27th Annual SCYA Women’s Sailing Convention is the place to learn

by BoatUS on 15 Oct 2015 Where do women sailors go to learn? The Southern California Yachting Association (SCYA) will hold its 27th Annual Women’s Sailing Convention on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Corona del Mar, California.

The daylong, ladies-only series of shore and boat-based workshops offer beginners to experts a welcoming environment to learn more about all topics sailing. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has been the event’s primary sponsor since its inception.

Attendees select a combination workshops in areas that best fits their interest and ability, and top women sailors from all over Southern California, many of whom are USCG Licensed Captains, present 30 topics. Workshops include: Welcome Aboard (for beginners), Diesels, Introduction to Racing, Tactics, Docking, Suddenly Singlehanded Interactive, Weather, Sail Trim, Basic Navigation, Maintenance Mania, DIY Canvas Projects, How to Heave a Line, Nighttime Sailing and Navigation, Hassel-Free Heads, Spinnaker Rigging, Offshore Cruising, and Introduction to Sailing. New workshops planned this year include “The Race Committee Experience,” and Power Boating. The Race Starts workshop will be held in Harbor 20s.

To top off the event in the evening, the 2016 speaker will be Ms. Margaret Bonds Podlich who serves as President of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). Ms. Podlich began at BoatUS in 1994 as the Director of the former BoatUS Clean Water Trust. Ms. Podlich is a life-long boater, raised in a sailing family. After racing in college while attending Tulane University, she competed in a wide range of national and international events including finishing fourth in this year's Rolex Women's International Keelboat Regatta.

According to the event’s director Gail Hine, “The Convention gives women an opportunity to meet other women sailors, discuss options for more racing, cruising and day sailing, find out about existing women’s sailing organizations in their area as well as instructional programs available. We have something meaningful for everyone. Attendees have reported that the convention was one of their most rewarding boating experiences and best-organized event they have ever attended.”