Excitement has been building for the 2023 National Women’s Sailing Association Conference on June 3, at Sail Newport in Rhode Island. The women instructors are top notch. So are their presentations. Most workshops have limited enrollment. To get best selection, don’t delay. Determine your track, (beginner, immediate or advanced). Sign up. Make your selection for the sailing workshops you want most. National Women’s Sailing Conference website is NWSA.quvent.com.

Featured Conference Presenter

Captain Lisa Goodwin is a third generation sailor who lives on Cape Cod, MA. She holds a USCG 100 ton Master / 200 ton Ocean Mate license. Since 2009, she has logged over 65,000 nm, that include ocean crossings, dozens of deliveries from New England to the Caribbean, and a 50S – 50S rounding of Cape Horn on a square rigger.

Thanks to Captain Goodwin and the other fabulous volunteer instructors who will share their knowledge and enthusiasm for sailing, and their boats with you.

Read more about Captain Lisa Goodwin.

Beyond Rhode Island — Virtually

If you are unable to attend the conference in person, join the learning virtually. Learn about DIY sewing projects for your sailboat. Be inspired to sail green by Rachael Z. Miller and an impressive group of high school girls. Meet the 2023 Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award honoree. And learn about the greatest innovation in navigation technology since radar—AIS.

Supertankers, cargo and cruise ships have long used AIS, (Automatic Identification System) to avoid collisions. Many recreational sailors now have AIS access aboard. When AIS is combined with AMVER, (Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue), search and rescue authorities have benefit of assistance from thousands of ships. Commercial vessels from hundreds of nations voluntarily assist persons in distress at sea.

Capt. Debbie Huntsman will show how this important electronic tool, and the safety network it creates, can also serve a recreational sailor well.

A Leader in Women’s Sailing

Our speaker is the recipient of the 2023 Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award (LIWSA). The Award, co-sponsored by NWSA and BoatUS®, is announced annually at the conference to honor an individual who has a record of achievement in inspiring, educating and enriching the lives of women through sailing. The recipient is a notable national leader who has an impressive sailing pedigree and a long record of advocating for women’s sailing. Find out more about the sailing luminaries NWSA has chosen as LIWSA honorees since 1990 HERE.

Brunch to Benefit Girl’s Sailing

The Conference Sunday Brunch Benefit on June 4 is open to everyone. Come with friends and family to support the Women’s Sailing Foundation’s scholarships for girls and women sailors. A teacup raffle will give you targeted chances to win from a wide array of raffle items, which have been donated to raise funds. Your attendance and purchase of raffle tickets will support the continuation of the AdventureSail® and youth scholarships programs for underserved girls.

NWSA swag will be available for purchase too. The brunch, which does not require conference attendance, is at the Elks Lodge, 141 Pelham Street in Newport. Reserve your space by May 26.  Click here to purchase tickets.

President’s View from the Helm

Hello! Spring has sprung! Our members in the northern latitudes are thawing out and those farther south are hopefully enjoying the spring breezes on the water.

New Orleans, LA where I live and sail, has had some beautiful sunsets, like the one below. Jodi Weinbecker, NWSA board member, took the picture aboard my boat on a recent Wednesday night race. Jodi was visiting Community Sailing New Orleans.

I hope to see many of you at our National Women’s Sailing Conference at Sail Newport (Rhode Island) on June 3. It will offer a wonderful way to hone your sailing skills and knowledge and network with others. On Sunday, we are having a fundraising brunch to help fund our scholarship and AdventureSail® programs.

Our conference committee is diligently working to pull it all together. If you cannot make it to Newport, I’d encourage you to join with a virtual pass. The pass will give you access to several seminars to be viewed anytime from June 3 to the end of June. I’d also encourage you to consider a membership and or a donation via our webpage.

Debby Grimm

WSF / NWSA president

Photo courtesy of Jodi Weinbecker.

Women’s Sailing Event News

On April 1, Gail Hine’s Sailing Convention for Women in Newport Beach, CA, served a record number of first time attendees. The event was charged with enthusiasm and excitement for the sport. The weather was awesome. And it was another great success for SoCal women’s sailing. Women’s Sailing Foundation board members volunteered with prep and presentations.

Left to right, standing: Barbara Morris, Debbie Huntsman and Marie Rogers. Left to righ seated: Naomi Emmerson with Gail Hine.

Narragansett Sailing School’s Women’s Conference on Friday, April 14 was a huge success. Attendees rotated through four different 90 minute workshops. Lunch gave sailors a chance to socialize and connect. Join the next Narragansett Sailing School Women’s Conference next April! Enjoy their wonderful community.

Woman-owned Narragansett Sailing School offers women’s learning oppertunities year round.

In checking in with the Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference on May 13 — it has sold out! That’s awesome. The event, as well as the volunteers from the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center and Milwaukee Bay Women’s Sailing Organization, welcome women of all sailing abilities and skill levels. Congratulations for their continued work in service to women sailors by making this long-standing event a successful reality every year.

Windward Bound Camp, a part of the Women’s Sailing Association of the Houston Yacht Club, is celebrating decades of women teaching women how to sail. The Camp is a 4-day camp that seeks to introduce women to sailing or help women sharpen their skills. The event will begin on May 31st this year.

Tumbleweed Sailing’s Women on Water — Arizona Regatta on November 3-5, 2023 will be presented in cooperation with NWSA. WOWAZ Regatta is a three-day women’s sailing event where experienced women instructors coach and encourage participants to sharpen their sailing and racing skills — while having a good time. Participants will enjoy this unique Sonoran Desert racing venue during the great fall/winter season. November is lovely. The Desert Outdoor Center, which is available lodging for participants, offers stunning views of Lake Pleasant’s Honeymoon and Jackass Coves. The modern bunkhouse includes an amphitheater for star gazing and a fire pit. Bring on the s’mores!

View of Honeymoon Cove from the Desert Outdoor Center at Lake Pleasant Regional Park

Friday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, September 10, Island Yacht Club will present the 31st Women’s Sailing Seminar. Created in 1992, it remains true to the mantra; “Taught by women, for women.” The instructors have many years of experience and love to give their time and passion to this amazing program. Sailing in the San Francisco Bay is no small feat. Join the sisterhood on the Alameda Estuary, in Northern California as they show you how it’s done! A limited number of scholarships are available.

Check our website for these and other women’s sailing events or opportunities.

Apply to Host

ADVENTURESAIL® DAY • 
AUGUST 12, 2023

Complete the online questionnaire regarding your intent to host on AdventureSail Day during 2023. We will help you partner with a local community organization to take underserved girls ages 9 to 14 sailing!

Thank you to our sponsors and supporters

Captain

BoatUS
Dig Down Media
Alexander-Ryan Marine Safety

Skipper
US Sailing

J/Boats

Narragansett Sailing School

Lin Pardey Storytelling for Sailors

Spinsheet

Sailing Convention for Women

Barton Marine US

Vida Rose Coaching Services
American Sailing Association

Tumbleweed Sailing

Sailing and Boating LLC

Crew
North U

Sailrite

NauticEd

Offshore Sailing School

Mustang Survival

Forespar

Sømand

Our work is supported by you!

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!

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