Women in Boating News

24th Annual SCYA Women's Sailing Convention February 2, 2013
The Southern California Yachting Association, held its 24th Annual Women’s Sailing Convention on Saturday, February 2, 2013 at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, Corona del Mar, CA.

BoatUS was proud to sponsor this full day event with a multi-workshop format. Attendees selected a combination workshops in areas that best fits their interest and ability from beginner to expert. All of the workshops were presented by top women sailors, many USCG Licensed Captains.

The evening keynote speaker was two time America’s Cup veteran and two time Volvo Ocean Race, world-class sailor Katie Pettibone. She provided training in Arabian Peninsula, where the Omani government was promoting the Sail Arabia race to begin training local crews (including women) to participate in world sailing events. Katie was also among an international crew on Farr 30’s sailing through the Straits of Hormuz.

This convention is known for its networking opportunities and a positive rewarding boating experience. Information at www.scya.org and www.WomensSailingConvention.com. The fee included workshops, breakfast, lunch, dinner, souvenirs and handouts. Read more...

Elaine Dickinson awarded 2012 Leadership in Women's Sailing Award June 2, 2012
Elaine Dickinson was honored with the Annual National Women’s Sailing Association/BoatUS 2012 Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award at the 11th Women’s Sailing Conference held in Marblehead MA and hosted by the Corinthian Yacht Club. This award is given to an individual who had built up a record of achievement in inspiring, educating, and enriching the lives of women through sailing. Dickinson learned to sail at age 25 by taking an Outward Bound course and immersed herself in the world of boating, both personally and professionally. Read more...

2012 Women’s Sailing Conference in Massachusetts — June 2, 2012
BoatUS sponsored the annual National Women’s Sailing Association's Women's Sailing Conference. The Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, Massachusetts, hosted a day full of workshops and networking. The participants enjoyed the keynote speaker, Teresa Carey, a US Coast Guard licensed captain, writer and educator. Read more about her on her website http://teresacarey.com, and her blog titled: Sailing Simplicity and the Pursuit of Happiness at http://www.sailingsimplicity.com.

Anne Tunnicliffe (USA) and Team Maclaren win 2011 Santa Maria Cup
Annapolis, MD – October 1, 2011 - Anna Tunnicliffe (Team Maclaren - USA- Ranked #1) took four exciting flights to win the 21st Santa Maria Cup Women's International Match Racing Championoship today. Second place went to Julie Bossard (France) and third place to Becca Dellenbaugh (USA). There were consistently strong winds on this final day of the Championship accompanied by choppy water. In the third flight of the final, Elodie Fauve of Team Bossard fell overboard and quickly recovered but with the strong winds it meant a chilling finish. Team Ferris-Choat (Canada) finished fourth, Team Baylis (USA) was fifth, Team Lehtinen (Finland) was sixth, Team Ruhlman (USA) was seventh and Team Silve (Argentina) was eighth. Read more...

Women’s Sailing Convention in California - February 5, 2011.
The 22nd Annual Southern California Yachting Association’s (SCYA) Women’s Sailing Convention will be February 5, 2011 at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, Corona del Mar, CA. With BoatUS as primary sponsor, the workshops are presented by top women sailors, many of whom are USCG Licensed Captains. Land-based and on-the-water topics The featured speaker will be Janna Cawrse Esarey (of Seattle), author of The Motion of the Ocean: 1 Small Boat, 2 Average Lovers, and a Woman’s Search for the Meaning of Wife. Janna recounts her 21⁄2 years at sea with wry humor, keen observations, and descriptions vivid enough to satisfy the most seasoned traveler. The $170 convention fee includes workshops, breakfast, lunch, dinner, souvenir and handouts. Pre-register after December 20 at www.SCYA.org or by contacting Gail Hine at Hine@SCYA.org or 951-677-8121. The SCYA supports local, regional, national and international yachting competition and education.

Islamorada, FL Fishing Seminar - Florida Saltwater University - November 9 - 11, 2012
Women will gather for an exciting weekend of educational and hands-on fishing activities, habitat conservation and to meet other female anglers. The seminar provides an opportunity for the ladies to use their newly-acquired techniques to fish inshore or offshore on their choice of a group boat, flats boat or sportfishing boat.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will educate seminar participants on the importance of marine conservation by showing the habits that can be developed so each person can make a difference, no matter where they fish. Women will also learn safe hook removal, release techniques and more. For more information, visit the "Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" website.

Female Skipper Minds the Sea - December 2009
PHILADELPHIA - December 2nd, 2009 - Capt. Meredith Austin is the first female commander of the U.S. Coast Guard of the Delaware Bay based in Philadelphia.Capt. Austin, on the job since June, is responsible for everything that happens on water between Harrisburg and 200 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, from the Shark River near Asbury Park to Cape May, N.J., and all of Delaware. Read more...

Susan Epstein Receives US SAILING C.R.E.W. Award - October 2009
US SAILING board of directors member and long-time volunteer Susan Epstein (Sharon, Mass.) was presented with US SAILING's C.R.E.W. Award at the Annual General Meeting in League City, Texas in October. Only through clear expectations, mutual respect, and a commitment to collaboration can US SAILING volunteers and staff achieve peak performance in all efforts. US SAILING's C.R.E.W. Award recognizes a person annually with a "can do" attitude, collaborative spirit, and winning personality. Susan is also on the board of National Women's Sailing Association and an instructor at the annual Women's Sailing Conference in Marblehead, sponsored by BoatU.S.

Teen Sailor Heads Off Against Sea of Doubters - October 2009
TEEN sailor Jessica Watson left the marina yesterday to cheers of ''hip, hip hooray'' aboard her pink yacht, beginning her attempt to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the world. She pulled out of Middle Harbour Yacht Club at high tide about 9am, and was escorted by NSW Maritime boats to the Heads. Jessica's family also followed. Read more...

Betsy Alison Honored With Gay S. Lynn Memorial Trophy - October 2009
LEAGUE CITY, Texas (October 23, 2009) – Friday night was special for several key contributors to the sport of sailing at US SAILING’s Annual General Meeting Awards Dinner. US SAILING presented awards to those who made an extraordinary impact in the areas of sailing education, race management, and disabled sailing. US SAILING’s Gay S. Lynn Memorial Trophy -- Betsy Alison, Head coach of the US Disabled Sailing Team AlphaGraphics, Betsy Alison, was awarded the Gay S. Lynn Memorial Trophy award for her outstanding contribution to sailors with disabilities. Read more...

Top Women in American Boating - BoatUS Magazine - May/June 2009 Issue
BoatUS Magazine highlights women boaters at the peak of their professions. Read about female boaters and their leadership roles in all aspects of the sport including sailing, powerboating, racing, sportfishing, politics, wakeboarding and boat manufacturing. Read more...

The Boat Lovers' Guide to Marine Education Programs
This BoatUS Magazine exclusive round-up of colleges, written specifically for students, presents the top marine programs and related extracurricular boating activities in America. The first of it's kind, use it with our extensive online database of links to find inspration, and the right school for you. Also separate article about Marine Trade Schools. Database continually updated. Read more...

Thank You Members, for participation in our Women in Boating Survey - February 2009
Thank you for your participation in our Women in Boating survey. We had over 1400 members respond to the February 2009 survey and your input has been valuable in creating a more streamlined and interactive site for female members. Check out our new additions such as the Captains Page, a new Fishing page, DIY tips and Online Safety Course information from our BoatUS Foundation. For results of the survey, click here.

Anna Tunnicliffe of U.S. Wins Gold Medal in Laser Radial - August 2008
Qingdao, China (August 19, 2008) – Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, Fla.) finished in second place in today’s Laser Radial medal race to claim gold at her first Olympic Games. Having never won a race in the eight-day series, Tunnicliffe sailed with consistency to win by the tightest of margins. Click here for complete article.

West Coast Wave Warrior BoatUS Magazine - May/June 2005
They don't call it Cape Disappointment for nothing. Some of the foggiest, roughest coastline in the continental U.S. has sent hundreds of vessels to the bottom with its huge seas, treacherous river bars and rocky shores. But there is no disappointment in at least one of the elite Coast Guardsmen that patrol these often inhospitable waters. Petty Officer First Class Beth Slade does not want to work anywhere else. Click here for complete article.

Women Towing the Line - BoatUS Magazine - July/August 2003
They work as mother-daughter teams, husbands and wives and include a handful of singles, but boaters needing assistance on the water probably don’t care who comes to their aid when they’re in a jam. Just don’t be surprised this summer when the smiling face behind the helm of that red towboat is a female captain.Click here for complete article.

Cracking the Teak Ceiling - BoatUS Magazine - May/June 2001
It’s all the mermaids’ fault. According to marine folklore experts, that’s why, for centuries, women weren’t welcome on most ships. Seamen, a superstitious lot to begin with, believed the mesmerizing powers of women brought on high winds and dead calm... although there are no recorded instances of both occurring at the same time. Click here for complete article.

Myth Busters: Sunscreen Fact and Fiction - BoatUS Magazine - July/August 2000
Boaters are used to seeing statistics about themselves — the number of registered boats, annual accidents and the like. But one statistic quite pertinent to boaters eludes most of us , the chances of becoming a skin cancer patient. Over 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year and skin cancer is the most common cancer among men over 50, more common than prostate, colon or lung cancer. Click here for complete article.

The Dream by Mel Neale
Tom popped the first big question over 35 years ago. After 15 years of marriage, I popped the second. By that time we had made the decision to have a family and to live aboard a sailboat and both these goals were accomplished. So, “Will you take us cruising now?” seemed the right question to me. Click here for complete article.

Local Kowledge
Generations Now and Then For those of us who measure time in terms of when we’re next going boating, we’re also prone to relating to just about anything to the boating experience. Click here for complete article.

Getting Yourself Safely Home: Using the Radio to Get Help
If you are not often the primary operator of your boat, are you prepared to take control in an emergency? Any skipper can become incapacitated by sudden illness ranging from poisoning to heart attack. Click here for complete article.