NWSA Women's Sailing Conference

HOW A 25-YEAR TRADITION EVOLVED TO REACH THOUSANDS

NWSA Conference Evolution

From a local gathering to a more accessible, inclusive annual tradition

The National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) Conference began in 1989 at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and quickly became a reliable annual gathering for women sailors. Over time, it grew into a trusted space for learning, connection, and leadership on the water. Its strongest test came when external forces demanded rapid change—ultimately expanding access and impact.

The Pandemic Pivot

In 2020, the pandemic upended in-person plans and forced organizers to reimagine the conference in a virtual format. The shift was urgent, but the goal was clear: protect a tradition that many sailors counted on year after year. At a moment of isolation and uncertainty, preserving the annual gathering mattered more than ever. Going online ensured the community could still learn together, share hard-won experience, and stay connected.

Breakthrough moment

June 6, 2020: For the first time, women from around the nation—and world—had access to a quality On-Line Expo (OLÉ), designed for women sailors and presented by women sailors. It marked a breakthrough in reach, representation, and shared expertise.

Because the two-day OLÉ experience wasn’t constrained by club capacity, it scaled far beyond the traditional format. It reached about four thousand attendees, demonstrating both the demand for this kind of programming and the power of a more accessible model.

Building on Success

OLÉ also helped elevate conversations about diversity in sailing—reaching beyond gender to consider broader inclusion and belonging. That momentum set NWSA on course for the 2021 Chicago conference with a clearer commitment to expanding who feels welcomed in the sport.

In September 2021, NWSA drew on more than 20 years of experience to design a resilient hybrid model, combining a limited-participation outdoor event with robust online content. This approach protected the in-person energy while keeping the door open to sailors who couldn’t travel or preferred to participate remotely. It attracted the most diverse audience the conference had ever reached. The result reinforced a lasting lesson: inclusion and innovation can move forward together.

---

Looking Forward

The conference continues to point toward broader access, stronger community, and deeper inclusion. NWSA remains committed to promoting diversity in sailing in ways that welcome and uplift all women sailors—wherever they are and however they choose to participate.

Over the past few years, NWSA has held conferences in Newport, RI, New Orleans, LA, St. Petersburg, FL, and Long Beach, CA. In 2025, NWSA held their first conference in a university setting at USF, St. Pete—a model that offers many resources for a successful conference.

This year, NWSA will build on the university model by holding the conference at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. It’s an exciting next step—one that signals continued growth in reach, resources, and community for the years ahead.