for Women, by Women
MIDWEST
WOMEN’S
SAILING CONFERENCE
Saturday, May 20, 2017
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Event Location:
Milwaukee Community Sailing Center
1450 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive,
Milwaukee, WI
(414) 277-9094
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MILWA
buy-a-boat.com
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M B W S O
MILWAUKEE BAY
WOMEN’S SAILING
ORGANIZATION
Milwaukee Community
Sailing Center
[email protected]
midwestwomenssailing.org (414) 530-6528
Chris Gribble
Official Photographer
Chris Gribble Photo
Welcome from 2017 Chair Phyllis McDonald!
The MWSC Planning Committee and I welcome you to the 7th annual Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference. As any chairperson would do, I want first to thank
the leaders who have come before me and the volunteers and dedicated instructors who make this event possible. From check-in to check-out, from tending dock
lines, to tending the coffee pot, from the workshops to the raffle, all of these women are passionate about sharing their enthusiasm for sailing. Just ask them!
This year’s speaker is Sheila McCurdy. Her sailing expertise is reflected on her race results score card. Although offering less recognition, her participation in her
local club, other acclaimed sailing organizations, and the development of sail training and safety programs impacts all sailors inshore, offshore, racing, and cruising.
We thank her heartily for coming to MWSC in 2017.
In your past evaluations you have challenged us to keep mixing it up. We’ve heard you and this year we’re offering eight new topics, while keeping a core of basics to introduce beginners to the sport. Again I say “Thank you” to the imaginative and hardworking women who have committed to another year of great work. And thank you for attending.
Last but not least, my thanks to the leaders and staff of the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center. Their motto, “Sailing is for Everyone“ continues to be fulfilled to a level that is
respected and emulated by sailing centers across the country. Their willingness to have MWSC be part of their world class program does us honor.
I hope you find this day exciting, informative and challenging. The energy you all bring to the day is the best way to start my sailing season. I hope you register right now to be part of
the MWSC, May 20, 2017!
Conference Hotel
Morning/afternoon sessions Please select the workshops
that interest you most to fill the two morning and two
afternoon sessions. For planning purposes, select different
workshops under “Second Choice” in case your first choice
classes are filled.
Fill out the registration form insert using the “Sailing
Ability Guide” and morning/afternoon workshop
descriptions on page 4.
Fee $145.00 per person until May 1 includes workshop
sessions (morning/afternoon), continental breakfast,
lunch, and after-conference hors d’oeuvres, coffee, soft
drinks, and water. The reception will have a cash bar.
Fee $155.00 per person after May 1 (if space available)
Ambassador Hotel
www.ambassadormilwaukee.com
"A shining example of true Art Deco style, the Ambassador Hotel
provides an urban oasis near the heart of downtown Milwaukee."
2308 West Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233
Queen Bed Thursday, May 18 - Friday, May 19 Saturday, May 20 - Monday, May 22
2
$149.00
$149.00
Room Rates Valid Through April 19, 2017
Call to Book (414) 345-5000 or (888) 322-3326
Mention Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference
Free Parking • Free Shuttle To/From Conference
Milw Community Sailing Center, Milwaukee, WI - Google Maps
If You Stay Two Nights
Confirmation A confirmation email will be sent to you after
we receive your signed registration form with full payment.
If you do not receive a confirmation, please call (414) 5306528 to inquire about your reservation.
Refunds
To and including February 15.........................100% refund
February 16 to and including March 15...........50% refund
March 16 to and including April 15..................25% refund
Sorry, no conference refund after April 15
Register early The Conference sells out each year, so
register early to avoid disappointment. Registering early
increases the chance that you will get your first choice workshops. Space is limited. First come, first served. If sold out,
you will be called. A waiting list will be established.
Please fill out the registration form carefully and sign it.
Make check payable to
Mail to
Conference Location
Milw Community Sailing Center, near
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee Community
Sailing Center
(414) 277-9094
1450 Milw
N. Lincoln
Memorial Drive,
Community
Sailing Center
A.
Milwaukee,
53202Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, WI
1450 NWI
Lincoln
(414) 277-9094
1 review
From the South: I-94/43 North to I-794 East.
From the West: I-94 East to I-794 East.
From the North: I-43 South to I-794 East-794.
Road construction is Complete!! Follow signs “To the Lakefront”. At street level, turn left
onto Lincoln Memorial Drive. Proceed north past the War Memorial/Art Museum to Lagoon
Drive (stoplight at north end of the duck pond/lagoon). Turn right onto Lagoon Drive and
follow to the end of the drive. MCSC parking lot is at the end of the drive to the left
Event Location:
Milwaukee Community
Sailing Center
Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference
Midwest Women's Sailing Conference
3701 N. Maryland Ave.,
Milwaukee, WI 53211
IMPORTANT! Dress warmly in layers
On-boat/dockside classes: Wear soft (white-soled) shoes
and bring a PFD. Some PFDs available.
The event will not be cancelled due to rain, snow, or sleet.
Bring rain gear if weather forecast indicates a need for it.
©20
Sheila McCurdy knows the many ways to enjoy being on a boat. She has sailed big boats and small. She has sailed with family, friends,
strangers, and professionals. She crews for other people and skippers her own boat. She has sailed over 100,000 miles offshore including
a passage from the Galapagos to the Marquesas in 2014, the 2015 Transatlantic Race, and 17 Newport Bermuda Races—skippering to 2nd
place in class and 4th overall in 2016.
Ashore, she is actively involved in things maritime. Currently, she is a trustee of the Mystic Seaport Museum. She serves on the board of her
local yacht club. She writes and lectures on sailing education and training. She runs Safety at Sea Seminars and certifies instructors for US
Sailing. She is a past commodore of the Cruising Club of America and past trustee of the New York Yacht Club. She holds a USCG 100-ton
Master’s License and a master’s degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. She has received several awards including
Rhode Island Boater of the Year 2011.
Keynote Speaker
Sheila McCurdy
Sheila was brought up in a sailing family in Cold Spring Harbor, NY. She lives in Middletown, RI, with her husband Dave Brown. They cruise
and race their 38-foot sloop Selkie, designed in 1986 by her father, Jim McCurdy.
Workshop Presenters
Amy Cermak
Cindy Kraus
Amy is an avid sailboat racer who skippers one design boats in Milwaukee, Racine,
and Chicago. She has raced in various NOOD Regattas, Key West Race Week six
times, and in the Chicago MAC. Amy is an advocate for women and girls’ sailing.
She coordinates the annual, day long “Adventure Sail” program for girls at the
Racine Yacht Club, and this year also organized a two-week sailing course for
middle school girls, sponsored by AAUW (American Association of University
Women - Racine, and Girls INC).
Cindy began sailing in her early teens on Class X and scows. She became a
member of the UWM Sailing Club, serving as Fleet Captain and Instructor. Cindy
and her husband Bob have cruised on their Pearson 323. They have gone down
the Mississippi River, across the Gulf of Mexico to the Bahamas. They have also
navigated the Intracoastal Waterway, the Erie Barge Canal, and Canada’s Trent
Severn Waterway. Cindy is a US Sailing Club Judge and Certified Race Officer and
has been extensively involved in the sailing community, serving on many race
committees. She has served Milwaukee Yacht Club as a Fleet Committee Chair,
Race Committee Chair, and PHRF Fleet Captain.
Teresa Coronado
Teresa's grandfather taught her to sail scows, and she has been sailing everything
since. After joining MCSC seven years ago and learning about keelboats, she began
teaching sailing there. Although more of a cruiser, Teresa crews on Eclipse in the
MBWSO Monday-night race series, has learned to gybe a pole, and skippers/crews
in the MCSC Sunday-morning series. She sails a Sunfish, a Butterfly, and a Capri 13
on Lake Michigan when she isn't chartering on Lake Superior or in the BVI.
Shelly Galligan
Nancy J. Glover
Shelly is a registered nurse with 25 years of experience in the Emergency Room.
She holds certifications in emergency nursing, trauma nursing, advanced cardiac
life support, and pediatric advanced life support. Shelly grew up racing and cruising on a classic wooden “Q” boat. She was away from sailing for a lifetime, and
has returned with gusto. She has her USCG 100 ton Master's License and now
specializes in tricky boat deliveries. Most recently she has delivered boats from
St.Thomas to Florida, Panama to Tampa, and Hawaii to California. Shelly
is passionate about life on the water, and life in general.
Nancy is an avid racer, owning and campaigning her J/105, J/70, and Laser locally
and nationally. She is a US Sailing National Judge. She is also a frequent speaker and
seminar leader on the Racing Rules of Sailing for training and certifying judges and
assisting racers. Professionally, Nancy is a CPA and an attorney. She is an Ernst and
Young retired partner in International Tax Services. Her company, Copley Square Tax
Group, provides tax consultation to tax-exempt entities.
Jane Larson
Jane has sailed most of her life, but became passionate in 1997 while sailing
with Bill Gladstone’s Chicago Sailing Club. Since then she has raced at Key West
Race week and on Lake Michigan (including the Queen’s Cup) as well as cruising
in the BVI. Jane is involved with MBWSO, MAST, SSYC, and serves on the board
of MCSC where she is also a volunteer instructor. She has raced & skippered
many boats including a 470, J/24, Melges 24, Laser 28, Tartan-10, J/92, and
Beneteau 42s7. In winter, in addition to being a ski instructor trainer, Jane
teaches navigation and does the same in summer aboard MCSC’s C&C 29. Jane
owns a Cape Dory 25, a Holder 14, and a 1959 wooden lapstrake powerboat.
Phyllis McDonald
Phyllis started sailing while in college. In the first two years she made 9300
miles of passages, including trips down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico,
up and down the Atlantic coast, Key West to Newport, Rhode Island, and then
traversing the Great Lakes. The logged miles and experience as crew and then
as skipper earned her a USCG Captain’s License. Since the 1970s Phyllis has
always worked somewhere in the marine industry and has extensive experience in boat maintenance.
Mickey Neilson
Mickey has raced in numerous US Sailing championships, the J/24 Worlds, 24
Chicago/ Port Huron/Mac Races, 15 Queen’s Cups, 6 Key West Race Weeks, and
various NOOD Regattas. She has raced J/22s, Great Lakes 36, 50, and 70s, J/105s,
and J/109s. Mickey volunteers at Nielson Sailmakers in Racine, Wisconsin. Mickey
and her husband own and race an Olympic Class Star, which they sail in local and
world level competition.
Paulette Hamel
Paulette has been a sailor since her parents purchased a Sunfish that she learned
to sail on in the 70s. From Canada to California, Ohio, and Wisconsin she has
sailed every chance she could. Currently she crews on a T10 out of SSYC as part
of the Milwaukee Bay Women's Fleet. Paulette has been in the fashion industry
for the past 25 years, graduating from Brooks in California. As Creative Director of
Doerayme, Inc. she designs, sources, and manufactures for top fashion brands in
the US and Canada. She is an expert in textiles and sportswear construction, bags,
and accessories.
Sarah Pederson
Born into a sailing family, Sarah’s love of the sport started early. Growing up in
Kenosha, she learned to sail in Penguins and raced a Thistle with her family. She
taught for Offshore Sailing School in Florida and Tortola, BVI. When she returned
to the Midwest, she taught children and adults in Kenosha and Racine through their
yacht clubs. She’s been active in all types of racing from local championships, skippering a Mirage 24, J/24 (all woman crew), and a C&C 30, as well as long distance
races such as the Chicago-Mac, Port Huron-Mac, and the HOOK.
Debbie Koelliker
For Debbie, racing sailboats started out as a casual interest and developed into an
obsession. Debbie started sailing in the 90’s on the Chesapeake Bay. She started
out on a C&C’s bow but feels she really learned how to sail when she competed in
keelboat and catamaran one design fleets. From big name regattas to club racing
she has raced on saltwater, brackish and fresh. The blue-water deliveries and BVI
vacations convinced her, Cruising is fun!!! Home water is now Milwaukee Bay on
a Catalina 30, a trimaran and also iceboats on inland lakes. Debbie says she is still
learning more about sailing every day. She wants to share some of the maintenance skills she has picked up along the way. Join the Winch Wench Crew.
Amy Seeley
Amy has been a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Chicago for
20 years. She graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1992 with a B.S. in
Meteorology. From 1994-2009 as Port Meteorological Officer (PMO) she went
aboard Great Lakes ships to train crew on taking weather observations so that forecasters would have real time information. She also calibrated their weather equipment and taught them how to use the online National Weather Service products.
Juliana Senfft
Whitney Kent
Whitney began sailing dinghies at age 6 as a member of the South Shore Yacht
Club Junior's Organization where she later spent several years as an instructor.
During that time, she skippered the J/30 Rafiki with success in the MBWSO and
the Milwaukee Bay PHRF series. In college, Whitney was an active member of University of Wisconsin-Madison sailing team, where she was Captain for two years
and Commodore of the Midwest Collegiate Sailing Association for a year. Now she
works for the Sailing Education Association of Sheboygan (SEAS) as Program
Manager and Race Coach of the Sheboygan Youth Sailing Center.
Juju grew up in Brazil at the Iate Clube Brasileiro on Guanabara Bay, where she
started sailing at the young age of 3 years. Having sailed dinghies most of her life,
she made the switch to Match Racing in 2007. She first came to Wisconsin in 2008
for the Northern Lights Cup hosted in Sheboygan. She campaigned for the London
Olympics in Match Racing and the Rio Olympics in the 49er FX class. She holds a
degree in Physical Education and served as an athlete in the Brazilian Navy. Juju now
works with disabled sailors in Sheboygan at the Sailing Education Association of
Sheboygan (SEAS).
Jennifer “Jenny” Townsend
Jenny has competed in skiing and sailing in weather from 90° and fog to -20°. She
has taught all ages to sail boats from Optis and Prams to 50-footers. Jenny has
done buoy and offshore races since childhood. She and her family have cruised
Lake Superior. She has raced her J/24 in hundreds of buoy races with family and
female-only crew and has competed in many handicap and one-design events. She
was also the first 2nd generation/2nd female Commodore of Duluth Yacht Club.
**SAILING ABILITY QUALIFICATION GUIDE**
Please use the following information as a guide when choosing workshops:
Beginner: You haven’t been on a sailboat before or you’ve been a guest on other people’s boats. Your experience is limited to following directions. Your knowledge of terminology
is basic. Little or no helm time. You’ve been sailing with others, but do not adjust anything without direction.
Intermediate: You’ve been sailing with others. You know fundamental terms and equipment and can prepare for and execute maneuvers with brief commands. You are
familiar with basic trim of jib and main, and know when and how to adjust the sails. Helm time is limited, but can read telltales. Know that there are rules of the road, but don't know
them. Have been exposed to navigation but have limited practice.
Advanced: You can hand, reef, and steer and know what each means. Understand navigation terms, and recognize all aids to navigation, but have limited charting practice. You can
direct a beginner in sail trim. Can use secondary trim controls. Have flown a spinnaker. Can maneuver in close quarters under sail or power.
Morning Workshops
Introduction to Sailing
Teresa Coronado
For beginners, or those who wish to learn the
fundamentals of sailing. Receive an introduction to
sailing, boat equipment, points of sail, tacking, jibing,
and basic safety. Even if you already know some basics,
enhance your knowledge with this opportunity to get
questions answered.
Weather Using the Web
Amy Seeley
Learn how to find important information on the National
Weather Service website. There are many different
services available. All marine products and services are
offered for the Great Lakes area. We will go over the Great
Lakes Marine Portal, websites, NOAA Weather Radio, and
criteria for our various marine products.
Performance Clothing
Paulette Hamel
Learn what to wear in all types of weather and for
different types of sailing. Open water is a special
environment for which your body must be prepared.
Different types of sailing require specific clothing. With
this in mind I will walk you through the choices of
apparel and accessories that are available. The variety
of modern clothing is enormous due to the use of high
tech materials and a number of recent innovations that
compete with traditional sailor’s clothing. I will help you
take the mystery out of different fabrics and styles and
narrow down to the essentials so you can find what you
really need. Apparel and accessories will be on view via a
stationary fashion show.
Winch Wench
Debbie Koelliker
Understanding and maintaining the winches on your boat!
This hands-on class will give you a chance to work with
the MWSC group and get your hands dirty (just kidding,
we’ll have gloves for you)! During this class you will have
a chance to see how winches are assembled and how they
should be maintained. Together, we will take apart several
winches, clean, oil, grease and re-assemble. We will have
several different types of winches available for you. As well
as the hands-on portion, we will cover the basic mechanics
of modern winches.
Sailboat winches may seem to be elaborate, foreign machines to most of us. And as machines, they require some
tools and a bit of technical knowledge to care for them
properly. This hands-on session is designed to take some
of the mystery out of winch maintenance and selection.
Going Aloft
Sheila McCurdy
Sailors have been hoisted up masts from the time the mastheads got too tall to reach from the deck. This workshop will
demonstrate several different types of bosun's chairs and a
climbing harness. Crew work and safe practices for going
aloft/coming down safely will be the focus of this workshop.
Dockside Class
Basic Sail Trim
Whitney Kent
This session will cover basic techniques for trimming sails
in a variety of conditions. Using a docked boat, this handson class will help you gain more knowledge and confidence
in your trimming skills. We will also discuss proper sail
handling and strategies for getting the most out of any
sailplan! The session will also focus on what influences sail
shape and why it matters.
Weather On the Water
Amy Seeley
Learn how to understand and use the right information to
make good decisions about pending weather conditions
– for you, your boat, and your crew. Read the clouds, sky,
and wind to predict what is coming and prepare. Discuss
how to stay informed and exercise good judgement for a
great safe-boating experience whether cruising or racing.
Advanced Sail Trim
Cindy Kraus/Nancy Glover
Power Up –Power Down: How and when to use advanced
trim tools for optimizing mainsail and headsail trim for
varying wind and wave conditions. Communication
between trimmer and helmsman. When to apply the
“rules of thumb” and when not. Your tools, halyard
tension, boom vang, lead adjustment. Useful for racing or
cruising, explore how to keep your boat moving in light-,
heavy-air, or critical conditions. Dockside/On-Boat Class
– No Beginners Please
Splicing Double-Braid
Jenny Townsend
Phyllis McDonald
You’ve seen the diagrams. At what step did your eyes
glaze over? This workshop will explain and decode,
add tips, and tricks to get you going on doing your own
double-braid splicing. Using small diameter line you will
practice the techniques and create an eyesplice using
double-braid line. Using modern high tech material
variations of the single-braid splice will be demonstrated.
Off-the-Wind Sails 101
Mickey Neilson
This session will cover boat rigging, terms, and execution
for racing and cruising with asymmetric and symmetric
spinnakers. No prior experience required. Dockside/OnBoat Class – Beginners Welcome
Afternoon Workshops
Taking Charge (Double Sesson)
Sarah Pederson
This class is for sailors who are interested in learning what to
do if you find yourself taking over the responsibilities of getting the boat safety back to the dock. This class is for all skill
levels, but focused on those who have not regularly had the
opportunity to take charge of a boat in a variety of conditions. We will cover how to prepare yourself, safety equipment and
information, sailing techniques, docking, anchoring, radio
use, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to apply
this new knowledge into “real life” scenarios.
RRS Downwind Mark Whitney Kent/Juliana Senfft
You've gotten off the startng line without incident. Then
you successfully make it up the windward leg with no fouls.
Around the top mark and off-you-go downwind. Do you plan
your rounding now, last minute or somewhere in between?
Rules and tactics go hand-in-hand. Review the rules for
mark roundings and other close-quarters situations and set
yourself up for success on the race course.
Docking Theory/Practical
Cindy Kraus
Class will demonstrate docking using a boat in the water.
One instructor will drive the boat and another will be on
shore narrating the docking procedure. We will dock
the boat numerous times from different angles. You will
be shown how to turn the boat in the smallest possible
space and why it is important to pick the proper approach
angle. You will understand the pivot point, and be able to
actually see that the boat is not actually going where it is
pointed, but is sliding, and how you can use this to your
advantage. Learn which lines to use and how to put them
where you need them to safely and securely put a boat in
a slip. Dockside Class
Safety Equipment
Amy Cermak
In this interactive, hands-on workshop you will gain the
knowledge of the safety equipment on your boat, and
learn how to use it. Many aspects of boating safety will
be covered: life jackets, marine radios, flares, man overboard equipment, and more. A must-do course for people
at all levels of sailing.
Off-the-Wind Sails 102
Mickey Nielson
Advanced rigging and execution for racing and cruising
with asymmetric and symmetric spinnakers. Advanced,
previous knowledge required. Dockside/On-Boat Class
– No Beginners Please
Offshore First Aid
Shelly Galligan
Poked eyes, banged brains, puke, poop, burns, guts,
butts, and cuts. It’s not as sexy as sail trim or working the
bow, but it’s crucial that we’re prepared to intervene in the
unique medical emergencies that occur on the water. We
have a great deal of power, not only in preventing injury
but also in responding effectively to the accidents that can
happen onboard. In this course you will learn practical
strategies for dealing with the injuries you may encounter
while sailing, suggestions for supplies to keep onboard,
tips about using items commonly found on sailboats
to assist in treating injury, and resources for further
study. You will come away with the self-confidence and
knowledge that you are better prepared for medical
emergencies on the water.
Recognizing Chart Symbols
Jane Larson
What do those lights mean? Why is that sign red and
green? Why is that thing making noise? Where is the map?
Learn what the various aids to navigation are including
lights, shapes, colors, sounds and how you use them as you
navigate. Explore hands-on chart reading using your new
knowledge and learn how to apply this while sailing to reach
your destination safely.
Put an Eye in Your Splice
Jenny Townsend
Marlinspike seamanship has been around since sailors
started messing around in boats. The laidline ie. twisted
three-strand rope has evolved though many variations of
materials from natural to a long list of synthetics. From
docklines to halyards and every thing in between, the
eyesplice is a fundamental element in sailboat rigging.
This workshop will show you how to start your splicing
adventures properly.
Getting the Crew Back Onboard
Sheila McCurdy
This workshop will demonstrate the LifeSling recovery system. Weather permitting, this demonstration will take place
on a sailboat alongside the dock. Equipment options and
personalizing the Lifesling will be shown. Dockside Class