SAIL Port Stephens has a range of events around it and one is run by Women Who Sail a women’s network with over 3600 members.

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The Gathering on the Bay (GOTB) offers ladies who sail an opportunity for members to gather and learn together.

Three days of workshops and seminars will be held at the Bay from 5-7 April where 100 women come will from around Australia and New Zealand.

Founder of Women Who Sail Shelley Wright told News Of The Area, “The key speakers this year are:

Lisa Blair a record breaking solo sailor who was the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica with her most recent accomplishment being the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around Australia.”

Torre DeRoche an author of two memoirs that deal with fear ‘Love with a chance of drowning’ and ‘The worrier’s guide to the end of the world’ will also be speaking.

Annette Hesselmans who competed in the two-handed (ie only 2 people aboard) 2018 Melbourne to Osaka race and skippered her boat with an all-women crew in the recent Melbourne to Hobart race will be sharing her experience.

Other topics this year include workshops on VHF radio, outboard engine maintenance, cooking on a boat, marine flares, and radar.

Presentations include Wheelchair bound sailor Renee Smith from Sailors with DisAbilities, a talk on marine debris, a forum on sailing in the Mediterranean.

The event itself is for women only, however men are invited to attend the social events.

Marine Rescue Port Stephens runs a ‘partner’s program’ at their base on the Saturday for the men, with topics such as CPR and VHF radios.

Money raised by the event is divided between Marine Rescue Port Stephens and Sailors With DisAbilities.

All women interested in boats are welcome you can find out more at www.womenwhosailaustralia.com

By Marian SAMPSON