When Gail Hine started sailing with the Palos Verdes Yacht Club–now the Redondo Beach Yacht Club–in Southern California in 1968, she was one of the only women among a large group of men. Being in the minority did not sequester her desire to sail, however. She was a competitive racer and could always be found at the helm of the 24-foot Nightingale sailboat, Hummer. In 1984, she won the Marina del Ray to San Diego race.
As Hine became more established and accomplished in Southern California’s sailing scene, she wanted to get more women involved. In 1975, she began organizing a series of seminars for women at the yacht club, which were designed to get them sailing. The seminars were a great success, and Hine was later asked by the Southern California Yacht Club to chair a women’s sailing committee.
While working for the committee, Hine had the idea to start a sailing convention for women. She launched the first convention in 1990, and the SCYC sponsored the event for 27 years.
The Sailing Convention for Women is about to celebrate its 30 year on February 1, and the event is now sponsored by BoatUS and other local businesses. It is hosted at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Corona del Mar, California. The day-long convention features shore-based and boat-based workshops that are accessible for anyone from beginner to expert, and all workshops are taught by women sailors, many of whom are U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captains.
“The Convention gives women an opportunity to meet other women sailors, discuss options for more cruising and day sailing, find out about existing women’s sailing organizations in their area as well as instructional programs available,” Hine says. “We have something meaningful for everyone.”
The event costs $235 to attend, and it can host approximately 240 people. It is expected to sell out. For more information, visit sailingconventionforwomen.com.
