Carol Baker, Winner of OWSA's 2023 Crystal Sail Award

Carol Baker, Winner of OWSA's 2023 Crystal Sail Award

"The Crystal Sail is The Sharon Sites Adams Award for OWSA volunteers who are The Wind In Our Sails.

Sharon gifted the crystal glass sculpture to us for this purpose.  Sharon was deemed an Honorary Lifetime OWSA Member because she is a local hero: the first woman to solo sail from Hawaii to San Diego in 1965 and in 1969 the first woman to solo sail from Japan to California.

Carol Baker has contributed to OWSA in many meaningful ways. She used her creativity to create the Yard-Arm Sale of gently used sailing gear for the last two picnics, raising over $700.

She was the initiator of the Raffle Fundraiser, a meeting that was held in April featuring items from local vendors, supporters, and donations for over $500.

Carol wrote a grant application to the Northwest Marine Trade Association in their Grow Boating Grant program and won a $1000 award paid to OWSA. As Marketing Director, she honed her writing skills with an article published in 48 Degrees North Sailing magazine depicting the initial flotilla (with OWSA skippers) partnering with San Juan Sailing to the Gulf Islands last year. 

Carol has served on the Board as Education Director (2020 and 2021) and additionally as Marketing/ Fundraising/ Merchandise Director (2022 and 2023). She has been the instructor for numerous education classes and lead the single-handed sailing class. She has designed the OWSAt-shirts for the last three years.

Carol skippers her boat Nika out of Olympia and invites her OWSA sisters for a sail any time. She is very willing to lend her sailing expertise to repairing OWSA fleet boats and helping other OWSAsailors with their sailing needs.

Congratulations, Carol, and thanks for all that you contribute!