The end of the year is right around the corner, and I hope it’s been a wonderful season on the water for each of you. As we wrap up the NWSA’s 35th anniversary year, I’m reminded of how much this organization has grown—and how much of that growth comes directly from our members’ generosity and involvement. If you’re making charitable contributions before the year closes, I encourage you to include the Women’s Sailing Foundation. Your support can be directed to AdventureSail, scholarship programs, or the general fund, and helps us continue the work we’re all so invested in. Donations are tax-deductible, and every gift truly makes a difference.
We had a fantastic She Sailor Sea Story on November 30. If you weren’t able to join us live, several of the videos are now available on our YouTube channel, and I hope you’ll take a moment to watch them. Read about our upcoming January episode below. |
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The Leadership Development Community held its inaugural virtual meeting on December 10. This members-only group brings together women who are in, or preparing for, leadership roles within sailing organizations. If that sounds like a good fit for you, you can join the community through the website and receive updates directly.
Back on the home front, Hot Chocolate took part in the annual Christmas Boat Parade here in New Orleans last weekend. It’s always one of my favorite events—a bright, festive night with beautifully decorated boats and plenty of good cheer. Participating again this year was a wonderful way to close out our busy 2025 season. |
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This milestone year has been a good reminder of how much we can accomplish when we work together. Thank you for being part of it, and for helping move women’s sailing forward. I'm excited for what's ahead! |
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Membership That Moves Women Forward |
NWSA membership isn’t just a list of perks, it’s a commitment to helping women grow, connect, and lead in every corner of the sailing world. |
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Members receive exclusive discounts on Mariners Learning System captain's courses and products, preferred pricing for the 2026 National Conference, and soon, savings on Nigel Calder’s technical classes. Access to national networking happens through our member directory. Archived and upcoming sessions — like an informational Zoom with Aqua Map — give sailors practical tools to build skills and confidence.
Each benefit supports a larger mission: creating a strong, visible, connected community of women who learn from one another and lift each other up. If you’re not yet a member, now’s the time to come aboard. And if you already are — thank you. This work is only possible because of you.
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2026 Conference Countdown |
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We’re just weeks away from opening registration for the 2026 NWSA/SCYA Women's Sailing Conference, and we are excited to share more information on what's taking shape for Long Beach. Planning is well underway, and additional details about programming, speakers, and on-the-water opportunities will be released soon on the conference webpage.
Whether you’re already planning to attend or simply want to support the event, there are many ways to be involved. Sharing conference updates with women in your sailing network helps broaden the reach of this gathering, and support through sponsorships, silent auction donations, or referrals plays a meaningful role in making the conference and other impactful NWSA initiatives possible. Each contribution helps ensure the conference remains accessible, relevant, and impactful for women sailors nationwide.
We’re also grateful for the generosity of Gail Hine, whose longstanding commitment to women’s sailing continues through the conference scholarship that bears her name. Details about the Gail Hine NWSA Conference Scholarship are included below, offering another way to help women join us in Long Beach. |
The Gail Hine NWSA Conference Scholarship offers one individual the opportunity to attend the 2026 NWSA Annual Conference, co-hosted by SCYA. This scholarship is open to women sailors who demonstrate financial need and a passion for broadening their sailing experience.
Gail Hine created and led 32 women’s sailing conventions in California, pioneering an education model built on women teaching women through on-the-water training, dockside instruction, and land-based workshops. The NWSA proudly continues this legacy as we celebrate our 25th national gathering.
The scholarship will cover Friday registration, the welcome reception, and the full Saturday and Sunday schedule of educational sessions. Recipients will be responsible for optional ticketed events, and any personal travel or lodging expenses.
Applications will open once conference registration is live and will close two days before the early registration deadline. Additional details will be shared as they become available.
After this scholarship was established, Gail Hine honored NWSA with a generous donation in 2025 to continue offering her convention format in our national conferences. We are dedicated as ever to bring this conference to women that may not normally be able to attend and offer a wide variety of education to all ages and skill levels.
More information about the Gail Hine Scholarship is available at womensailing.org. |
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2026 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award |
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As we close out NWSA’s 35th anniversary year, we’re once again inviting our community to help recognize the individuals whose steady commitment has expanded national opportunities for women in sailing. Since 1999, the BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award has highlighted the impact of people whose work has strengthened our sport in lasting ways — whether through instruction, coaching, program development, safety education, or building communities where women can thrive. A look back at past honorees tells a powerful story of progress.
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BROKEN GLASS Highlights Former Award Recipients |
Janet Baxter attended sailing school at Chicago Yacht Club, where she was the first female member at the age of 13. An active offshore racer, Janet has done more than 35 Chicago-Mackinac races. She sailed from the Azores to Bermuda. She is an active sailing judge and race officer in both Chicago and Florida.
Baxter was elected President of the United States Sailing Association from 2004–2006. She was a coordinator for US Sailing’s first seminars on sportsmanship and fleet building as well as a member of the US Olympic C’s Audit Committee from 2000-2004.
Her leadership was clearly evident when she was selected as the BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award (LIWSA) honoree in 2007. Watch her Broken Glass story here.
The She Sailor Sea Story, Broken Glass also offers a tribute to Patricia Seidenspinner who crossed the bar in 2014. She was the NWSA/BoatUS 2008 LIWSA recipient. Seidenspinner is remembered by Jerelyn Biehl, the 2024 LIWSA honoree, and Barbara Watson, both who knew and worked with Patricia as a Principal Race Officer, umpire and judge.
Pat Seidenspinner gained certification as a senior race officer in 1989. She was appointed chair of the Ocean Racing Committee in January 1992. With that came a seat on the executive committee. She also served as a principal race officer in August 1996 at the Olympic Games in Savannah, Ga. Without a doubt, Seidenspinner shattered the glass ceiling in race management at her club and beyond. See her remembrance story here.
Subscribe to NWSA’s YouTube channel to learn more about Janet, Patricia and other award winning leaders in women’s sailing and other sailing videos! |
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| Don't miss the next She Sailor Sea Story
Part II of Broken Glass
Watch LIVE on January 8, 2026.
Inspirational sailors Betsy Alison and Allison Bell will be sharing stories of their challenges and triumphs—experiences that reflect decades of breaking barriers in the sport.
Betsy Alison was in the first group of sailors elected into the United States' National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011. Eleven years earlier, in 2000, BoatUS and NWSA recognized her as the recipient of the Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award for her exceptional contributions.
Allison Bell etched her name in history as the first woman skipper to win the Transpacific Yacht Race in its 119 years when Restless crossed 2,225 miles of the Pacific to the finish line off Diamond Head on July 13, 2025. |
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Nominations for the 2026 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award are open through February 1, 2026.
If someone in your sailing world has helped broaden opportunities, advanced education, or created pathways for women to participate and succeed, we encourage you to nominate them. Your submission helps ensure that the work happening in local clubs, classrooms, boardrooms, and beyond will be recognized at the national level. |
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AdventureSail 2025:
A Season of Joy, Confidence, and New Horizons |
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The 2025 season has ended, but one thing is abundantly clear: AdventureSail continues to change lives—one girl, one sailing experience, one new spark of confidence at a time. This year, over 140 girls stepped aboard through AdventureSail programs across the country, discovering the freedom of the water, the thrill of trying something new, and the welcoming support of women sailors who believe in them. Those moments matter, and they’re possible because of you.
AdventureSail introduces girls ages 9–14 to sailing through a free, hands-on day on the water, led by women sailors who serve as mentors and role models. Each participant receives a warm welcome into a community that shows them they have a place in our sport.
Girls who participate are also eligible to apply for the Learn To Sail Scholarship, which helps cover the cost of continued sailing lessons or youth sailing programs—turning a single day on the water into a pathway for future growth.
We’re already planning for next year, and we’re calling on yacht clubs, sailing associations, and community programs across the country to join us. If your organization is passionate about empowering young girls, building community, and growing the future of our sport, AdventureSail is a meaningful and impactful way to make that happen. Whether your club has a large youth program or just a handful of volunteers ready to help, NWSA provides guidance, materials, and support to make your event a success.
Let’s get even more girls on the water in 2026. If you’re interested in hosting, reach out to us—we’d love to help you get started. Visit our website to learn how your organization can participate.
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Spotlight Your Event with NWSA |
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2025 was packed full with women-led sailing events, and it’s been inspiring to see how many clubs, associations, and schools are creating opportunities for women to sail, learn, and connect. As we look toward 2026, we want to amplify more of the great work happening in local communities.
If your organization is planning a women’s sailing event—whether it’s a regatta, seminar, social sail, or something entirely unique—send the details to secretary@womensailing.org.
We’ll add it to the NWSA event calendar so women around the country can find it, share it, and join in. |
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Chestnuts may be roasting this season, but your galley shouldn't be. In this video, Captain Debbie Huntsman reviews the proper use of a fire blanket, an easy and effective way to keep your galley safe when used properly. Practice makes perfect! |
Reflecting on the past 35 years, we celebrate the incredible impact of the National Women’s Sailing Association: women learning to sail, gaining confidence, and building lifelong connections through programs like AdventureSail and scholarships for sailors of all levels. From creating educational opportunities to supporting the individuals and organizations that bring women together, the NWSA is building a stronger, more connected sailing community.
Your support has helped women find their place on the water. We invite you to continue this journey with us. Your gift ensures that more women can step aboard, learn to sail, and discover the empowerment that comes from taking the helm. Every contribution makes a difference in the lives of women sailors. |
Thank you for standing with women in sailing and helping us create more opportunities in 2026. Together, we’re opening doors and keeping the spirit of sailing alive for generations to come. |
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