The NWSA/SCYA Sailing Conference is about to kick-off. I look forward to reporting about all the fun, friendships and skills learned in our April newsletter.
March 8th was International Women’s Day. I spent the day in Fairfield, CT, where I was invited to the Black Rock Yacht Club's Ladies at the Helm centennial event. It was a day focused on women leaders in sailing including several “first” female commodores. It was not only a great experience for me, but a privilege to represent NWSA and to learn from others who are working to promote sailing and women in sailing.
Back home, our racing season in New Orleans was set to kick off on February 28th. Unfortunately, we were met with heavy fog and zero wind. After drifting near the committee boat for an hour, the crew had a few differing opinions on which way pointed back to the marina. It’s a solid reminder of how quickly you can lose your bearings in the soup—and why a navigation tools like a reliable compass are essential, even on familiar water.
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2026 NWSA/SCYA Women's Sailing Conference |
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The 2026 conference is days away, and the energy is building! In a powerhouse partnership with the Southern California Yachting Association (SCYA), we are thrilled to bring this year’s event to the historic Long Beach Yacht Club. This gathering carries forward the incredible spirit and legacy of the Sailing Convention for Women, pioneered by Gail Hine, and we are deeply honored to have Gail’s continued support. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Gail for her generous donation, which is helping us welcome even more sailors through her namesake conference scholarship. We also want to extend our sincere gratitude to all of our sponsors; your commitment is what makes this transformative weekend of education and camaraderie possible.
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Keep an eye out for our April 2026 issue of Take the Helm for a full look at all the action, inspiration, and fun from the conference! |
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American Sailing partners with NWSA/SCYA to celebrate Women’s History Month |
American Sailing is proud to continue its longstanding partnership with the NWSA/SCYA Women’s Sailing Conference as the 2026 Admiral Sponsor, celebrating Women’s History Month by expanding visibility and access in sailing. |
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Representing American Sailing at the conference is Nichole Ortiz, Head of Field Operations, who leads Global Affiliate Development supporting 400+ affiliate schools worldwide. A USCG Captain and ASA Instructor, she’s focused on expanding access to great instruction and making sailing more approachable—through cruising, racing, and confidence-building on the water.
As part of this year’s Women’s History Month celebration, American Sailing and North U are contributing a giveaway for the 2027 North U Women’s Performance Race Week—a week-long coached racing experience where each boat trains with championship sailors (including Olympic-level racers), culminating in a regatta and community-building events on and off the water.
To help open the door earlier, American Sailing is also supporting the AdventureSail Fundraiser, which makes sailing more accessible to girls and young women ages 9–14 through scholarships and programming.
If you’re unable to attend but would still like to connect, follow Nichole on Instagram @sf.sailor, where she’ll be spotlighting inspiring women sailors and sharing updates from the conference.
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“Anyone can sail—if they have a good teacher." - Nichole Ortiz |
BoatUS Magazine Wins Big at BWI Awards |
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BoatUS Magazine staff Kelsey Bonham Bailey, Rich Armstrong, and Mike Longman at BWI Awards Presentation |
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Boating Writers International (BWI), the professional association for writers, editors, publishers, bloggers, photographers and videographers in the recreational boating and fishing industries, presented 12 awards to BoatUS Magazine staff and contributors at the group’s annual meeting during the 2026 Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show.
In boating issues, news, and analysis, contributor Michael Vatalaro scooped up second place with his piece “How Much Is My Boat Worth?” Associate editor Kelsey Bonham Bailey received a merit award for her story on “What Does Made In America Mean?” as did senior editor Rich Armstrong for his story “Proposed Budget Would Impact Fundamental NOAA Services for Boaters” in the same category. These articles are available to read online at BoatUS Magazine’s site.
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To read more award-winning articles by our BoatUS Magazine writers and to subscribe to BoatUS Magazine, the official publication of the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), visit BoatUS.com/Membership to become a BoatUS member. BoatUS Magazine serves as the award-winning source for recreational boating skills, DIY maintenance, safety, news, lifestyle and personality profiles, and insight from top experts.
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Discover Your Next Marine Navigation App |
Whether you're cruising coastal waters, navigating the ICW, or venturing offshore, Aqua Map is the marine navigation app trusted by sailors and boaters worldwide. With a clean, intuitive interface and detailed nautical charts covering destinations from the Bahamas, USA and Canada, Aqua Map gives you the confidence to explore farther.
Featuring a powerful Route Planner with automatic hazard detection, real-time anchor alarms, USACE survey integration, and regularly updated charts, it's everything you need on the water just in one app. Compatible with both iOS and Android, Aqua Map is designed for clarity when it matters most.
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| Join thousands of boaters who say they'd never navigate without it. Try Aqua Map free for 14 days. |
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Regional Spotlight: Ladies at the Helm |
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Black Rock Yacht Club recently hosted the Ladies at the Helm event, drawing 103 attendees and 22 distinguished guests, including NWSA President Debby Grimm. The program featured a high-profile panel including Dawn Riley (Oakcliff Sailing), Clare Harrington (past Commodore, NYYC), Cynthia Parthemos (US Sailing Race Officer), Pam Ireland (past Commodore, BRYC), and nonprofit CEO Joyce Oberdorf.
The discussion focused on how real-life professional leadership skills translate to the sailing community and club environment. A recurring theme was the importance of stepping up and taking leadership roles when the opportunity arises. The panelists emphasized that leaders are not born fully formed but grow into their positions through experience and a willingness to say "yes" to the next challenge. |
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SeaGals Sailing Program May 31, 2026 August 2, 2026 August 30, 2026 Long Beach, CA The Long Beach Sailing Foundation’s Sea Gals program offers women-led coaching aboard their Catalina 37 fleet for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced racers. Each session combines classroom instruction with hands-on boat handling and culminates in a dockside debrief to connect the local sailing community. |
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Women Sailing and Boating Conference
April 25, 2026 Barrington, RI
The Narragansett Sailing School is hosting a one-day Women’s Sailing Conference at Cove Haven Marina in Rhode Island. Limited to 30 participants, the event offers a series of rotating small-group workshops covering practical skills like hands-on docking, diesel maintenance, and coastal navigation. |
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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 had different tracks as they each moved toward the sea. On February 20 they both told their authentic stories of how they share their love of the sport, the ocean and the joy sailing brings to other women. |
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Kathleen Seero always has been a water enthusiast, nearly a mermaid. As a young girl in New England, she sailed solo on her Sunfish. When she was in middle school her family took to the high seas. After months on the boat with her parents and pets she was ready to call it quits on sailing, but the sirens called her back.
Seero's work at Courageous Sailing Center in Boston was bringing people together to sail. She dreamed of bringing lots of women into sailing, and she made that dream a reality with the Boston Harbor Ladies Challenge—now the largest women’s sailing event in Boston Harbor. Kathy shares the story of how a spark of inspiration, a fearless leap, and a love for the sea came together to create something truly extraordinary. |
Alison Osinski, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, offers keel boat sailing lessons, boat handling skills, safety drills, navigation, and rules of the road instruction. She also provides boat deliveries, day sailing trips, and Pacific Ocean cruises off Southern California and the Channel Islands.
Osinski is the principal-owner of Aquatic Consulting Services in Avalon, California, specializing in aquatic risk management, facility design, management, and operation. Her consulting services include site inspections, pool design and renovation, staff screening, lifeguard audits, expert testimony, accident investigation, equipment specification and testing, operator training, and water quality analysis. |
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NWSA is introducing new series of videos featuring women sailing instructors. These will begin to be added as a benefit of NWSA membership. The first is by Angela Margolit.
Angela Margolit loves sailing, from exploring the waters around Savannah to participating in regattas and bareboat charters worldwide. She is passionate about teaching adults, especially women, how to sail.
She learned to sail with the General Dynamics Sailing Club in San Diego in 1977. After moving to New Jersey in 1988, Angela focused on raising her children and starting a company. Sailing resumed when her son went to college. She became a female chaperone for the Sea Scouts on Long Island Sound, which sparked her interest in cruising. The Society for Education of American Sailors (SEAS) of Morris County offered her an instructor position, further fueling her passion for teaching. In 2018, Angela sold her boat, company, and home, moving to Savannah, GA. She joined local sailing clubs, taking on roles like Race Chair and primary instructor.
Margolit's COVID project was to obtain her Captain’s license, which expanded her opportunities. Angela is a member of the Women Sailing Instructor Committee of the National Women's Sailing Association. She has offered her video to promote women's sailing. They are not recommendations nor endorsements of instructors. The videos are intended only as introductions to the member instructors. |
The Women Sailing Instructors Committee is hard at work finalizing official video release forms, clearing the way to start producing in-house NWSA content with a consistent, professional look, like the video featured above. The committee plans to build out NWSA's YouTube playlists with specific categories for beginners, intermediate sailors, and those looking for instructor-focused tips. If you have expertise to share or want to help us build this library, please consider joining the committee and attending our monthly virtual meetings.
The Leadership Development Committee recently met to discuss strengthening the NWSA’s national network and better supporting our members. They are currently planning new ways to enhance member connectivity and increase the visibility of local women’s sailing events through regional collaboration. These initiatives are currently in the planning stages, and the NWSA is committed to ensuring they meet the practical needs of our community. We encourage members who are involved in leadership on the local-level to join us in shaping these resources at our quarterly meetings.
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Thank you to our 2026 Conference Sponsors |
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Belize Sailing Vacations
Long Beach Sailing Foundation |
FORESPAR The Chiropractic Lab
Narragansett Sailing and Boating School |
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