Happy New Year! As you begin planning your 2026 calendars, be sure to mark the dates for our NWSA/SCYA Women’s Sailing Conference, March 20–22 in Long Beach, CA. Early registration ends January 15. Attendance is capped, and several classes have very limited space. NWSA members receive a discount equal to a one-year membership, so be sure to join and log in as a member before registering. We are still seeking conference sponsors, including donations of silent auction items for our AdventureSail fundraiser. Please consider contributing if you can!
The Gail Hine NWSA Conference Scholarship and the SCYA Conference Scholarship are available for women who need financial assistance to attend the conference. Applications close on January 12.
This is the final month to submit nominations for the BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award. This prestigious award recognizes an individual with a long record of national-level impact in support of NWSA’s mission to enrich the lives of women of all ages through education and access to the sport of sailing.
This weekend, I’ll be attending the Gulf Coast Yachting Association (GYA) winter meeting, which includes a dedicated session on women’s sailing. I’ll be promoting women’s sailing groups and associations as a great way to build connections and create more opportunities to get on the water. The NWSA maintains a list of women’s sailing groups on our website. Check it out to see if there’s one local to you. |
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| 2026 BoatUS/NWSA
Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award |
The BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award continues to reflect the many ways progress happens in our sport—often quietly, consistently, and far from the spotlight. Each nomination helps highlight work that might otherwise go unrecognized, connecting local impact to a national story of growth in women’s sailing. |
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As we move into a new year, we encourage you to think about the people who have shaped access, opportunity, and participation in your own sailing community. If someone’s efforts have opened doors, built programs, or created space for women to step forward, their story belongs in this conversation.
Nominations for the 2026 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award remain open through February 1, 2026. Submitting a nomination is a way to ensure that all of the work happening to advance women in sailing is seen, valued, and shared across the broader sailing community.
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2026 Women's Sailing Conference |
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March 20–22, 2026 | Long Beach Yacht Club | Long Beach, California |
Registration is now open for the 2026 NWSA/SCYA Women’s Sailing Conference, hosted at the historic Long Beach Yacht Club in Southern California. With two full days of diverse classes and hands-on workshops taught by expert volunteer women instructors, you can shape your conference experience around your interests and goals.
New this year, NWSA and SCYA are offering curated learning tracks for sailors who want a more structured experience, while also maintaining the flexibility to mix and match traditional individual workshops. Programming is designed to meet sailors where they are, whether you are strengthening fundamentals or advancing technical and leadership skills.
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Plus, there is so much more to the conference than just classes! The full conference experience includes social and networking opportunities, including:
✅A welcome reception hosted by the Long Beach Women’s Sailing Association
✅Saturday evening BBQ social at Seal Beach Yacht Club (ticketed)
✅A fundraising luncheon supporting the NWSA AdventureSail program and Mustang Survival fashion show
✅Sunday evening awards and closing ceremony at Long Beach Yacht Club
✅Plenty of opportunities to meet and connect with women sailors from across North America!
Whether you’re just getting started or refining advanced skills, this event offers educational and networking opportunities that help you grow as a individual sailor and as part of the larger sailing community.
Early registration is available through January 15, 2026 at a discounted rate, with regular and late registration continuing through March 13, 2026. Plus NWSA members receive preferred pricing at all registration levels. If you’re not yet a member, now is a great time to join and take advantage of everything NWSA membership offers.
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Support the Conference and AdventureSail |
The 2026 NWSA/SCYA Women’s Sailing Conference is made possible by the support of sponsors and donors who believe in expanding access to sailing education for women. We invite individuals and companies to support the conference by becoming a sponsor or contributing an item or experience to our AdventureSail fundraiser.
Donations for the conference Silent Auction and Raffle are now being accepted, with proceeds benefiting the NWSA AdventureSail program. Sought-after items include sailing gear, apparel, nautical accessories, artwork, gift certificates, travel or charter experiences, and other items that appeal to women sailors.
Organizations and individuals interested in supporting women’s sailing through conference sponsorship are invited to connect with us. Learn more here.
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2026 Gail Hine NWSA and SCYA Scholarship Application Window Open |
Now that registration is open for the 2026 NWSA/SCYA Women’s Sailing Conference, we’re excited to officially begin the application process for the Gail Hine NWSA Conference Scholarship and the SCYA Conference Scholarship. These scholarships provide each recipient with the opportunity to attend the conference which includes meals and classes on Sat/Sun. They are intended for those who need financial assistance to participate. Please help us spread the word.
The application window is open now thru January 12, 2026. Full details, including eligibility requirements and application instructions, are available on the NWSA website. |
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January She Sailor Sea Story |
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The Broken Glass series continues to spotlight women who have pushed boundaries and reshaped the landscape of sailing leadership. Part I is now available to watch on NWSA’s YouTube channel, and features stories honoring former BoatUS/NWSA LIWSA recipients Janet Baxter and Patricia Seidenspinner, highlighting decades of impact in race management, governance, and leadership at the highest levels of the sport. Part II, which aired live on January 8, continues the conversation with TransPac winner Allison Bell and former BoatUS/NWSA LIWSA honoree Betsy Alison, connecting historic leadership with contemporary achievement. A recording of Part II will be available soon for those who missed the live event.
Together, the Broken Glass series reflects the many paths women have taken to move sailing forward, and the legacy that continues to shape the sport today. |
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Nigel Calder BoatHowTo Classes
Jan 19–31, 2026
Sharpen your technical knowledge with expert-led courses from Nigel Calder and Jan Athenstadt. Topics include marine electrical systems, advanced electronics, power generation and storage, and emerging technical trends.
For a limited time, NWSA members will receive a 20% discount.
Watch for member email with registration details.
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St. Thomas Women’s Regatta Camp
Jan 26–30, 2026 St. Thomas, USVI
An immersive regatta camp combining expert coaching, skill-building, and shared experiences on and off the water. Sail, learn, and connect with women from across the sailing community in a supportive tropical setting designed to build confidence and camaraderie.
Click for more information on the camp
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Aqua Map Navigation Workshop
Feb 8, 2026 | 7pm EST
Join this free Zoom, exclusively for NWSA Members, and learn to use Aqua Map more effectively, from boat settings and units of measure, to identifying aids to navigation, displaying winds and currents, and even plotting routes. A limited number of free licenses will be available for class use.
Register via NWSA
Member Portal. |
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Got a women's sailing event this year? Send the details of your event to secretary@womensailing.org and we’ll add it to the NWSA event calendar |
NWSA membership is designed to support women sailors at every stage, offering practical value alongside meaningful opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. As a member, you have access to: -
Scholarship opportunities that help offset the cost of education and participation
- Preferred pricing on the NWSA/SCYA Women’s Sailing Conference
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Exclusive discounts on education and experiences, including Mariners Learning System products and courses, Nigel Calder’s BoatHowTo technical classes, and Belize Sailing Vacations
- Member-only learning opportunities, such as complimentary educational Zoom sessions with partners like Aqua Map
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Connection to a national network of women sailors through the member directory, committees, and shared programs
- Support for programs that expand access to sailing, including AdventureSail and leadership development initiatives
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Everything we share in this issue is made stronger through membership. Join NWSA or renew your membership to stay connected, save on programs and events, and support the work that expands opportunities for women in sailing. |
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New 2026 NWSA Member Benefit |
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Set sail with Belize Sailing Vacations (BSV)—a proud Crew 2026 Conference Sponsor—and enjoy an exclusive NWSA member perk!
NWSA members receive 10% off cabin charters and full-vessel charters, perfect for joining a fun, like-minded group or creating your own unforgettable sailing getaway in Belize. Looking to build skills and confidence on the water? NWSA members also receive 10% off ASA sailing certifications through the Belize ASA Sailing School, with multiple courses and private instruction available.
Adventure, learning, and connection await. Learn more at
https://belizesailingvacations.com |
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Thank you to our 2026 Conference Sponsors |
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