Women get hands-on sail reefing experience at the NWSA Women’s Sailing
Conference.
NWSA Women’s Sailing Conference
Slated for June 2 Marblehead, MA
Event
to be held at Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, Massachusetts
Where do
ladies go to improve their sailing? The National Women’s Sailing Association
(NWSA) will hold its 17th Annual Women's
Sailing Conference on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at the Corinthian Yacht Club
in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The event, which features hands-on land- and
water-based workshops and seminars, offers women a fantastic opportunity to
learn or hone sailing skills, network with other women sailors from all over
the United States, and gain the confidence necessary to become a valuable crew
member or knowledgeable skipper.
Financial
support from the major supporters, Boat Owners Association of The United States
(BoatUS) and Black Rock Sailing School of
Boston, Massachusetts, enables NWSA to meet the educational needs of women
sailors and continue to provide one of the top women’s sailing conferences in
the US.
“Women of all
sailing abilities are encouraged to attend,” said NWSA President Linda Newland.
“By sharing experiences, women leave with improved skills and knowledge that
contribute to better days on the water. There is always something of interest
for everyone.” Cheryl Steiner, conference co-chair and registrar, said,
“Seventy percent of last year’s attendees had five or more years of sailing
experience. With more experienced sailors attending, we’ve moved some of our
2018 courses in that direction.”
On the water,
women can improve their sail trim skills or take the helm for their very first
time in a Colgate 26 or Sonar provided by Black Rock Sailing School and the
Corinthian Yacht Club.
New courses
this year include Preparing for Offshore and Extended Cruising, Sailboat as
Teacher (how to be aware of what your sailboat is telling you), Classroom
Docking, Navigating the Intracoastal Waterway with the Help of Electronic
Tools, and ‘Forty Camels’, an entertaining look at cruising the Red Sea.
Returning conference workshops include Suddenly Singlehanded, Dinghy Captain,
Navigating in the Fog, Plot Your Course, Know Your Rigging, Reefing and When to
Reef, Using Spring Lines, as well as beginner’s necessities such as Knots to
Know.
Some of the
women teaching the courses include women’s sailing school owner Captain Nancy
Erly of Seattle, Washington; American Boat and Yacht Council master marine
technician Beth Burlingame; and rigger and diesel engine mechanic Captain
Bonnie Schaeffer.
Conference
registration is $180 and includes a continental breakfast, buffet lunch,
dinner, guest speaker, workshops, raffle ticket and 2018 Leadership in Women’s
Sailing Award presentation. A silent auction will also be held throughout the
day. Registration opens in the spring at womensailing.org.
For additional
information, contact co-chair Joan Thayer at joan_thayer@comcast.net.