News Archives 2009

The Tall Ship, Unicorn, with its all female crew participated in the Gloucester Mayor's Race Sunday, September 6th. The wind was perfect for these large vessels, but the seas did not look kindly on many. Not only did the women have a chance to work the sails and steer the vessel, but learned about their particular learning styles. Owner Dawn Santamaria is an excellent chef as well as teacher. For more about Sisters Under Sail, visit the website www.sistersundersail.org.

Take the Helm® summer 2009 Newsletter has arrived! >>READ MORE

AdventureSail®

July 11, 2009 Sag Harbor, NY
Host club: Breakwater Yacht Club
Event Chair: Charlene Kagel, ckagel@town.southampton.ny.us

June 27, 2009 Grass Valley, CA
Host club: Gold Country Yacht Club
Event Chair: Tish Buti

This picture tells the whole story about Friendship Club Day 2009! We had a very small group of girls from the Friendship Club this year, but that definitely did not reduce the amount of fun we had. Thanks to Jerry Grant, Jerry Lewis, Scott & Debbie Mack, David Niedziejko, Howard & Donna Hendrich, Hugh & Nicki Talman and of course, my husband, Wayne, we had more than enough boats and skippers (and water guns!) to make it a really nice day for everyone. The girls really seemed to enjoy getting to drive the boats and playing like bow ornaments. Some of them even played like fish on the end of a line!

The wind and weather cooperated and we had an absolutely picture-perfect day. The Women’s Sailing Foundation sent plenty of AdventureSail® tee-shirts and fanny packs to take home and GCYC provided our specialty – a hot dog lunch - for all the skippers and girls.

Thank you to all of you who took time out from your busy schedules to help out with this special day!

--Tish Buti, Secretary

June 13, 2009 Charlestown, MA
Host club: Courageous Sailing Center
Event Chair: Dar Collins industrialtech@comcast.net and Susan Epstein sjeppa@aol.com
Sponsor: Boston Private Bank & Trust Company
Food and Beverage Sponsor: Stop N Shop

June 13th marked the 13th AdventureSail® Boston. Sixteen girls from the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston arrived at Courageous Sailing Center ready for a fun filled day on the water. They were not disappointed. The sun shone brightly, and given the summer we have had, we were very lucky. Women volunteers were waiting to greet the girls, hand out AdventureSail T-shirts, outfit them with life jackets and assign them a woman skipper.

The morning began with rigging the Rhodes 19s, getting basic safety instructions and then casting off for an enjoyable sail in Boston Harbor. The girls were so excited to be out on the boats and enjoyed every tack! Each girl had a chance to take the tiller and experience the thrill of steering the boat.

Upon their return, the girls were ready for the barbeque being cooked up by the land team. Still eager for more, the girls engaged in an active knot-tying session with Susan Epstein co-chair of the event. Who knew that tying one’s sneakers was really a square knot! Some of the girls did word searches of boating terminology as well.

To cap off the day, the captain of the US Navy ship that was tied up o the other side of the pier, invited the girls aboard for a tour of the ship. Several of the matches accepted the invitation with much enthusiasm.

AdventureSail® is always one of my favorite days of the summer. To see the excitement on the girls’ faces as they sail off in Rhodes 19's is worth more than you can imagine. We are fortunate to have Courageous Sailing Center as a host for the event and our two sponsors who make the t-shirts and food possible.

A great day for women at the 8^th Annual Women’s Sailing Conference >>READ MORE

NWSA appreciates the financial and in-kind sponors support of various companies and organizations for the 8th Women's Sailing Conference, June 6th 2009. Click here to see who they are.

Paralympic Gold Medalist Honored With Leadership In Women's Sailing Award >>READ MORE

Mack Boring Women-only Diesel Engine Seminar, April 4^th- 5^th, 2009

Nine women had an intense weekend getting know diesel engines inside and out, thanks to instructor Larry Berlin. In this women-only seminar, women with various levels of knowledge and experience supported one another as they worked their way through foreign tools, language and understanding of the diesel engine.

Mack Boring Women-only Diesel Engine Seminar

April 4^th-5^th, 2009

Getting to Know Your Diesel Engine: Mack Boring Workshop Leads the Way

As any boater knows, having a well-maintained engine not only gives peace of mind while boating but can be a critical factor in an on-the-water emergency. So when women, especially sailors, wonder what are the critical parts of a diesel engine, how do they work together and how should they be maintained, one weekend at the Mack Boring Technical Center in Union, NJ, provided the answers.

Picture courtesy of participant Joan Thayer

The women’s diesel engine seminar, sponsored by the National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA), combined practical classroom/workbook time and hands-on applied engine time where the women got to physically work on an engine similar to the one in their boat. Participants for this class came from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and as far away as McLean, VA.

“I used to assume you just turn the engine on and it goes,” said one participant. After a harrowing experience alone on her local waterway, she decided to take a class which would help her avoid getting into this situation again.

Picture courtesy of participant Joan Thayer

The April 4-5 seminar covered engine lubrication, the electrical and cooling systems, how to service and maintain your engine, winterizing, and more. The types of tools needed to repair an engine were also covered, as well as how to access your engine and fuel systems, plus understanding your service manual. The class was geared toward those who haven’t had much prior experience with diesel engines and there was plenty of time for questions and answers.

“My husband took this course 10 years ago and he has since said it was the best investment we’ve ever made! So now, I’m taking it,” said Leslie Owen, from Pennsylvania.

Joan Thayer, president of NWSA and a longtime sailor, who also attended the seminar, said, “I always like to be prepared”. Preparation, attendees found out, is key to a successful cruise, and that preparedness starts well before you leave the dock. Another student, Monica Holmes from Brooklyn, said, “I want to know what they’re doing when they service my engine.”

Instructor Larry Berlin has been teaching diesel workshops at Mack Boring since 1974. When I asked Berlin what the difference is between teaching women and teaching men, he replied with a smile, “The men don’t listen.”

If you are interested in taking a women’s-only diesel engine course next year, contact NWSA to see when another one is planned.

— By Colleen Halverson
BoatUS

Pictures courtesy of Colleen Halverson

NWSA Board Member, Susan Epstein, receives the C.R.E.W award from US SAILING at the Annual General Meeting of US SAILING in League City, Texas, in October. This award recognizes a staff member of volunteer who has the "can do" attitude. It is through clear expectations, mutual respect, and a commitment to collaboration that US SAILING volunteers and staff achieve peak performance in all efforts. Susan has been involved with US SAILING in a number of volunteer positions for many years. We are pleased that Susan shares some of her "can do" spirit with getting more women involved in sailing.