) on April 15.
This special scholarship is offered to girls between the ages of 14 and 19 with a financial need to broaden their sailing experiences. The opportunities in which the scholarship may be applied include, but are not limited to, an enrollment in:
• An advanced sailing program
• A racing program
• A tall ship or live-aboard experience
• A marine or maritime-related program
Sailing-related programs will take precedence. The successful applicant will receive $500 in scholarship funds payable to their program. A person can only receive the Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship once.
— OR —
Girls who attended an AdventureSail in 2023 are eligible to receive a Learn to Sail Youth Scholarship. The scholarship for up to $500 can be applied to any recognized sailing program. AdventureSail participants must apply for the scholarship within one year of their participation.
Ask for a letter of recommendation. Write an essay. Apply!
Host your AdventureSail® in 2025!
The National Women’s Sailing Association has enabled and encouraged women’s sailing clubs, yacht clubs and sailing centers across the nation to host annual AdventureSail programs. Since 1996 we have understood the importance of providing opportunities to girls for sailing early. And we know barriers preventing all young women and girls from making it to the water can and should be overcome. We can help you make sailing more accessible to young women ages 9 to14.
Encourage girls to try sailing, regardless of their backgrounds, social or financial status
“The AdventureSail program is flexible in that a host facility determines what the adventure will be like, what kinds of activities and boats will be included, and a date can be scheduled that suits the girls and the hosts best. Long-time AdventureSail hosts have already had 2025 events on their calendars.”
The girls attending are then elegible to apply for sailing scholarships!
AdventureSail® continues to expand its programs to serve new areas of the country and to involve a growing number of girl-serving organizations.
All girls deserve the opportunity to learn to love sailing the way we do.
Women’s Sailing Calendar of Events
NWSA’s She Sailor Sea Story — Çlean Sweep January 17, 2025
US Sailing | Sailing Leadership Forum 2025 February 6–8, 2025
San Diego Yacht Club Women’s Winter Invitational February 14–16, 2025
Ladies Sailing Retreat — Grenada with Capt. Deb March 15–22, 2025
American Sailing | North U Performance Race Week March 24–28, 2025
Narragansett Sailing School Annual Women’s Conference April 12, 2025
National Women’s Sailing Association Conference June 6–8
Please send us your women’s sailing events. We are stoked to share sailing!
Support of women and girls sailing through your NWSA membership
There are other benefits of membership:
- * Access to exclusive content, like video interviews, video educational instruction
- * Discounted pricing for the Annual Conference and Early Bird Workshop Selection
- * Discount offers to products and services from our sponsors and affiliates
- * Discount coupons for our store
When you choose from any of the options below, you will also be added to our newsletter to receive all the upcoming news and events right in your inbox.
Choose the membership plan that best suits you: (we recommend the auto renew option so you can feel confident your support will continue without having to remember)
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization primarilary funded by your membership to serve our mission to enrich the lives of women and girls through education and access to sailing.
Please join us for an annual fee of $45, or three years for $100. Help us Share Sailing!
DONATE TO SUPPORT US ON DECEMBER 3
