NWSA Conference Presented by American Sailing
March 20-22 • Long Beach, CA
Conference at a Glance
Conference Registration Closes March ????
General Conference Info
- At our next Exec Meeting we will need to discuss/decide who should be the primary keynote for 2026. I think Marie would be a good choice if she is available. Open to suggestions. In addition, if Gail is up to it, I think she should also say a few words too.
- Two days of classes with 24 topics to choose from, including four new tracks with Certificates of Completion: Take the Helm for beginners, Advanced Sailing Leadership, 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, https://www.watchmesportsbar.com/
- Saturday night BBQ at Seal Beach Yacht Club (separate registration)
- AdventureSail fundraiser and Mustang Fashion Show
- Sunday evening Awards Dinner at Long Beach Yacht Club (separate registration)
- Free public parking available at Long Beach Yacht Club
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 DATES
Early Registration $450: December 22, 2025 through January 4, 2026
Regular Registration $500: January 5, 2026 through February 14, 2026
Late Registration $575: February 15, 2026 through March 15, 2026
I thought we were going to have member and non-member pricing.
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.
Saves $25 off regular registration fee.
NO REFUNDS available for the two-payment installment option.
NWSA Merchandise
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
8:15 am - 9:00 am Registrants and Instructors Check-in, Breakfast
9:00 am - 9:20 am Opening Remarks
9:30 am - 12:15pm On Water Session 1
9:30 am - 10:45 am On Land Sessions 1
11:00 am - 12:15pm On Land Sessions 2
12:30 pm - 1:50pm 2025 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award Announcement Luncheon and Special Guests
2:00 pm - 4:45 pm On Water Sessions 2
2:00 pm - 3:15 pm On Land Sessions 3
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm On Land Sessions 4
5:15 pm - 6:00 pm WSAs Leadership Forum
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm AdventureSail Social with Founder Doris Colgate, Silent Auction and Raffle Fundraiser
Click here for more details.
Classes at a Glance
Diesel Engine Maintenance - Female Lead
How to Drive a Dinghy - On Water Class
Tour of Mastry Engine Center and Island Packet Yacht Factory
Social gathering with Women Who Sail Tampa Bay
Click here for more detials.
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.
Accommodiations
LOCAL ACCOMODATION
Long Beach, CA has several options for accommodations. A few of the 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 transpiration, you may find driving or using Uber/Lyft more convenient. Free public parking is available at Long Beach Yacht Club, the primary conference venue.
Visit Long Beach — 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
- Friday lunch and tour tickets available for sale
- Friday evening social gathering with Women Who’s Sail Tampa Bay
- Saturday, breakfast, lunch, snacks and evening event heavy hors d’Oeuvres
- Sunday continental breakfast for dorm residents
- Sunday brunch tickets at St Petersburg Yacht Club are available for $30
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 2025 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 evening. 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.
All Saturday registrants are invited to attend this fundraiser and welcome our evening Keynote Speaker, Doris Colgate, Founder of NWSA and AdventureSail. Refreshments and music will be enjoyed.
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
Captain Sponsors
Skipper Sponsors
Crew Sponsors
Deck Sponsors
2026 In-Kind Conference Supporters
2026 Silent Auction and Raffle Fundraiser Donors
B. Graphic Promos * Coastal Art by Jillian * Elite Island Resorts
Foxtail Coffee Co. & Kelly's Ice Cream * GoDu * Island Computer Consulting * Kohen Educational Services
LouiseTaylorWriter.com * Louisiana Sailing School, LLC * Mustang Survival * Mantus Anchors
Offshore Sailing School * Ramona Angelo-Author and Therapeutic Coach * Speed & Smarts
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