Women-Only Environment Creates Learning, Networking Opportunities

PORT TOWNSEND, WA, June 17, 2008 -- Whether one is new to sailing or looking to sharpen racing starts or navigation skills, the inaugural Women's Sailing Conference kicks off at the Port Townsend Yacht Club in Port Townsend, WA on Saturday, August 2. The conference, sponsored by BoatUS, is one of three regional events held for women sailors, with others held annually in Marblehead, MA and Marina del Rey, CA. The all-day sailing workshops specifically for women are organized by the National Women's Sailing Association.

Topics for the day-long Port Townsend event include docking and mooring techniques, spinnakers, suddenly single-handed, heavy weather sailing, GPS charting, taking the helm, as well as recovering crew overboard, tacking & gybing and more.

The conference includes continental breakfast, lunch with a guest speaker Nancy Erley, handouts and raffle prizes. Erley, a world-class navigator, will speak on “Women Sailing Around the World” and share her experiences from her two circumnavigations aboard her 38-foot sailboat, Tethys. A delivery captain and founder of Tethys Offshore Sailing, Erley teaches the skills to take a small boat across oceans and is an instructor for the International Sail and Power Association. She also holds a USCG 50-ton Master of Oceans license and is the 2006 honoree of the Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award.

"For women new to boating this is a fun, relaxed training opportunity," said Elaine Dickinson, who heads the women’s outreach effort for BoatUS. “Even seasoned sailors learn something new and have a great time, too.”

The cost is $100 for NWSA members and $130 for non-members.  The event is limited to 50 the first year and is expected to sell out. For details or to register go to http://www.WomenSailing.org or call Linda Newland at 360-379-1582.

BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 650,000 members with a wide array of consumer services. The organization also offers an informational women's boating Web site at http://www.BoatUS.com/women