Sunny Southern California did not disappoint—and neither did the instructors, the attendees’ enthusiasm, or the venues, food, and drink. I truly enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many new sailors on the West Coast, from experienced veterans who shared their knowledge to novice sailors who soaked up as much as they could over the weekend.
Thank you to all of the instructors for volunteering their time and expertise. A special thank you to Alli Bell for spending the entire weekend teaching, speaking, and leading, and to Dawn Riley for helping to honor our attendees and the SCYA Legacy Award recipients. I also want to thank all of our sponsors, especially American Sailing for their generous support, and Mustang Survival and Lili Colby for helping present the always-fun fashion show.
With the 2026 conference in our wake, our focus shifts to AdventureSail®. We look forward to partnering with local groups across the country to get girls ages 9–14 on the water. Please watch for more information in upcoming emails, and reach out if you have any questions.
In addition to supporting girls sailing through AdventureSail®, the Women's Sailing Foundation has opened the first application window for the Sue Corl Scholarship. This scholarship supports teenage girls with sailing experience who are ready to take the next step by attending a camp, regatta, or clinic to further develop their skills. Details and the application are available on our website.
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Photograph by Laurie Morrison |
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2026 NWSA/SCYA
Women's Sailing Conference |
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Photograph by Betsy Senescu |
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The historic Long Beach Yacht Club recently served as the backdrop for the landmark 2026 NWSA/SCYA Women’s Sailing Conference. Breaking from its traditional format, this year marked the first time the event spanned two full days of workshops. The expanded schedule allowed expert female sailors to share technical knowledge and leadership insights with an eager audience of peers, ranging from first-time sailors to experienced boat owners.
The tone of the weekend was set by keynote speaker and TransPac winner Alli Bell. Quoting a timeless piece of advice, she reminded the crowd that "if you don't know where you're going, you'll end up somewhere else." Bell’s address was a call to action, urging attendees to stay receptive to the specific opportunities and skills that bridge the gap between their current abilities and their ultimate sailing goals.
A recurring theme throughout the sessions was self-reliance and community building. Sailing icon Dawn Riley encouraged participants to show up and build the community they want to see. This sentiment was bolstered by a chorus of women who shared stories under a singular, bold mantra: "Buy the Boat!" These sailors detailed how they stopped waiting for invitations and instead took ownership of their education by purchasing their own vessels. Supporting this push for independence was a parallel focus on helping non-boat owners refine their skills, ensuring they become the highly capable crew members essential to a thriving, interconnected sailing community.
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Technical mastery remained a core focus. Workshops on boat systems, engine maintenance, navigation, docking and anchoring focused on giving sailors the tools to handle their boats with confidence. Sessions on weather, first-aid, knot-tying, and line handling introduced and reinforced vital skills, while safety fundamentals covered everything from life jacket maintenance and damage control to the high-stakes logistics of crew-overboard rescue.
Complementing these technical skills was the "human" element of sailing. An entire track dedicated to advancing leadership, led by Alli Bell, helped sailors learn to optimize their crew's potential and work cohesively under pressure. Other sessions focused on the traits of a reliable, skilled crew member, while a dedicated panel on "Raising the Fleet" explored ways to grow women’s sailing together. The discussion emphasized that every sailor deserves to feel welcomed and have equal access to the water, regardless of their starting point.
The weekend culminated in a display of skill and teamwork. Participants in the advanced sail trim and leadership tracks put their lessons to the test during a half-day regatta. In a fitting conclusion to the collaborative spirit of the event, the race was managed entirely by the attendees of the Race Committee Track. It was a powerful end to a weekend defined by women teaching, leading, and empowering one another to take command of their own journeys. |
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A Special Recognition
NWSA is thankful to Gail Hine for designing the conference model we use today. NWSA has awarded the 3rd annual Gail Hine NWSA Conference Scholarship. This year, the scholarship provided local Southern California sailor Bel-Ayre Robbins (pictured) the opportunity to attend and participate in the weekend's programs. As Jodi Masters-Gonzales aptly noted when reflecting on Gail’s impact: "Her DNA is baked right into this... she is here with us." |
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Photograph by Betsy Senescu |
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Built for the Water, Inspired by You Mustang Survival at NWSA/SCYA Conference |
Mustang Survival extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone at the NWSA/SCYA Women’s Sailing Conference at the Long Beach Yacht Club. What an inspiring few days on and off the water! One of the most powerful moments of the conference was witnessing the enthusiasm of new sailors experiencing their very first time on the water. That sense of discovery—paired with the incredible passion and commitment of the instructors—captured exactly what makes this community so special. |
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We also want to recognize the dedicated board members and volunteers from NWSA & SCYA for creating such a welcoming, impactful, and well-executed event. Your leadership continues to grow and strengthen the sailing community in meaningful ways. We were proud to be a conference sponsor. A special shoutout to the amazing models who brought energy and style to the Mustang Survival Fashion Show —Bel-Ayre Robbins, Kendall Borchardt, and Kim Walther—you truly rocked it! We’re also excited to announce the winners of our “I Love Sailing Because…” Enter to WIN Contest:
• Leticia Christopherson (Beaverton, OR) • Brenda Shears (Mission Beach, CA & Santa Fe, NM) • Kim Gusman (New Orleans, LA)
• Bailey Kruse (Newport Beach, CA) Congratulations to all! Mustang Lili will be reaching out to help you select the Mustang Survival life jacket that’s right for you.
Are you sharing your conference experience? Be sure to tag Mustang Survival and use #livebeyondland—we love seeing your stories! See you next year! |
| Photograph by Laurie Morrison |
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Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship application window ends April 30 |
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Women’s Sailing Foundation offers the WSF Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship for girls ages 14-19 desiring to enhance their sailing experience and demonstrating financial need. This first 2026 scholarship application window ending April 30, 2026 is for a qualifying sailing or related program. There will be three windows for awards this year. Read more here.
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Safety First:
Is your lifejacket actually ready? |
There is a humorous anecdote often shared by Coast Guard safety specialists. During a Monday morning briefing after a busy holiday weekend, an Admiral was commending a Search and Rescue team for their heroics in saving a group of sailors after a sinking incident. Turning to Bob, the recreational boating safety expert, the Admiral asked, “What did your team do this weekend, Bob?”
Bob responded proudly, “Sir, we saved everyone else!” It is a classic point: prevention is often invisible and hard to quantify, but the data consistently shows it is what keeps a fun weekend from turning into a tragedy. |
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A Wake-Up Call in Long Beach
Prevention unexpectedly took center stage during the recent NWSA/SCYA conference in Long Beach, and the results were eye-opening. During routine dockside "buddy checks," we identified an all-too-common maintenance issue. In one Crew Overboard (COB) class alone, there was a 50% failure rate during visual inspections.
Several lifejackets were found to be completely inoperable. In some cases, a gas cartridge had never even been installed. One participant admitted she had worn her lifejacket for two years without realizing it wouldn't have inflated if she had gone overboard. |
| CPT. Margaret Pommert ensures the PFDs of attendees in the Crew Overboard workshop at the 2026 conference are loaded and ready to deploy in case of emergency. |
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The Green Light Means "Go" Most inflatable lifejackets feature a transparent window or an easy-access opening to check the status of the inflator indicator. - Green: You are good to go.
- Red: The jacket will not inflate.
Because it can be hard to see your own indicator while wearing the vest, we strongly recommend a Buddy System. Check your friend’s indicator, and have them check yours. It takes five seconds and could save a life. Your Safety Checklist
To ensure you stay safe on the water, please add these two steps to your routine: - The Pre-Flight Check: Perform a visual inspection of your indicator before every single outing.
- The Annual Service: Perform a full maintenance check-up every spring.
For more details on how to keep your gear functional, check out the our video of the month below. Stay safe and have fun sailing! |
She Sailor Sea Story on April 23 |
In 2003 Dawn Riley was recognized as the BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing honoree. In 2023 she was inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame after the feature film, Maiden, chronicled the story of the 1989–90 Whitbread Race to a wide audience. More than just a few sailors learned about the women, including Riley, who sailed around the world. Maiden set out to prove the women aboard were resourceful and capable sailors even under the demanding circumstances of blue water racing.
In the movie, Riley recalls, “We started the race, and many people thought we were going to lose and cry and all that kind of stuff, and we won two of the hardest legs with all women aboard. When you are away from land and there are only ten people on the boat, it doesn’t matter if they are male or female. There are absolutely no jobs women can’t do offshore.” She continues, “In my opinion, the last frontier for women in sailing is in decision-making roles. Women in leadership with decision-making powers is where we need to go. The next step is for more women to own their own boats.”
With two round-the-world races, America's Cup races, and much, much more, Riley will surely share inspirational sea stories.
The She Sailor Sea Story — Broken Glass Zoom is free. Zoom a bit after the She Stories and enjoy a sailor's social Happy 1/2 Hour. |
She Sailor Sea Story on April 24 |
Sheila McCurdy is the author of the soon to be published High Seas and Home Waters: The Centennial History of the Cruising Club of America. She is also the vice chair of the Board of Trustees of Mystic Seaport Museum, a board member of Storm Trysail Club, and only female commodore (so far) of the Cruising Club of America. She races and cruises her 38-foot sloop, Selkie, designed by her father Jim McCurdy and co-owned by her husband RADM David Brown, (USMS ret.).
She’s sailed over 125,000 miles offshore, including ten trans-Atlantics and several Pacific passages. McCurdy advised the US Naval Academy Sailing for 20 years, ran the US Sailing Association’s national faculty for 13 years, and received the BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award in 2018. |
Jennifer Silva Redmond has been cruising on sailboats since 1989, and living aboard a sailboat with her husband for all but three of those 37 years.
She has spoken to yacht clubs and sailing groups from Baja to Port Townsend, Washington, and published her sea stories in Cruising World, Sail Magazine, Latitude 38, and The Log.
Her memoir Honeymoon at Sea: How I Found Myself Living on a Small Boat, was published in 2003 by Re:Books of Toronto, Canada.
Zoom a bit after the She Stories, stay and enjoy a sailor's social Happy 1/2 Hour.
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Board Spotlight:
Kathleen Seero in St. Barths |
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Volunteering for the 2026 St. Barths Bucket Regatta was an exhilarating experience that combined my passion for sailing with the opportunity to contribute to a world-class event. Held in Gustavia from March 12–15, the regatta featured 33 yachts across nine classes, showcasing some of the most magnificent sailing vessels on the planet. This marked my second year volunteering with the incredible team of “The Bucket,” a dedicated group of 40 volunteers who ensure the event runs smoothly and spectacularly.
As part of the race committee crew, our primary responsibility was to locate and drop several windward marks according to the planned courses. This year presented unique challenges due to sustained 18-25 knot breezes and 4-8 foot rolling swells. While out on the course, we relayed constant wind speed and heading checks to maintain a competitive course, and monitored the yachts to ensure compliance with the rules.
The St. Barths Bucket Regatta has a rich history, originating from a yacht design discussion at a party hosted by Nelson Doubleday, where a spare bucket served as the first trophy. Initially known as the Nantucket Bucket, it was an annual August event on Nantucket Sound before moving to St. Barths in 1995. The regatta has grown significantly, now featuring intense, professional-level, three-day pursuit-style racing with over 40 top-tier super yachts. In 2026, a fourth day of racing was added to accommodate fluctuating trade wind conditions and the desire for more sailing.
Amidst the professional racing, I had the opportunity to enjoy the vibrant social scene that accompanies all regattas. I met a group of women sailors from New York who were sailing on Arabella, a stunning 157-foot schooner renowned for her iconic three masts and majestic sail plan. Arabella embodies a clean and healthy outdoor lifestyle, committed to sustainability with farm-to-table provisioning and eco-conscious practices. The majority of her crew were women, which was truly inspiring and made my heart soar.
The New Yorkers invited me to sail with them the next day, and with my boyfriend’s blessing, I eagerly accepted. Despite the challenges schooners face in upwind racing, I had an absolute blast sailing the around the island course. It was an incredible opportunity to meet new sailing friends and experience the grace and beauty of Arabella firsthand. Volunteering at the St. Barths Bucket Regatta and racing with Arabella were unforgettable experiences that deepened my love for sailing and the camaraderie it fosters.
I want to extend a deep thank you to Sarah Raymond and Micheal Fortenbaugh for their hospitality and letting me tag along. Arabella travels all over and you can join the crew for next year! If you would like more info on the St. Barts Bucket Regatta, check out https://bucketregatta.com. |
Exciting new Aqua Map benefit for NWSA members! |
We’re thrilled to introduce a brand-new benefit to you our members:
25% Discount for Aqua Map navigation software. This exclusive perk is designed to add more value to your membership and enhance your experience with NWSA.
What You Get:
A marine navigation app designed for smartphones and tablets
Up-to-date nautical charts
Marine forecasts, AIS target tracking, and Live Sharing Why You’ll Love It:
With this benefit, you’ll enjoy easy to use navigation with current and future weather information. It’s our way of saying thank you for being a valued member! How to Access the Benefit:
Simply log into your NWSA account. Your email address is your user name, unless you changed it. If you do not remember your password, click on "Forgot Username or Password". Please let us know if you need help logging into your account.
Click on this link to access this members only benefit. If you would like to join NWSA to access this and other Member's only benefits, clink on this link.
Don’t miss out—start enjoying Aqua Map today! |
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Women Sailing and Boating Conference
April 25, 2026 Barrington, RI
The Narragansett Sailing and Boating 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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Safety at Sea
May 2-3 2026 Chicago, IL
Join US Sailing for a Sanctioned Safety at Sea course hosted by Columbia and Jackson Park Yacht Clubs. Your choice of a two-day full offshore hands-on certification course, a one-day classroom-only training, or a one-day hands-on training course. |
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Annual (Spring) lifejacket maintenance check video, mentioned in Safety First article above. |
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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