Women on the Water Weekend in British Columbia:
Building Confidence by Getting Out There and Doing It
We proudly joined the 2026 Women on the Water (WOW) Weekend in Sidney on Vancouver Island, continues to be one of the most impactful boating education events for women in BC.
Hosted by the Bluewater Cruising Association and co-chaired by Kate Swangard and Elaine Humphrey for the second year in a row – the 2026 gathering was a high-caliber, high-energy gathering focused on one outcome:
Building real confidence on the water through action – because it’s never too late (or too early) to start.
Two amazing days of community and learning, more than 50 women powerboaters and sailors came together to develop practical skills in:
- Coastal navigation and seamanship
- Marine weather interpretation
- Boat systems and maintenance
- Docking and close-quarters handling
- Skipper decision-making and leadership
Featuring an exceptional lineup of women leaders in boating including Elizabeth Brown-Shaw, Larissa Clark (via Zoom from the UK), Agathe Gaulin, Missy Gervais, Marla Hedman, Elaine Humphrey, Stefa Katamay, Tracy Sarich and Sarah White – the weekend delivered expertise across every stage of the boating journey.
Confidence on the Water is Built – Not Given
Keynote speakers, Larissa Clark and Elizabeth Brown-Shaw, set the tone with powerful, real-world perspectives drawn from tens of thousands of offshore miles. Their stories—raising families at sea, navigating uncertainty, and stepping into the unknown—reinforced a critical truth for every boater: You don’t wait until you feel ready. You build readiness by getting out there.
From Seamanship to Decision-Making: A Layered Learning Experience
What made this weekend effective wasn’t just the content—it was the structure.
Seamanship sessions → grounded participants in practical skills
Systems and maintenance sessions → reinforced awareness and preparedness
Cruising strategy discussions → connected planning to real BC coastal conditions
Together, they created a clear progression: From understanding → to application → to confidence. Because confidence on the water doesn’t come from time alone. It comes from making decisions, seeing outcomes, adjusting in real time and just getting out there. Every session reinforced the same principle – confidence is built by engaging, not waiting, by exploring:
- how to prepare for changing coastal conditions
- practical information about boat systems and maintenance
- understanding how you show up and grow as a leader and team mate
- practical tips for docking
- decision-making skills for skippers of all skill levels
Sunday’s Interactive Workshop: The Skipper’s Mindset™ in Action
The weekend culminated in an interactive session featuring the Skipper’s Mindset™ Challenge Game—a scenario-based workshop designed to put decision-making into practice. With a lot of laughs – together we worked through real-world boating scenarios, including:
- changing conditions
- time pressure
- competing priorities
- crew dynamics
We had a lot of fun bringing it all together. Not in theory—but in application. The focus wasn’t on getting the “right” answer. It was on:
- identifying what matters most in the moment
- making clear, timely decisions
- staying composed under pressure
This is the core of the Skipper’s Mindset™: Command the moment. Control the outcome.
Why Events Like This Matter for Boating in British Columbia
As more people, especially women, explore boating – community is key. Workshops like this raise the standard and create environments where people can:
- ask better questions
- learn from shared experience
- build skills that translate directly to time on the water
- enjoy the community that makes the boating life so rewarding
What’s Next: Spring Training Rendezvous
If this weekend proved anything, it’s that confidence doesn’t come from waiting—it comes from stepping in. To continue building on this momentum, an upcoming Training Rendezvous is planned for the spring—bringing together boaters who want to keep developing their skills through hands-on practice, shared learning, and real-world application on the water. Details will be announced soon.
April 25-26 Skipper’s Mindset 2-day Seminar at Brentwood Bay Resort – Limited to 25 people – Tickets on Sale Now
Group Courses on Power & Sail – Visit our Calendar for Dates and Details
Private 1:1 Trainings Available – Contact us to schedule time on your boat at your marina – info@thevoyagemakers.com
If you’re not a newsletter subscriber – subscribe now to download Chapter 1 – Tools for Boat Owners and Chapter 2 – Docking Framework from our Skipper’s Mindset™ series.
Looking to build your skills this season? Explore upcoming boating courses, seminars, and on-water training with Voyage Makers Coastal Adventures.
