And that’s a wrap on a successful 2025 NWSA Conference! We had a wonderful time gaining knowledge, learning new skills and having fun. Thank you to all who attended, volunteered and/or sponsored this year’s event. Hope to see you at the next one! Check out photos below.
Members will have scholarship opportunities with the Mariner's Learning System to acquire a captain's license. Watch your inbox for details about this great membership benefit.
If you have an affiliation with a sailing center, yacht club or girl scout troop, etc. we encourage you to host an AdventureSail event. The AdventureSail team is happy to help you organize your group, and offer refunds to help offset the costs of your event. AdventureSail events introduce girls to sailing who would not otherwise have that opportunity. The girls who complete the day are then eligible to apply for up to $500 in scholarship funding for a sailing camp experience. Get more information and to get started visit womensailing.org. Pull down the AdventureSail and Scholarships and Awards tab.
If you would like to be more involved in our organization, please let me know! Many hands make light work. If you have news of a women’s focused sailing event – regatta, cruise, workshop, etc., please share with us so we can help promote the event. We also would like reports from such events to include in our newsletter and/or on our website. Email for details.
In the meantime, let’s go sailing! Debby |
Ahoy sailing centers, host a 2025 AdventureSail! |
With successful fundraising effort for girl's sailing at the conference in our wake, it’s time to look ahead to one of our most impactful programs — AdventureSail. This nationwide, single-day event takes place each year (whenever you choose) to introduce young girls to the world of sailing, often for the very first time. Made possible by the support of NWSA members and friends partnering with sailing centers around the country, AdventureSail helps young participants discover what’s possible when they step aboard.
NWSA supports all host sites with a comprehensive How to Host guide, event checklist, signage, and ready-to-use social media templates to make organizing easy and impactful. Best of all, AdventureSail is completely free for participants, thanks to the generosity of our donors, members, and tireless volunteers — and hosts can receive reimbursement for qualifying expenses. Ready to inspire the next generation? Step up, chart your course, and register today to help spread the joy of sailing!
Participants in AdventureSail are also eligible to apply for the Learn to Sail Youth Scholarship, which can be used toward any recognized sailing program. Applications are accepted year-round and give girls the chance to continue growing their skills and confidence beyond their first sail.
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AdventureSail participants can apply for
a Learn to Sail Youth Scholarship |
Applications are being accepted! The Learn to Sail Youth Scholarship provides financial assistance to girls who have participated in an AdventureSail event continue their sailing journey through summer camp. It's a great opportunity to sharpen your skills and grow as a sailor, with the support of the National Women’s Sailing Association! -
Up to $500 can be applied to any recognized sailing program
- Participants must apply for the scholarship within one year of their participation
- include a personal essay and letter of recommendation
Apply for the Learn to Sail Youth Scholarship |
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This immersive, three-day sailing conference — for women, by women — wouldn’t be possible without the vision of pioneers like Gail Hine, Doris Colgate, and the many current and former NWSA board members who continue to invest their time, energy, and heart into creating a more welcoming, inclusive sailing community for all women.
A heartfelt thank you to the incredible instructors who generously volunteer their time and knowledge, sharing not only what they’ve mastered but also what they’re still discovering. When we learn from one another, we all grow.
And finally, to our members: thank you for showing up, signing up, and supporting women’s sailing year after year. To the beginners who took their first sail with us this weekend: WELCOME! We’re so glad you’re here, and we can’t wait to sail alongside you! |
| Conference offered three days of building knowledge, skills and having FUN! |
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Top — Island Packet tour gave us a glimpse of what goes into design and constrution of a quaility yacht. Top right: Women practice dinghy and big boat skills.
Lower — left to right: Damage Control sailboat offered a realistic and wet hands-on learning to slow or stop leaks that could sink a sailboat. NWSA president Debby Grimm celebrates with shipmates! Dockside skills practice. |
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Celebrating Kathy Sinnett the 2025 BoatUS/NWSA
Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award Honoree |
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At this year’s National Women’s Sailing Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida, Kathy Sinnett of Daytona Beach was named the 2025 recipient of the BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award. This award celebrates a woman whose work has inspired, educated, and empowered other women through sailing, and Kathy’s story exemplifies that mission.
Kathy’s sailing journey began racing Snipes with her father and continued at the University of Wisconsin. From the frozen waters of Alaska to the warm breezes of Florida, she has spent decades not just sailing, but creating opportunity and community for other women to do the same. As a US Coast Guard spouse, she turned each move into a new chance to build connections, mentor others, and expand women’s sailing programs from coast to coast.
She’s the founder of two vibrant women’s groups — Ideal Women at Stonington Harbor Yacht Club in Connecticut and Windward Women at Halifax Sailing Association in Florida — and has strengthened partnerships with groups like the Sailing Sisters of St. Augustine and the Florida Women’s Sailing Association.
A past recipient of both the Tucker and Sandy Bragdon Trophy and the George Shuck Award, Kathy continues to lead by example. “We grow competence and confidence on the water,” she says, “and we strengthen the connections between us.” NWSA President Debby Grimm adds, “Her ‘can-do’ attitude makes others ask how they can become involved.” We couldn’t be prouder to celebrate Kathy’s remarkable legacy of leadership. |
Bravo Zulu to Women Who Sail Tampa Bay |
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NWSA is deeply grateful to Women Who Sail Tampa Bay (WWSTB)for unwavering dedication and hard work in making the conference a resounding success. Our sincere appreciation goes to Captain Missy Jaeger, Molly Miller, Kendall Borchardt, Lita Cuen, Jillian Hollady, and Terri McGough for exceptional contributions in ensuring the smooth operation of docks, dorms, silent auction and meeting space. WWSTB members went above and beyond to teach classes, manage dorms, assist in staging boats. Your extraordinary dedication and hard work in contributing to the organization of the June conference were instrumental in its success. |
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The energy, inspiration, and sense of community WWSTB displayed were simply remarkable! Every activity reflected professionalism and heartfelt enthusiasm, leaving a lasting, positive impact. It was truly a privilege to work with such an inspiring group. |
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Meet Brenna Wilson:
First recipient of the Gail Hine Scholarship |
In 2024, NWSA established the Gail Hine NWSA Conference Scholarship to be offered to a woman needing financial assistance to attend an NWSA conference. NWSA honors Gail Hine, the founder of women’s sailing conventions format of classroom and on-water teaching that we use today.
When Brenna Wilson first stepped into the world of sailing just two years ago, it was a shared dream with her husband, an idea that took root along the Tennessee River and has since grown into a full-fledged passion. Today, the journey from dream to reality is well underway, and Brenna is driven by the desire to keep learning and someday give back the same kind of support she’s received. |
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As the first recipient of the Gail Hine NWSA Conference Scholarship, Brenna brought her curiosity and commitment to this year’s National Women’s Sailing Conference, choosing hands-on classes like Mayhem & Mishaps, Stop That Leak, and Anchoring on the Water. “Each session promised and delivered hands-on knowledge that makes a difference.”
With deep appreciation for Gail Hine — the visionary sailor whose legacy and generosity helped set this scholarship in motion — Brenna shared the questions she’d most want to ask Gail:
“Looking back over all these years of helping thousands of women get on the water and learn from each other, what’s one of the biggest ‘aha!’ moments or transformations you’ve seen? What stands out when you think about their growth in confidence or stepping into leadership roles?”
Gail Hine set out to make sailing more accessible for women. Brenna’s story is a powerful example of what happens when women are welcomed into sailing with support and opportunity. We’re proud to support Brenna through the scholarship and can’t wait to see where her journey leads her next. |
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Founder of Women’s Sailing Conventions supports National Women’s Sailing Association to continue mission |
WSF and NWSA President Debby Grimm is proud to announce Gail Hine has awarded the association $5000 to continue the mission of introducing women to sailing and continuing education through the NWSA National Conferences.
Through her donation, Gail Hine seeks to keep the women-led teaching tradition growing so more women are sharing sailing and maritime skills to all audiences. She emphasizes, “NWSA has proven record of providing an open access to a balanced curriculum that encourages participants to pass on their skills.”
Thank you to Gail Hine, Emeritus Member of NWSA, for her continuing support even after serving the association for more than 20 years. Click here for press release. |
Watch the NWSA She Sailor Sea Story |
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Recorded on Friday, May 23rd the She Sailor Sea Story episode Navigate was special!
Sponsored by Pontchartrain Yacht Club, the Zoom event featured wooden boat affectionato Anne Bryant, who retold a navigation story that included a brush with hurricane Sandy, a building-sized visual siren, Chaka Kahn, beckoning Anne's wooden boat to a safe harbor. Two more stories from the Navigate episode told by Jeanne Goussev from Team Sail Like a Girl and Wolf, and Guenevere Rae are posted.
Subscribe to NWSA's YouTube chanel and recieve instant notice as new content is added. |
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Steer the course for women sailors– volunteer to join the Board! |
| As members of the National Women’s Sailing Association, each sailor brings a unique perspective, passion, and skills that can help chart our organization’s course for the future.
Taking on a volunteer or board position is a great way to deepen your connection with sister sailors, shape programs that inspire the next generation of women on the water, and ensure our community thrives for years to come.
By stepping up as a board member, you’ll not only lend your voice to important decisions but also gain leadership experience, forge lasting friendships, and leave a lasting legacy for all who share our love of sailing. Join us in steering NWSA toward new horizons — your expertise and enthusiasm are exactly what we need! |
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NWSA / WSF board of directors |
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Debby Grimm — president Claire Wyngaard — vice president Erica Trejo — secretary Ame Flynn — treasurer |
| Linda Newland Debbie Huntsman Marie Rogers |
| Barbara Morris Jodi Weinbecker Kris Self |
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From local meetups to international adventures, your NWSA event calendar is a go-to resource for women’s sailing opportunities. |
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The intention of the Ladies' Challenge is for all racing decisions nd boat handling be performed by women. All participants must be women, with an exception of one male owner/representative. He may not take the helm except in case of an emergency. |
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A two day, in-person US Sailing International Safety at Sea August 16-17 is on the horizon at California Yacht Club in beautiful Marina Del Rey, CA. Open to racers, cruisers, and powerboaters alike, this hands-on course meets World Sailing certification standards and is packed with essential training
Wondering why a sailor should take a Safety at Sea course? Listen to the rescue story, told fresh by the skipper shortly after the Sinking of Alliance a testament to the value of the Safety at Sea program. . It's a compelling lesson on preparation! |
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Thank you to our 2025 conference sponsors |
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© 2025 National Women’s Sailing Association and the Women's Sailing Foundation. All rights reserved.
AdventureSail, Take the Helm, Making Changes Come About are registered trademarks. womensailing.org • leadership@womensailing.org
National Women's Sailing Association, PO Box 588, Marblehead, MA 01945, United States |
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