Midwest Women's Sailing Conference

05/11/2026

There are just 5 days left until the conference - and that means only 5 days left to bid on this special auction item from Larsen Marine!

You do not have to be present at the conference to win this item, so share with anyone who may be interested in this silent auction item.
This is truly an amazing offer - whether you want to use it for pre-race prep, or just head to Waukegan for a weekend with a bottom wash!

Ahoy sailors!! Only 13 days to go until the conference! The silent auction is always a big part of the conference and this year we have one item that is so special we are putting it online ahead of the conference to ensure everyone is aware of it! Below are details about it and a link to it as well.

Larsen Marine in Waukegan, IL has shown its support for the sailing community by donating 2 gift certificates for haul out, power bottom wash, and launch. This is perfect for a boat doing the Mac or the Hook!!

Here's the fine print:
Though intended for pre-Mac race, the service is good to July 31, 2026. You could use it because you just want a mid-season wash. Boat can be up to 48' and they warn that, with lake levels going up and down, if your draft is more than 10' you might not make it to the travel lift (not their fault). You must call the service department and make a reservation. Since other Mac boats will doing same, they suggest you call three weeks ahead. Reservations have times and, if you choose the last slot of the day, you might not get re-launched til next morning.

The retail value of this service for a 40' boat is $1405. Waukegan is a great stop before Chicago for boats doing the Mac or the Hook. Get last provisioning at the grocery (2.9 miles away), pick up or swap crew, or visit Chicago on the METRA (station 0.4 miles from marina).

You are bidding on ONE certificate. There are two certificates available.

https://midwestwomenssailing.betterworld.org/auctions/2026-mwsc-special-auction

05/03/2026

Ahoy sailors!! Only 13 days to go until the conference! The silent auction is always a big part of the conference and this year we have one item that is so special we are putting it online ahead of the conference to ensure everyone is aware of it! Below are details about it and a link to it as well.

Larsen Marine in Waukegan, IL has shown its support for the sailing community by donating 2 gift certificates for haul out, power bottom wash, and launch. This is perfect for a boat doing the Mac or the Hook!!

Here's the fine print:
Though intended for pre-Mac race, the service is good to July 31, 2026. You could use it because you just want a mid-season wash. Boat can be up to 48' and they warn that, with lake levels going up and down, if your draft is more than 10' you might not make it to the travel lift (not their fault). You must call the service department and make a reservation. Since other Mac boats will doing same, they suggest you call three weeks ahead. Reservations have times and, if you choose the last slot of the day, you might not get re-launched til next morning.

The retail value of this service for a 40' boat is $1405. Waukegan is a great stop before Chicago for boats doing the Mac or the Hook. Get last provisioning at the grocery (2.9 miles away), pick up or swap crew, or visit Chicago on the METRA (station 0.4 miles from marina).

You are bidding on ONE certificate. There are two certificates available.

https://midwestwomenssailing.betterworld.org/auctions/2026-mwsc-special-auction

04/11/2026

Classes for the Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference are filling fast—and remember, class placement is based on when you register. If there’s something you really want to take… don’t wait.

Register now:
https://midwestwomenssailing.org/

Just a glimpse at what’s waiting for you this year:

⚓ Advanced Sail Trim – take your performance to the next level
🌊 Weather on the Great Lakes (NOAA/NWS) – because guessing is not a strategy
🧭 Aids to Navigation & Chart Reading – red, green, and everything in between
🪢 Need to Know Knots – hands-on skills every sailor needs
🔌 All About Electrical (Hands-On!) – yes, you can actually understand your boat’s systems
⛵ Heavy Weather Emergency Sailing – be ready when it matters most
💬 Imposter Syndrome on the Water Panel – because confidence is a skill too
🌟 Big Audacious Adventures Panel – real stories from women who went for it

And that’s just scratching the surface…
From beginner-friendly sessions like Introduction to Sailing to advanced, hands-on technical workshops, there is truly something for every sailor.

⚠️ Popular classes WILL fill first—don’t miss out on the ones you’ve been eyeing.

Grab your spot, pick your classes, and get ready for an unforgettable weekend.

⛵ Learn more. Sail smarter. Show up stronger.

04/04/2026

⛵ Only 42 days to go until the conference!

If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time—spots are filling quickly and you won’t want to miss this incredible weekend on and off the water.
👉 Register here:
https://midwestwomenssailing.org/

We are thrilled to introduce our 2026 Keynote Speaker: Pam Rice

Pam is a lifelong sailor who bought her first boat in 1972, and her journey on the water has been nothing short of inspiring. In addition to her sailing experience, she is a talented designer and author/illustrator of children’s books, bringing a unique blend of creativity, storytelling, and seamanship to everything she does.
Her perspective is one of passion, independence, and lifelong learning—qualities that resonate deeply within our sailing community. We were honored to have her stop by our booth at Yachtapalooza!

You won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear her story and kick off the conference with inspiration that will stay with you long after the weekend ends.

⚓ Come for the learning
🌊 Stay for the community
⛵ Leave inspired

We can’t wait to see you there!!

03/21/2026

⛵ We’re at Yachtapalooza—come say hi! ⛵

If you’re here, swing by our booth, grab some info, and talk sailing with us—we’d love to meet you. Two great events still have room - register now!

⚓ Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference
👉 https://midwestwomenssailing.org/

🌊 US Sailing International Safety at Sea, Hands-On Course (1-day)
Happening the Friday before the conference—an incredible hands-on experience
👉 https://midwestwomenssailing.org/safetyatsea

03/16/2026

⛵ Sponsor Spotlight: Mustang Survival ⛵

We’re incredibly grateful for the continued support of Mustang Survival, an amazing sponsor of the Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference. Their dedication to safety and performance on the water makes them a perfect partner for our community of sailors.
Mustang has also generously donated some fantastic items for our Silent Auction, including:
⚓ Khimera Dual Flotation PFD
🌊 Women’s Callen Waterproof Jacket
🧤 Traction UV Open Finger Gloves

The silent auction is always a fun part of the conference — and thanks to partners like Mustang, it keeps getting better every year.
⚠️ Reminder: Registration for the conference is filling quickly. If you’re planning to join us this year, don’t wait too long to secure your spot.
👉 Register here: midwestwomenssailing.org

02/25/2026

We’re excited to share that the Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference will have a booth at Yachtapalooza in Chicago, hosted at Crowley’s Boat Yard!
If you’ve never been, Yachtapalooza is an absolute blast and a can’t-miss day for sailors:

⛵ FREE seminars
🎶 Entertainment
⚓ Blowout marine sales
🌊 Dockside fun all day long

Swing by our booth, say hello, talk sailing, and get the inside scoop on the upcoming conference. Whether you’re a longtime attendee or just curious, we’d love to see you.
Fair winds, full sails, and great dock talk—join us for an unforgettable day on the waterfront! ⛵✨

https://crowleys.com/yachtapalooza

02/16/2026

⚓ Update from the dock: we’re officially HALF FULL! ⚓
Registration for the Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference is filling fast. If this event is on your radar, now’s the moment to trim your sails and commit......spots disappear quicker than a fair-weather breeze.
Every year, we see the same thing: classes fill and latecomers wish they’d jumped aboard sooner. Don’t be that sailor waving from the dock. 😉
🌊 Great learning
⚓ Incredible community
🧭 A weekend that leaves you more confident on the water
👉 Register now:
https://mwsc.wildapricot.org/event-6505862
Fair winds favor the prepared—and the early registrants. See you on board! 🚤✨

01/25/2026

It's back! May 15th 2026 - Safety At Sea!!

We’re excited to announce that Friday, May 15, the day before the Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference, we are bringing back the US Sailing International Safety at Sea, Hands-On Course (1-day)—entirely women-led.

This immersive, practical course is designed to build real confidence for real situations on the water. It’s focused, physical, and empowering—the kind of training that stays with you long after the day ends. We’re especially thrilled that this course will be moderated by Captain Leslie Washburn, a highly respected Chicago-based sailor whose experience, leadership, and calm authority make her the perfect guide for this powerful day of learning.

⚠️ Space is limited, and this course fills quickly—early registration is strongly encouraged.
Registration details:
$400 – Single registrant
$750 – Registrant + guest*
*The primary registrant must be a woman; the guest may be of any gender

👉 Register today & find more details here:

The Midwest Women's Sailing Conference is thrilled to once again offer the US Sailing International Safety at Sea, Hands-On Course (1-day).

01/12/2026

⚓ Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2026 Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference! May 16th 2026!!⚓

This conference is more than classes and time on the water—it’s a rare and energizing chance to come together as women who sail, learn from one another, and build skills in a space designed for us. The kind of environment where questions are welcomed, confidence grows fast, and you leave standing a little taller at the helm.

Class placement is prioritized based on registration date, so the sooner you sign up, the better your chances of getting the sessions you’re most excited about. Early action = best fit.

We’re also thrilled to welcome our 2026 Keynote Speaker, Pam Rice 🌊
Pam is a lifelong sailor who bought her first boat in 1972, a talented designer, and an author/illustrator of children’s books. Her story blends creativity, independence, and decades of experience on the water—an inspiring reminder of what’s possible when you claim your space and keep learning.

📅 Sail smarter. Build community. Leave empowered.

👉 Register now: https://mwsc.wildapricot.org/event-6505862

Spots fill. Classes fill faster. Future-you will be glad you didn’t wait. 😉

**Also of note we are bringing back the Safety at Sea 1 day hands on course on May 15th! More details to come but you can check it out and register here now:

https://mwsc.wildapricot.org/safetyatsea

Pam Rice.  BlackChicagoSailors.org in 2006, a virtual organization that connected both men and women sailors.She is a current board member at the Chicago Maritime Museum.