Representing WSF/NWSA, I attended the US Sailing Leadership Forum in San Diego, CA at the beginning of February. Three other board members were in attendance, balancing their volunteerism with their livelihoods. It was a great opportunity to spread the mission of the organization and to connect with existing and potential member and partners.
Registration for our 2025 conference in St. Petersburg, FL will open on March 1 for a 2-week window for members only. Since many of the seminars have low maximum enrolments, join NWSA to secure your spots by registering early!
Our WSF/NWSA all-volunteer board is hard at work making improvements to our member management system and website. If you have questions or encounter glitches, please let us know.
Let’s go Sailing!
Debby
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Women's Sailing Foundation board members at the US Sailing Leadership Forum (L-R): Jodi Weinbecker, Erica Trejo, Marie Rogers and Debby Grimm. |
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Member registration opens for Conference
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Annually, National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) organizes a hands-on workshops for women sailors of all levels, on the water and in the classroom. We’re thrilled to expand the 2025 event to three exciting days (June 6-8) of Knowledge-Skills-Fun!
Workshops are led by highly skilled, enthusiastic women sail instructors and captains passionate about sharing knowledge, skills and expertise.
Saturday and Sunday package registrations opens for NWSA Members on March 1 for the discounted member-only price of $225. NWSA members-only registration will close March 15. Join now or before March 15 to take advantage of this and other member benefits, including affordable dorm housing at the venue. |
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Thank you to everyone who nominated a person for the Leadership in Women's Sailing Award.
The award will be presented at NWSA's Conference on Saturday, June 7. |
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New membership platform will offer you more
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NWSA has a new membership management tool. It will improve your member experiences! - We can offer you a way to connect with other NWSA members
- The Membership Interest Form allows you to share your ideas and tell us exactly what you want from your membership
- Easily create or update your member profile
We will be better equipped to offer events around the country - Message Boards / Discussion Forums ?allow members to conduct ongoing discussions online; multiple boards can be organized around different subject categories; within which, members can start topics for discussion
- Our calendar will show upcoming women's sailing events NWSA produces, as well as events submitted by other women-serving sailing organizations
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NWSA website will have a new fresh look with well organized content
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Congratulations to 2024 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, Cole Brauer
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The 2024 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards were presented on February 6, 2025, during the US Sailing Awards Ceremony at the 2025 US Sailing Leadership Forum in Coronado, California. This annual event, established in 1961 and sponsored by Rolex since 1980, honors American sailors who have demonstrated exceptional on-the-water excellence.
Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year is Cole Brauer, who made history as the first American woman to sail solo non-stop around the world, achieving this feat during the inaugural Global Solo Challenge.
Erica Trejo, NWSA board member, is excited to share that her sister, Monica Morgan was a finalist for this prestigious award in sailing.
Dubbed "The Secret Weapon" by Sailing World Magazine, Morgan exemplifies what it means to be a resilient and hardworking team player, and that together anything is possible. Her year was perfect with National and World Championships in multiple fleets. Although Morgan did not win the Rolex award, she had an amazing year and proves to be a remarkable athlete both on and off the water. Cole is an awe-inspiring young woman as well,
and accepted the award while out somewhere near Australia on her second global challenge, this time assisting Elizabeth Tucker on S/V First Light. Brauer's journey was not only a feat of endurance and skill but also a storytelling triumph.
Through her regular photo and video updates on Instagram, she amassed nearly 400,000 followers, |
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Left to right — Womens' Sailing Foundation board members, Erica Trejo, Debby Grimm (president), Marie Rogers and Jodie Winebecker attended to show support for Monica Morgan (center) and all she does to enhance the sport and inspire the next generation of sailors. |
bringing the adventure and challenges of solo ocean racing to a new audience. Her achievements have redefined what is possible in the sport and inspired countless sailors and fans worldwide.
Ian Barrows and Hans Henken were recognized as Rolex Yachtsmen of the Year for their outstanding performances in the Olympic Men's Skiff, securing a bronze medal.
The winners were presented with the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Award trophy along with specially engraved Rolex Yacht-Master timepieces. These awards celebrate the dedication, talent, and passion that drive the sport of sailing forward in the United States. We are so happy for Cole and Monica, powerhouse women proving that anything is achievable. |
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Join NWSA and women sailors for the March She Sailor Sea Story storytelling episode DREAM sponsored by BoatUS. Tune in for an evening of drama, laughter and community. Join LIVE on Zoom or at your convenience at NWSA's YouTube channel for story replays.
The DREAM episode will be hosted by an emerging filmmaker and storyteller Inga Grimmet. Storyteller Sarah Scott will make a return appearance. Author/sailor, Heidi Love, is sure to be a great storyteller as she shares her DREAM sailing.
Stay up to date on this and future episodes by joining NWSA or subscribing to our Facebook page.
She Sailor Sea Story is always FREE but RSVP is required.
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| At the US Sailing Leadership Forum |
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Debby Grimm & Erica Trejo present Why Women's Sailing Events Matter: highlighting Adventure Sail, NWSA Women's Sailing Conference, and the Leadership in Women's Sailing Award at a breakout session. Top right:
US Sailing Leadership Forum is a three day conference that brings together public and private sailing organizations to help further the sport across the country. This year, the event hosted over 450 attendees. Left:
Lili Colby & Marie Rogers try the latest in waterproof footwear from USLF Sponsor VESSI |
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Support women and girls sailing through a NWSA membership |
Primarily funded by your membership NWSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization with a mission to enrich the lives of women and girls through education and access to sailing. |
| Get these benefits of membership too:
- Access to exclusive content, like video interviews, video educational instruction
- Discounted pricing for the Annual Conference and Early Bird Workshop Selection
- Discount offers to products and services from our sponsors and affiliates
- Discount coupons for our store
When you jin you will recieve the Take the Helm newsletter for news and events sent to your inbox.
For $45 join annually, or join for three years $100. Choose a membership plan that best suits your needs. We recommend the auto renew option to assure your support will continue without interuption. Help us Share Sailing!
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Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship |
The Women’s Sailing Foundation offers the Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship for an enhanced sailing experience or program for a teenaged girl. Apply before midnight (Eastern) on April 15.
This special scholarship is offered to girls between the ages of 14 and 19 with a financial need to broaden their sailing experiences. The opportunities to which the scholarship may be applied include, but are not limited to, enrolment in:
• An advanced sailing program
• A racing program
• A tall ship or live-aboard experience
• A marine or maritime-related program
Sailing-related programs will take precedence. The successful applicant will receive $500 in scholarship funds payable to their program. A person can only receive the Sue Corl Youth Sailing Scholarship once.
Apply for the Sue Corl scholarship | |
Youth Learn to Sail Scholarship |
Girls attending AdventureSail in 2024 are eligible to receive a Learn to Sail Youth Scholarship. The scholarship for up to $500 can be applied to any recognized sailing program. AdventureSail participants must apply for the scholarship within one year of their participation. Ask for a letter of recommendation. Write an essay and apply.
Apply for the Learn to Sail Youth Scholarship |
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Thank you to our 2025 conference sponsors |
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© 2025 National Women’s Sailing Association and the Women's Sailing Foundation. All rights reserved.
AdventureSail, Take the Helm, Making Changes Come About are registered trademarks.? womensailing.org • leadership@womensailing.org
National Women's Sailing Association, PO Box 588, Marblehead, MA 01945, United States |
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