SCYA/NWSA Conference
March 20-22 • Long Beach, CA
Conference at a Glance
Conference Registration Closes March 15, 2025
General Conference Info
- Two days of classes with 24 topics to choose from, including four new curated tracks with Certificates of Completion: Take the Helm for novices, Advancing Leadership in Racing, Race Committee, and Advanced Sail Trim + mini-regatta!
- Long Beach Women's Sailing Association will host two fun, social gatherings:
- Friday night reception at a local, women-owned sports bar, WatchMe! Sports Bar
- Saturday night BBQ at Seal Beach Yacht Club (Ticketed Event)
- NWSA AdventureSail fundraiser and Mustang Survival Fashion Show at Sunday Lunch
- Sunday evening awards ceremony at Long Beach Yacht Club (Ticketed Event)
While we do not anticipate foul weather, inclement weather is out of the control of conference organizers. In the event that weather prohibits certain outdoor or on-the-water activities, in-door session will be substituted. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds due to inclement of weather.
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
Early Registration $450: January 1, 2026 through January 15, 2026
Regular Registration $500: January 16, 2026 through February 14, 2026
Late Registration $575: February 15, 2026 through March 15, 2026
INSTALLMENT PAYMENT POLICY
We are offering a two-payment installment plan for conference registration as follows:
Installment payment #1: $225 due no later than January 4, 2026.
Installment payment #2: $225 due no later than February 14, 2026.
NO REFUNDS available for the two-payment installment option.
NWSA Merchandise Need to know what is going to be sold at the conference. Also need pics and pricing
The conference committee has made a conscious decision to limit single use water bottles. We will be offering reusable water bottles for sale in case you forget yours.
Schedule at a Glance
Evening Social and Pre-Registration Check-in: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Reception at a local, women-owned sports bar, WatchMe! Sports Bar
You will be responsible for your own food and drink.
All events are held at the Long Beach Yacht Club, unless otherwise specified.
7:45am - 8:15am Registrants and Instructors Check-in, Breakfast - Regatta Room
8:20am - 8:50am am Opening Remarks - Regatta Room
9:00am - 12:00pm On Water Session 1
9:00am - 10:15am On Land Sessions 1
10:30am - 11:45pm On Land Sessions 2
12:00pm - 1:15pm Lunch Pool Side
1:30pm - 4:30pm On Water Sessions 2
1:30pm - 2:45pm On Land Sessions 3
3:00pm - 4:15pm On Land Sessions 4
4:30pm - 6:30pm Networking Social Hour Outdoor Area 1
You will be responsible for your own food and drink. Credit card only.
7:00pm - 8:30pm Conference Dinner Not included in conference registration- Seal Beach Yacht Club
Click here for more details.
All events are held at the Long Beach Yacht Club, unless otherwise specified.
7:45am - 8:15am Registrants and Instructors Check-in, Breakfast - Regatta Room
8:20am - 8:50am am Networking - Regatta Room
9:00am - 12pm On Water Session 1
9:00am - 10:15am On Land Sessions 1
10:30am - 11:45pm On Land Sessions 2
12:00pm - 1:15pm Lunch Mustang Fashion show and NWSA AdventureSail Fundraiser Pool Side
1:30pm - 4:30pm On Water Sessions 2
1:30pm - 2:45pm On Land Sessions 3
3:00pm - 4:15pm On Land Sessions 4
4:30pm - 6:30pm Social Hour/Certificates/Trophies Outdoor Area #1
You will be responsible for your own food and drink. Credit card only.
7:00pm - 8:30pm Closing Ceremony Not included in conference Registration Need name of room
Click here for more details.
Classes at a Glance
Asymmetrical Spinnaker Handling - On Water Skills
Avoiding Mishaps and Mayhem - On Water Skills
Beginning Sailing - Take the Helm®
Boat Buying and Ownership
Boat Systems
Charting - Beginning Navigation
Crew Overboard Recovery and Life Jacket Activation - On Water Class
Cruising Comfortably
Docking - Intermediate/Advanced - On Water Class
Electrical and Battery Systems
Emergency Response Training Aboard (aka Stop that Leak) - Hands-on
Fiberglass and Gelcoat Repairs
First Aid, Medical Emergencies Onboard
Following the Blue Highway to Paradise in the Bahamas
Heavy Weather from Daysailing to Passagemaking
Introduction to Aqua Map - Hands-On
Life Raft Deployment - Waterside
Outboard Engine Maintenance
Piloting: Charting a course
Prepare for the US Sailing Keelboat Instructor Certification- On Water Skills
Racing Across An Ocean and The Delivery Back
Sail Trim - On Water Class
Stress Free Reefing - On Water Class
Symmetrical Spinnaker Handling - On Water Skills
Wanna Race?
Wind Strategy on the Race Course
Click here for more details.
Tell Your Sailing Story
Weather on the Water
Weekend Cruising in Tampa Bay
Click here for more details.
Accommodations
LOCAL ACCOMODATIONS:
Long Beach, CA has several options for accommodations. A few nearby hotels are listed below—check Google as there are more options. We recommend checking VRBO and Airbnb as well.
The Pacific Inn
Hampton Inn and Suites
The Bellmont Shore Inn
Ayres Hotel Seal Beach - Cypress
TRANSPORTATION
While there is public transportation, you may find driving or using Uber/Lyft more convenient. Free public parking is available at Long Beach Yacht Club, the primary conference venue. Free parking is available at Seal Beach Yacht club.
Public Transportation
Long Beach Transit
VISITING BY BOAT
To get a mooring or slip in Long Beach harbors (Alamitos Bay, Shoreline, Rainbow), you must contact the
City of Long Beach Marine Bureau directly, especially for short-term guest stays, booking up to 30 days ahead for guest slips and providing insurance/registration. We recommend bringing a dinghy for greater ease getting around the harbor.
Yacht club members may enjoy reciprocal privileges at other clubs in the harbor. Here's a list of local clubs and links to their visitor information pages:
Shoreline Yacht Club
Alamitos Bay Yacht Club
Seal Beach Yacht Club
Long Beach Yacht Club
Need info for this area
- Friday evening social gathering at WatchMe! Sports Bar
- Saturday breakfast and lunch at conference
- Saturday dinner tickets at Seal Beach Yacht Club available for $XX
- Sunday breakfast and lunch at conference
- Sunday dinner tickets at St Petersburg Yacht Club available for $XX
Support the Conference
We are so grateful for the continued support of conference sponsors. Each year we are able to offer more opportunities for companies, organizations, brands and individuals to reach a targeted audience of women sailing enthusiasts. See our 2026 list of Sponsor Benefits on our conference support information section by clicking here.
The Women's Sailing Foundation will hold an NWSA AdventureSail and Scholarship Fundraiser on Saturday. Silent Auction and Raffle items of all nautical interest are welcome such as art, jewelry, sailing vacations, sailing school certificates, nautical gear, books and more. Donor names will be acknowledged on the conference website.
Have an item to donate to help raise funds at our raffle or silent auction? You may click the here to get to the donor form.
Our conference attendees come from across the nation to be inspired by the expertise, wisdom and experience of our volunteer instructors and special interest presenters.
Please, consider putting forth your ideas and skills to participate in our next conference.
Click here for more info.
Thank You to Our 2026 Conference Sponsors
Master Sponsor
Admiral Sponsors
Skipper Sponsors
Crew Sponsors
Deck Sponsors
2026 In-Kind Conference Supporters
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