(R to L) Kathy Sinnett accepting 2025 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award from Debby Grimm, President, National Women's Sailing Association. (credit: Jan Pehrson)
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 9, 2024 – Since 1999, the BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award has recognized extraordinary women who have inspired, educated and enriched the lives of women through sailing. This year’s honoree, Kathy Sinnett of Daytona Beach, Florida, continues the tradition in epitomizing the exceptional skill, leadership, and dedication to promoting opportunities for women to embrace the joy and challenge of the sport of sailing. Sinnett accepted the award Saturday at the 2025 National Women’s Sailing Association Conference presented by American Sailing in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Sinnett grew up on the water, first racing Snipes with her father, then teaching and racing at the University of Wisconsin. Her career decision to move to Alaska did not tamp down her desire to sail. “Who cares if the water is frozen? I’m from Wisconsin,” she offers as she shares her sailing adventures aboard her DN iceboat up the Kuskokwim River.

After accepting a position as a public health nurse in Ketchikan, Alaska, Sinnet found a spot on an all-women’s keelboat on which she shared her knowledge while honing her leadership in Alaska’s wet, cold and challenging environment.

Throughout the years moving coast to coast as a U.S. Coast Guard spouse, Sinnet has shown leadership by creating opportunities for connection with other women through sailing and racing on dinghies, keelboats and offshore boats. She spearheaded the long-running Ideal Women Sailing Program at the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club (SHYC) in Stonington, Connecticut, and the new group, Windward Women at Halifax Sailing Association in Daytona Beach, Florida. Through a networking event she organized, Sinnet recruited Windward Women and the St. Augustine Sailing Sisters to join and strengthen the Florida Women’s Sailing Association.

In 2019, Sinnett received the Tucker and Sandy Bragdon Trophy for her substantial contributions to SHYC’s sailing programs, and in 2020, she was presented with the George Shuck Award for her leadership at the club. She currently holds a position on the leadership team of the Halifax Sailing Association.

“We grow women’s competence and confidence on the water in all the groups while strengthening connections between us,” Sinnet said proudly. “Our focus is not only on sailing but also on environmental issues and giving back to our community.”

NWSA President Debby Grimm remarked, “Kathy has a positive and encouraging nature to lead with enthusiasm while teaching . Her ‘can-do’ attitude makes others ask how to be involved.”

“We congratulate Kathy for this well-deserved honor,” said BoatUS Vice President Heather Lougheed. “BoatUS is proud to partner with NWSA to get the word out to aspiring women sailors that this healthy lifetime sport can be rewarding and life-enriching.”

Visit WomenSailing.org to celebrate the accomplishments of past awardees.

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Kathy Sinnett of Daytona Beach, Florida, honored with 2025 @BoatUS /NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award for creating opportunities for women to learn and connect through sailing  https://bit.ly/4kwvBXe @womensail #sailing #womensailing #womensailingteam #boatclub #yachtclub #daytonabeach #daytona #staugustine #florida #boatus

About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):

Celebrating more than 55 years, BoatUS is the nation’s largest advocacy, services and safety group with more than 725,000 dues-paying members. BoatUS is the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill, fighting for their rights. The TowBoatUS^® fleet is available 24/7 to assist our members on the water when boats break down or run aground with some 600 vessels and 300-plus locations across North America, bringing our members safely back to the launch ramp, marina or dock. On the road, we are The Boat Owners Auto Club™, helping ensure roadside trailer and tow vehicle breakdowns won’t slow you down. BoatUS offers GEICO boat insurance policies that give boat owners affordable, specialized coverage and the superior service they need. Award-winning BoatUS Magazine is the largest circulation recreational marine publication in the U.S. with engaging content that speaks to the passion for boat ownership, while our 501(c)(3) nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers the nation’s only free online boating safety course and many other programs that keep boaters safe and our waters clean. Visit BoatUS.com.

About National Women’s Sailing Association:

Founded in 1990 by Hall of Fame sailor Doris Colgate, the National Women’s Sailing Association is a program of the Women’s Sailing Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the U.S. It maintains the mission of providing education, programming and support for women sailors of all ages. The organization seeks to help women find community and mentorship among their peers, as well as create leadership and education opportunities. Through membership, donations and sponsorship, they continue to maintain AdventureSail®, a program designed for girls who wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to discover the joys of sailing, the Learn to Sail Youth Sailing Scholarship, the Sue Corl Sailing Scholarship and the NWSA/BoatUS Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award. For more information visit womensailing.org.