Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts Leaderboard 2024 4

2025 National Women's Sailing Association Conference, presented by American Sailing, slated for June

by BoatUS 18 Mar 07:52 PDT June 6-8, 2025
The 2025 National Women's Sailing Association Conference welcomes women sailors of all skill levels, ages and backgrounds © NWSA

The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) is expanding its 2025 National Women's Sailing Association Conference, presented by American Sailing, to three days.

This year, the annual event will be held June 6th to 8th at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg. The event welcomes women sailors of all skill levels, ages and backgrounds to workshops including the popular Take the Helm® track—an introduction to sailing for women—and offers a view into the marine industry and opportunities to meet and network with accomplished cruisers and racers.

The Saturday morning keynote speaker will be Tracy Edwards, MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire), world racer and Project Manager of The Maiden Factor where she skippers Maiden, a global ambassador for the empowerment of girls through education. The Saturday evening keynote speaker will be Women's Sailing Foundation Founder and National Sailing Hall of Famer Doris Colgate.

Friday welcomes the first morning classes followed by lunch and tours of two prominent industry leader facilities: Mastry Engine Center and Island Packet Yachts factory. Women Who Sail Tampa Bay will be hosting its 10th anniversary party and welcomes NWSA attendees for a happy hour celebration.

Saturday programming includes a full day of classroom, dockside and on-the-water workshops taught by experienced female instructors and captains from across the nation. Women can fine tune their spinnaker-setting, sail trim, navigation, and boat systems knowledge; learn how to recover a crew overboard; and more. There will be more than 30 different classes at different levels to choose from. Breakfast and lunch are included as well as a post-event fundraising raffle and silent auction for girls scholarships & NWSA AdventureSail® Program with a cocktail social hour.

During the luncheon, NWSA will announce and introduce the 2025 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award recipient, an honor co-sponsored by NWSA and BoatUS since 1999. This award recognizes an individual with a record of achievement in inspiring, educating and enriching the lives of women through sailing.

Conference classes continue Sunday morning at St. Petersburg Yacht Club followed by an optional brunch with "Gaining Speed on Racing" speakers and a Mustang sailing gear fashion show.

Sponsors of the 2025 NWSA event include American Sailing, BoatUS, Aqua Map, Mustang Survival, Sail Technologies, GirlsSailing.com, Flying Scot, Live The Sail Life, and The Yacht Rigger.

To register or learn more go to bit.ly/NWSAConference. Registration is $275 through April 14 and $325 thereafter. Send conference questions to or call 985-247-8919.

Related Articles

Leadership in Women's Sailing Award Nominations
Recognizing achievement in inspiring, educating and enriching the lives of women through sailing The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) and Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) have opened nominations for the 2025 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award. Posted on 12 Nov 2024
Jerelyn Biehl honored for leadership
With 2024 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award The youngest of three children, Jerelyn Biehl was born into a sailing family. She learned sailing from her parents and as a teenager absorbed all things boating at her father's marine store. Posted on 13 Jun 2024
NWSA to host 2024 Conference
Ticket sales open March 16 The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) comes to the Crescent City with the 2024 National Women's Sailing Association Conference on Saturday, June 8, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Southern Yacht Club with help from Community Sailing New Orleans. Posted on 15 Mar 2024
Dr. Anne Kolker honored with Women's Sailing Award
By the Boat Owners Association of The United States and the National Women's Sailing Association Dr. Anne Kolker grew up sailing, first as a youngster, then through college, medical school and into marriage. However, when her husband died in 2008, she realized that she needed to learn more about sailing and grow her confidence behind the wheel. Posted on 6 Jun 2023
What's the Best 'Ship' in the Country?
Sea Scout Ship Viking of San Francisco honored with 2023-24 BoatUS National Flagship Award Sea Scout Ship Viking (Ship100) has been has named the 2023-2024 BoatUS National Flagship – a recognition as the best “ship” (Sea Scout group) in the country. Posted on 13 May 2023
West Coast's Sailing Convention for Women returns
BoatUS has sponsored the event for nearly three decades After a Covid hiatus the Sailing Convention for Women is back with full sails and expanded learning opportunities and slated for Saturday, April 1, 2023. Posted on 8 Dec 2022
Linda Newland urges women to 'Capture the Power'
BoatUS/NWSA Award Honoree 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. Posted on 9 Jun 2022
NWSA to roll out red carpet for women sailors
'Sharing Sailing!' Conference to be held at Houston Yacht Club The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) Conference comes to Houston Yacht Club, May 20-21, offering a day of fun, camaraderie and exceptional learning experiences for women sailors of all ages. Posted on 20 Mar 2022
NWSA Conference comes to Chicago's Jackson Park YC
“Sharing Sailing,” spotlights issue that sailors represent a small fraction of sailors nationwide Women sailors from all over the country will be heading to Jackson Park Yacht Club on Saturday, September 11 for the 20th annual Women's Sailing Conference. Posted on 27 Jul 2021
BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award
Honoree Marie Rogers: 'Sailing Is an Amazing Metaphor of How to Get Along' Race has been at the top of many minds this year, which has led to some uncomfortable conversations, self-examination, and commitments for change. Posted on 7 Jul 2021
Sea Sure 2025Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP BOTTOMExposure Marine