On August 2, 2008 75 women from Oregon, Washington, California, Texas, New York, Arkansas and Massachusetts descended on Port Townsend Yacht Club in Washington State for the Inaugural Women’s Sailing Conference on the West Coast.  The 51 participants, 15 workshop leaders and 10 other volunteers enjoyed a continental breakfast and were welcomed by Event Chair Linda Newland and Commodore Dave Weeding of Port Townsend Yacht Club. Workshop leaders came from local areas as well as California. Many are US Coast Guard licensed and are certified as professional sailing educators.

 NWSA President Valli Cook (NY) and Vice President Joan Thayer (MA) flew in to support the event. Val welcomed the participants.  She thanked BoatU.S. for providing the primary sponsorship.  

Participants gave high marks to the various workshops which included charting, knot tying, GPS navigation, sail trim at the dock and on the water, helming a boat, learning crew overboard recovery procedures in 10 knot winds on picturesque Port Townsend Bay surrounded by the Olympic Mountains to the West and Cascades to the East.

Nancy Erley, locally and nationally known as a two time circumnavigator, was the keynote speaker in addition to leading several workshops.  She showed video clips from her circumnavigations that were crewed solely by women. Interspersing the video with compelling stories of the challenges met and conquered by the crew, Nancy mesmerized the women. In 2006 Nancy received the Leadership in Women’s Sailing award sponsored by NWSA and BoatU.S. She has taught sailing and seamanship skills widely throughout the Northwest.

 The day ended with a wine and cheese reception. Seafaring music was played by “Tuesday Morning” with Betty Sleeth on guitar and Marilyn Bruner on keyboard. Both women were also workshop leaders.  Raffle prize winners were announced during the reception.  All proceeds fund the NWSA AdventureSail® program for at risk girls ages 9-14. 

The enthusiastic women enjoyed the skill-building classes, but of equal importance was the confidence building they acquired working with other women and the ability to network for future sailing opportunities.