What an awesome day we had at the third annual Women’s Sailing Seminar, presented by Judy Dickerson and the Seattle Women’s Sailing Association in February. SSSS members Tryna Norberg, Linda Hargreaves and myself attended a full day, 0830- 1800 hr., of great tales of daring do and nautical wizardry, all achieved by outstanding women sailors. A total of twelve mini-sessions, 50- 60 minutes, were offered on a wide range of subjects from, just getting started with basic sailing and knots, to weather, navigation, radar, short handed safety and diesel engine maintenance. Attendees were both stimulated and challenged and it left me wishing there were more hours in the day so each presenter could go on talking for another hour, especially the diesel mechanic!
One of the more famous speakers was Karen Thorndike, the first U.S. woman to circumnavigate the world alone. We also had the pleasure to hear Carol Hasse, owner of Port Townsend Sails, “recognized as one if the finest cruising sailmakers in the world”, and Lynn H Reister, marine surveyor now, but former sail instructor for the USCG and the schooner Adventuress. Other speakers included a doctor, fitness on board instructor, book authors, and a hurricane survivor. Oh the stories they can tell! I am still looking forward to reading Tami Oldham Ashcraft’s book Red Sky At Mourning her story of courage and survival after a hurricane, alone at sea. Linda tells me she blew through her copy ... could not put it down till it was done.
A great wealth of information and experience was there among the folks associated with SWSA. Thankfully we were provided with a full notebook of the info for all the sessions, so when we were forced to choose between two tempting speakers, we at least have the others handouts to read through later.
That rainy day spent indoors at Seattle Community College was one I will be remembering for a while. Sure beats drifting around in a foggy drizzle on one of those winter race days. I will not hesitate to go again next year; maybe they will add some racing tips next time.
Dee Saller, Dark Star