Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

'Capture the Power,' urges BoatUS/NWSA Award Honoree Linda Newland

by Scott Croft 10 Jun 2022 07:38 AEST
Linda Newland, the 2022 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award honoree © National Women’s Sailing Association

Nearly four decades ago, Linda Newland, a greenhorn sailor, found herself alone on a sailboat with a sorry lack of nautical know-how. She became determined not to have the humbling event define her sailing.

Now with thousands of Pacific Ocean sailing miles under her keel and extensive cruising in the Pacific Northwest, Newland made that lonely day on the water a turning point on her a journey to competency, racing, record-setting and leadership among women sailors.

Along with a newly formed crew of women sailor friends, Newland began to organize events to hone and share her newfound skills with other women sailors. In doing so, she laid the foundation for Northern California's Island Yacht Club (IYC) Women's Sailing Seminar, now in its 30th year, a testament to its popularity and demand. Today, Newland is honored with the 2022 Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) / National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) Leadership in Women's Sailing Award.

The BoatUS/NWSA Award annually recognizes an individual with a record of achievement in inspiring, educating and enriching the lives of women through sailing. Newland's nomination through IYC sought to honor her for "decades of achievement and serving as a shining star for thousands of women," said IYC Commodore Ros de Vries. "[Newland's] experience and her contributions to the sport of sailing are indeed exemplary, and indeed her own. The pathways she has created continue to inspire and empower women who sail," he added.

Newland holds the fastest woman, singlehanded San Francisco-to-Japan record and has sailed and raced extensively on the West Coast. She is a two-time, 2,025-mile Los Angeles-to-Honolulu Transpac competitor as well as a Pacific Cup veteran. In the 1997 Transpac aboard her own boat, Newland skippered an all-women crew to a second-place division finish.

A 100-ton merchant marine license holder, Newland teaches sailing and is a certified American Sailing Association instructor. She has served as secretary for Recreational Boaters of Washington, which represents recreational boaters' interests in Washington legislative and regulatory actions, and is a past commander and now assistant squadron education officer of the Point Wilson Sail and Power Squadron in Port Townsend, Washington. She is a long-standing board member of NWSA, having served as vice president, president and co-chair of the AdventureSail committee.

Newland will receive the award at the IYC Northern California Women's Sailing Seminar in October, after completing a long-delayed Alaskan cruise with her husband, Dan, and family pets Nubs the cat and Tutu the bird.

Related Articles

CYCA and RFBYC announce partnership
To host Australia's premier match racing events The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club are pleased to announce a joint partnership between the two Clubs to host Australia's premier match racing events in January each year. Posted today at 9:55 am
Port Phillip Double-Handed Perpetual Cup
66 sailors on 33 boats take part in one of sailing's more demanding formats Melbourne was at her autumnal best on Sunday the 18th of May delivering ideal conditions for the 2025 Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's (ORCV) Double-Handed Yacht Race around Port Phillip. Posted today at 8:45 am
2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA Day 1
Racing in Women's World Match Racing Tour Event 2 underway Perfect conditions graced the opening day of the 2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA, Stage 2 of the 2025 Women's World Match Racing Tour following the tour season opener in San Francisco last week. Posted today at 5:40 am
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 2
It can be easy to win! For everyone else, it was a day of tense battles Win the start, grab the first shift, consolidate and extend! The winning formula is easy, and those who got ahead took full advantage of an easy course once they got to the front. For everyone else, it was a day of tense battles. Posted today at 5:14 am
In Memoriam - Darren 'Baz' Williams
The yachting industry was shocked and saddened at the passing of Darren Williams The yachting industry was shocked and saddened at the untimely passing of identity Darren (Baz) Williams at the age of 59 after a year-long battle with cancer. In many ways Baz was a very private person and flew under the radar for many... Posted on 4 Jun
Torrid 29er Nationals test 30 crews at Manly
Long-time sailing buddies Will Mason and Will Leech dominated the Polished Concrete 29er Nationals. Long-time sailing buddies Will Mason and Will Leech teamed up to dominate the 2025 Polished Concrete NZ 29er Nationals at Manly SC, in challenging conditions, over Kings Birthday weekend. Posted on 4 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 2
American Magic Quantum Racing extend their lead after challenging light winds day Patience, concentration, risk management and perhaps a highly developed sixth sense of the subtle changes in the light breezes, were among the key assets shared by the crews which did best today, the second racing day. Posted on 4 Jun
Loro Piana Giraglia 2025 preview
139 yachts are set to line up on the starting line Starting tomorrow, Thursday, 5 June, registration opens for the 72nd edition of the Loro Piana Giraglia, the oldest offshore regatta in the Mediterranean. Posted on 4 Jun
Wild Thing eyeing Sydney to Auckland record
The new mast to suit the 100 footer was stepped in May Grant Wharington is getting Wild Thing 100 revved up - the new mast to suit the 100 footer was stepped and new sails by Kiwi, Rodney Keenan, added in May - so the timing is right to have a crack at the record in the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race. Posted on 4 Jun
Armstrong Foils Demo Days return for 2025
Test the latest gear, get expert advice, and ride with the pros. Armstrong Foils is proud to announce the return of Armstrong Demo Days for 2025. Test the latest gear, get expert advice, and ride with the pros. Posted on 4 Jun
Zhik 2024 DecemberRolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERTrofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca 2025