I hope your sailing calendar is full this season — and if it isn’t, be sure to check our events calendar for upcoming women’s sailing opportunities. We’re always looking to feature more women-focused events on our main page, so please let me know if you have something on the horizon.
Your board has also been diligently working to complete our technology upgrades. The website now includes more information and resources, including historical photos and documents. If you have content to share or ideas for improvement, we’d love to hear from you.
Most of all, I want to encourage everyone to keep sailing and to invite someone new along to try it out. What better way to honor and celebrate the NWSA's 35th anniversary year than to welcome more women into the community! Recently, our local women’s sailing association hosted a Sailor Social, and we really enjoyed meeting each other and sharing our experiences. It was a wonderful reminder of the power of community on and off the water. As always, Let’s Go Sailing! Debby |
Welcoming New Leadership to NWSA |
Last month we gave a quick preview of the newest additions to our Board of Directors. This month, we’re excited to introduce them more fully. Please join us in welcoming Kendall Borchardt in St. Petersburg, FL, Kathleen Seero in Boston, MA, and Kimberly Walther in St. Augustine, FL to the NWSA leadership team.
Each of these accomplished sailors brings unique experience and perspective to the board, and together they strengthen our ability to advance NWSA’s mission of supporting women on the water. Meet the women lending their experience and energy to the team: |
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| Kendall Borchardt, Treasurer
Kendall began sailing on Lake Lanier in Georgia with her first boat, a Catalina 27, and quickly became immersed in the sailing community through her local club, where she also served as treasurer. Over the years she and her family have owned several boats, cruising the Caribbean, Tahiti, and beyond. In 2023, Kendall and her family settled in St. Petersburg, FL aboard their Beneteau 45 Oceanis, Elysium, which translates to “a state or place of ultimate happiness." A cruiser at heart, Kendall is also an active member of Women Who Sail Tampa Bay. When she’s not on the water, she enjoys traveling, hiking, coaching Special Olympics sports for her son, and her professional work in wealth management.
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Captain Kathleen Seero
Kathleen’s sailing journey began on Manhasset Bay at the age of eight and grew through a lifetime of racing and cruising experiences. A longtime New England sailor, she has raced one-designs and PHRF boats, rebuilt and raced her own Thunderbird 26, and today skippers Dirty Bird, the only woman-owned boat in its fleet. Dedicated to passing on her skills, Kathleen has been deeply involved with community sailing programs and in 2023 founded the Boston Harbor Ladies Challenge, now the city’s largest all-women’s regatta. She holds a 25-ton Merchant Marine License and US Sailing/ASA instructor certifications, and splits her time between Boston and winter cruising aboard her Passport 40, LouLou.
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| Captain Kim Walther
Kim has been teaching sailing for more than 30 years, training thousands of students from small keelboats to large catamarans as an American Sailing instructor at St. Augustine Sailing. She holds a USCG 100-ton master’s license with sailing and towing endorsements and has logged over 30,000 instructional hours, earning ASA Instructor of the Year recognition. A passionate racer, cruiser, and educator, Kim also teaches at the WoodenBoat School in Maine, runs international sailing webinars, and shares her love of the sport through her blog, Deep Water Happy. When she’s not on the water, she can be found diving, cycling, or exploring the outdoors.
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Want to learn more about all of the awesome women steering the ship?
Head to our website to get to know your 2025-2026 NWSA leadership. |
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NWSA Committees: Members Make It Happen |
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We have an immediate need for social-savvy members to join our Social Media Team and strengthen our online community!
If you have the skills and enthusiasm to help us reach more women sailors by keeping our channels active and inspiring, please connect with Kris Self. |
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As part of our new membership benefits, NWSA is rolling out opportunities for members to get more involved through committee work. We’re always looking for passionate, hands-on women who want to give back to the community and help shape the future of women’s sailing. This month, we’re excited to introduce one of our newest groups: the Women Sailing Instructors Committee.
Co-chaired by Kim Walther and Menette Burns, this committee is dedicated to supporting women who teach sailing, whether as certified instructors or as owners of sailing schools. Its goals are ambitious and inspiring: connecting women through networking and mentoring, developing a “Best Practices” program, and creating a space to share resources on everything from insurance and boat purchases to grants and funding opportunities. The committee also hopes to showcase instructional content created by its members, including the chance to feature sailing videos in future issues of Take the Helm. By joining, members can contribute to building a strong network of instructors who share skills and techniques, as well as the encouragement and support that keep women at the forefront of sailing education.
The committee's first Zoom meeting will take place on Thursday, September 25, at 7 PM EST to introduce members, outline goals, and kick off networking opportunities. You can sign up here, or reach out to Kim Walther for more information.
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Another new committee we’re excited to introduce is the Leadership Development Committee. This group is dedicated to supporting women who are leading sailing organizations of all sizes. The committee’s work will focus on creating opportunities for networking and mentoring, both virtually and in person, while also building practical tools like ready-to-use programs and leadership tracks that can be adapted at the local level. By sharing resources from the national network and identifying ways to strengthen connections between organizations, the committee hopes to empower more women to step into leadership roles with confidence and support.
Contact Debbie Huntsman to learn more to join the crew. |
Celebrating Leadership in Women's Sailing |
On October 15th, we will begin accepting nominations for the 2026 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award. This annual honor recognizes an individual whose vision and dedication have advanced opportunities for women in sailing through inspiration, education, and meaningful support. Since its founding in 1999, the award has celebrated those who have enriched the national sailing community and empowered women of all ages to embrace the sport. |
We encourage members to begin thinking about mentors, leaders, or role models in their sailing circles whose impact deserves to be recognized. Help us spotlight the individuals who continue to shape the future of women in sailing by submitting your nomination soon. |
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Partner News & Highlights
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Aqua Map just launched its new Route Planner feature, combining automatic and manual planning modes for flexible and accurate navigation. It’s designed to make route building easier, safer, and more customizable for sailors at every level.
This addition builds on Aqua Map’s growing suite of mobile tools, from affordable charts to Direct Chat with push notifications that let sailors connect, share advice, and even plan meetups on the water. |
| Did you know NWSA members receive 10% off all Mariners Learning System (MLS) Captain’s License courses? MLS offers Coast Guard–approved Captain’s License and other online training that you can complete at your own pace, anywhere, and on any device.
Better yet, if MLS is offering another promotion, members can still stack that savings with the NWSA discount. To get the discount and support NWSA, be sure to use the special link on the Members-Only page. |
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With the fall sailing season beginning, our sails are still full and the schedule is, too! Women sailors across the country are gathering as the heat subsides for races, seminars, and community events. Take a look at what’s ahead:
Women Who Sail Tampa Bay – Getting Ready to Go Cruising
Thursday, September 18, 2025
This women-only gathering is perfect for anyone looking to take their cruising to the next level. Attendees will discuss upcoming adventures, including a trip to the Dry Tortugas in December, and connect with others interested in crewing opportunities.
Women’s Sailing Seminar – Northern California
September 26-28, 2025
The Women’s Sailing Seminar™ is Northern California’s most popular annual women’s sailing event, taught by women, for women. Entirely volunteer-run, the seminar offers high-quality classes and training designed to help sailors of all levels build skills and confidence on the water.
Pink Ribbon Regatta – Lake Pontchartrain, LA
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Now in its 21st year, the Pink Ribbon Regatta is hosted by the Lake Pontchartrain Women’s Sailing Association to benefit the Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program. This year, all area yacht clubs and the Corinthian Sailing Association are joining forces for the first time to put on this event and “Paint The Lake Pink!” It will be a day of racing and celebration that makes a lasting impact for women’s health across Louisiana. |
From socials to seminars to regattas, if it brings women together on the water, it belongs on our calendar. Send us details about any women’s sailing events in your area so more members can connect, learn, and race together |
September Safety: Skill Video of the Month |
In this video, Captain Debbie Huntsman breaks down the role of safe water buoys, the red-and-white markers that lead sailors safely to port. |
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Fair Winds Ahead!
As you can see, our community is always growing — with new board members, new committees, new partners, and new ways to connect. Thank you for being part of the energy that keeps women at the helm and sailing forward together. |
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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 • communications@womensailing.org
National Women's Sailing Association, PO Box 588, Marblehead, MA 01945, United States |
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