When women come together to support and empower each other, something truly magical happens.

One moment that stands out is Stacey at the helm, completely immersed in the experience as she connected with the boat during a day of fresher winds. You could see the joy on her face as she dug into the feel of the boat, embracing the power and control she had at the wheel. It was just one of many moments where the transformation in these women was palpable.

Watching each woman face her uneasiness with sailing and then rise above it was an honor. They leaned on one another for encouragement, offering a helping hand or a comforting hug whenever needed. There was no judgment, only support and understanding. Mistakes were seen as opportunities to learn, and the environment was filled with collaboration and light-heartedness. This atmosphere allowed everyone to grow not just in skill, but in confidence and self-awareness.

I remember spending time below deck, just listening to the laughter and stories shared among the group. These were the beginnings of what I hope will be lifelong friendships.

A Beginning to Remember

The retreat began with a bit of a bang—literally. As we prepared to leave the marina, the boat’s propeller snagged on a line that hadn’t sunk as expected, bringing us to an abrupt halt. After a brief delay while we waited for a diver to free us, we made our second attempt to depart. It wasn’t without its challenges, as the tight marina and opposing winds made it tricky, but the crew stayed calm, avoided big corrections, and successfully backed us out. The biggest lesson from the day: stay calm, and embrace the art of backing up a boat.

And We’re Off

As we navigated out of the channel, the excitement started to build. “Who wants to take the helm?” I asked. At first, there was silence. Then, Shanna’s voice broke through, “I’m terrified, but I came here to learn. I’ll do it!” Her bravery set the tone for the week. As she nervously took control, her confidence grew with each passing minute, and soon she was steering us toward Marina Cay with a big smile on her face.

The rest of the crew quickly followed Shanna’s lead, stepping up to learn new skills. Stacey, Lisa, and Jackie took charge of setting up the lines and grabbing the mooring ball, with everyone communicating through our EarTech headsets. There were plenty of first-time successes, like catching the mooring ball on the first try, and each achievement brought more smiles and cheers.

Off to Our Training Ground

Our next stop was Leverick Bay, where we focused on maneuvering under power. I believe these foundational skills make us better sailors, so we practiced everything from stopping the boat to backing it up in tight spaces. The women quickly became more comfortable with the boat, gaining the confidence to handle real-life situations.

Sailing up to Leverick Bay also gave me a chance to assess everyone’s sailing skills. While they all understood the basics, we dove deeper into line management, winching, and the order of operations for setting sails. Shanna took charge of the winch to raise the main sail, with Jackie stepping in to help when we encountered a snagged reefing line. Despite the challenge, the crew remained positive, practicing tacking and sail trimming with enthusiasm.

Maneuvering Under Power

Before embarking on longer sails, it was crucial for everyone to master key under-power skills. These fundamentals—like stopping the boat, maintaining control at the slowest speed, and navigating through tight spaces—are essential for safe and confident sailing. By learning them early in the week, the crew had ample opportunities to put them into practice in real-life situations.

One of the most nerve-wracking skills we practiced was navigating through a crowded mooring field, especially one filled with expensive boats. It’s an exercise that causes a lot of unease the first time, but it’s also incredibly useful. The first pass went beautifully, giving everyone a boost of confidence. But the second pass served as a powerful lesson in handling wind impact.

Lisa took the helm, skillfully winding through the boats with ease. As we approached the next set of moorings, we noticed a gust of wind rippling the water ahead. Lisa was a little close on her port side when that gust caught the bow. Despite feeling nervous, she kept her cool, quickly evaluated the situation, and made the necessary adjustments. She navigated through the rest of the field like a pro, demonstrating just how much she had learned. It was a moment of pride for everyone, and a reminder that sailing is as much about staying calm under pressure as it is about skill.

It’s Time to Play

After a day of skill-building, we were ready for some fun. We sailed to the Bitter End, where we enjoyed the public showers, a delicious meal, and a celebratory drink. Despite the minor setback with the reefing line, which was resolved by the charter company’s rigging team, spirits were high.

The next day, we practiced anchoring and set off for Marina Cay, with the crew handling everything from route planning to sail trim and helm. By now, they were already much more comfortable with the boat, and it showed.

Our Special Guest

We were joined by Morgan, an Intern NauticEd Instructor, who took on the role of Captain for the day. She guided us to Sandy Island for more anchoring practice and then on to Jost Van Dyke. It was great to see Jackie stepping into her own as well, helping to teach and support Morgan.

Rounding Out the Week with Our Best Sails Yet

As the week went on, the wind picked up, giving us some of the best sailing conditions yet. We practiced sail trim in stronger winds, adding a new layer of challenge and excitement. Once again, Shanna’s bravery shone through as she declared, “I’m terrified, but I came here to learn. I’ll do it!” This time, everyone’s nerves had eased, and they jumped in with enthusiasm.

The retreat ended on a high note, with everyone feeling more confident and accomplished. Shanna looked forward to navigating her home waters solo with newfound confidence, while Stacey was eager to seek out more sailing opportunities in Boston and possibly even consider getting her own boat. Each woman left with additional skills, awareness, competence, and positivity, ready to continue their sailing journeys.