Mardi Gras is in full swing, and the good times are rolling here in New Orleans. It’s hard to believe we’re just over a month away from gathering in Long Beach, CA, for the 2026 NWSA/SCYA Women’s Sailing Conference. Regular registration ends February 18. After that, the cost increases to $575 for late registration through March 10. NWSA members receive a discount equal to one year of membership, so be sure you’re logged in as a member before registering. And don’t miss the Take the Helm special, save $50 each by inviting a novice sailor to join you.
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There are real perks to being an NWSA member. In the past month alone, members have had access to an Aqua Map class, a discount on BoatHowTo technical courses, and other member-exclusive discounts on services and products, along with access to our growing national network of women sailors.
Looking ahead to February events, She Sailor Sea Story returns on February 20 via Zoom and is open to the public. Our committees are also staying active. The Leadership Development Committee will meet again in February, the Women Sailing Instructors Committee continues its regular monthly meetings, and the AdventureSail Committee is gearing up for 2026. Members interested in contributing are encouraged to join!
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2026 Women's Sailing Conference |
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March 20–22, 2026 | Long Beach Yacht Club | Long Beach, California |
Join us in Long Beach for the 2026 NWSA/SCYA Women’s Sailing Conference! There is no better way to experience the water than with a friend. Introduce a novice or non-sailor to the sport by having her—or both of you—register for the Take the Helm track. You’ll each save $50 on registration while helping us grow our community of women sailors.
Take the Helm Track
This track is designed for adult women ready to start their sailing journey. In the classroom, you will master boat terminology, essential safety practices, and the mechanics of tacking and gybing. At the dock, we will move to hands-on-training: learning to raise and lower sails, and how trim them to reach your destination, and much more. Then head out on the water to put your newfound knowledge into practice. |
HURRY! Late registration begins February 19, 2026 and closes March 10, 2026. NWSA members still receive preferred pricing, so join now if you are not already a member and take advantage of this discount. |
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Wendy Corzine — (Race Committee track) Wendy is a Certified Regional Race Officer and Port Captain at LBYC. She has been involved in regatta management for 10 years, and has sailed as a competitor in a wide variety of races. |
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Dr. Debbi Juster — (First Aid) Dr. Juster is known for a heavy dose of humor as she talks on practical aspects of medicine at sea including prevention, treating common medical problems, and handling medical emergencies. |
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Fortune Abor — (Dinghy Driving) Fortune is a sailing instructor at the Orange Coast College Sailing Center, where she educates students on the fundamentals of sailing, safety, and seamanship. |
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Meredith Anderson —(Diesel) CPT Meredith is a marine engineer, USCG 100-ton Master, and owner of Madame Diesel, LLC, specializing in diesel and electrical repair and instruction across the West Coast. |
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Meet all of the awesome instructors and learn more about their backgrounds at our instructor bios page. |
The NWSA is truly grateful to the sponsors whose contributions are currently fueling the 2026 NWSA/SCYA Women’s Sailing Conference. Their investment ensures we can continue to empower women on and off the water. Please support our sponsors listed below.
If you or your organization would like to help us expand our impact, we are still welcoming new sponsors for this year’s event. Learn more here. |
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Mermaids are mythical, so is the call of the sea. This episode explores women who call others to sail like the siren's calls, not to danger, but to experience joy, awe and empowerment.
Alison Osinski and Kathleen Seero have taken different tracks towards the sea. Join the LIVE Zoom audience on February 20 to hear their authentic stories of how they share their love of the sport, the ocean and the joy sailing brings to other women. Register Here. The She Sailor Sea Story episodes are FREE and open to all. And stick around after the stories to socialize during our Happy 1/2 Hour. |
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Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship |
The Women’s Sailing Foundation is offering the Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship to girls ages 14–19 who are eager to advance their skills but require financial assistance. This award empowers young sailors to pursue transformative experiences, from tall ship voyages to elite training camps, helping them take the next big step in their maritime journey. There will be three award windows this year; the first application window deadline is April 30, 2026. Learn more
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Mariners Learning System
Scholarship Recipient Updates |
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Riverport Women’s Sailing Conference March 27-28, 2026 Kingston, NY
The 9th Annual Riverport Women’s Sailing Conference returns to the Hudson River Maritime Museum, featuring keynote speaker Nancy DeVries and a full day of expert-led workshops. This inclusive event offers a variety of hands-on technical sessions for all skill levels, with a special 20% registration discount available for aspiring youth sailors. |
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US Sailing International Safety at Sea Course
and Midwest Women's Sailing Conference
May 15-16, 2026 Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee will host two premier women’s sailing events this May, featuring a women-only US Sailing International Safety at Sea hands-on course on the 15th and the Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference on the 16th. Participants can expect expert-led skills training for all levels and and an inspiring keynote address by Pam Rice |
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Boston Harbor Ladies Challenge
July 12, 2026 Boston, MA
Born from a mission to get more women at the helm, the Boston Harbor Ladies Challenge has grown into the largest women’s regatta in Massachusetts Bay. Whether you are a seasoned sailor or looking to join your first crew, come make waves with us and lead the charge on Dorchester Bay! |
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From the She Sailor Sea Story archives
Tammara Airhart tells of a story of rescues made by Challenged Sailors San Diego |
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Leadership Development Committee continues its work supporting leadership growth and pathways for women in sailing. The next virtual committee meeting is scheduled for February 23, 2026 (option to attend either the 6PM ESTor 9PM EST sessions) and will focus on using NWSA's resources to connect and grow local WSA groups. Members interested in leadership programming and professional development initiatives are encouraged to join the committee and attend the meeting.
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The Women Sailing Instructors Committee is currently working on the development of instructional video content for NWSA. Virtual committee meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM Eastern. All instructors interested in contributing are welcome to participate. |
The AdventureSail Committee is actively planning programming and initiatives in support of NWSA’s AdventureSail mission. Additional updates and meeting details will be shared in an upcoming issue. |
From the classroom to the open water, the strength of the NWSA lies in our shared knowledge and the support we offer one another. Through expert instruction, youth and adult scholarships, and collaborative storytelling, your involvement is what keeps us moving forward. Join or renew today to stay connected with this incredible network of women and help us keep the horizon wide for every sailor.
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Thank you to our 2026 Conference Sponsors |
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FORESPAR Chiropractic Lab
Narragansett Sailing and Boating School |
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