NWSA Through the Years

IN THE BEGINNING . . .

Doris Colgate, former Owner and President of Offshore Sailing School, founded the National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) in 1990.  The mission of the association then and now is to enhance the lives of women and girls through education and access to sailing!

In 1996 Doris and the NWSA board founded the not-for-profit Women’s Sailing Foundation (WSF) with one of its core missions to continue the AdventureSail program for at-risk girls.  And in 1999 they established the Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award with the support of BoatUS. 

Ten years after founding and guiding NWSA/WSF Doris turned leadership over to an exemplary board of knowledgeable, dedicated women sailors.  Ever since, NWSA/WSF has developed new programs, strengthened others and continued to lead in fulfilling its mission to enhance the lives of women and girls through sailing!

NWSA was innovative from the start, organizing and continuing programs to enhance the lives of women and girls through sailing:

•    AdventureSail programs for at-risk girls at sailing centers and yacht clubs around the country,
•    Hands-on women-only Learn to Sail weeks, 
•    Monthly newsletter called Take The Helm,
•    Video with board members talking about their love of sailing for live presentations,
•    Resource booklet evaluating boat products for women,
•    Diesel engine workshops at diesel manufacturing plants,
•    Weekend Take The Helm programs at all-sail shows with hundreds attending:

• Panel discussions about aspect of sailing experienced by women alone and with families
• Special racing seminars
• Hands-on diesel and winch-repair workshops
• Navigation and other subjects taught by experts
• Noted women keynote speakers
•  Women-only tours of select sailboats
•  Evening cocktail and dinner gatherings with awards presented!