Education
The OWSA Sailing Journey: How a Member Grows With Us
A spiral of skill building, leadership, and community reciprocity
First Loop - Entry & Orientation
When a new member joins OWSA, she enters a welcoming circle of women and non-binary sailors learning together.
- Wednesday Night Sail introduces her to the water, the fleet, volunteer skippers, and OWSA culture
- Sailing Basics Course gives her structured foundations: vocabulary, safety, teamwork, and hands-on practice
This first loop is all about comfort, confidence, and connection.
Second Loop - Skill Building & Exploration
Now she's ready to explore the many directions sailing can take her. This loop is about skill development, finding her interests, and deepening technical knowledge.
- BOAST (Boat Owner and Skipper Training)
- Cruising Opportunities
- Navigation Courses
- Race Clinic
- Specialty Workshops
She learns new roles on the boat, expands her seamanship knowledge, and starts to see herself as a capable sailor in a community of mentors.
Third Loop - Leadership, Skippering & Long-Term Connection
As she spirals outward into advanced development, she steps into leadership and self-reliance.
- First Mate Program
- ASA 103/104 Study Groups for advanced certifications
- Becoming an OWSA Skipper on our fleet
- Buying her own boat and returning to OWSA to support other women and find crew
This loop represents a full-circle moment. Members who reach this stage often return to earlier parts of the spiral with a new role: teacher, mentor, skipper, or community anchor. They may start skippering Wednesday Night Sail, leading study groups, offering cruising opportunities, or inviting newer members aboard their own vessels.
If you're already an OWSA member, go to Book Events and register now for classes that are available for registration.
To become a member, sign up here.
