There are events you attend because they sound interesting, and then there are events you attend because you know they will elevate your confidence. Women On Water 2026, presented by the Bluewater Cruising Association, falls squarely into both!
Many of the women in the room already boat. They anchor, navigate, captain, manage lines, provision intelligently, and troubleshoot more than they’re often given credit for. WOW is about going further, understanding systems more deeply, reading weather with precision, handling the boat with authority, and strengthening the mental game that keeps everything steady when conditions shift.
Join us for Women On Water 2026, where you’ll find a community of inspiring women.
However, there are also women in the room who are just beginning their boating journey. If this is you, there is no better place to start than Women On Water 2026. There is something powerful about learning in a room full of capable women, absorbing the language, the logic, the confidence. You don’t just gain information; you gain perspective.
Held March 14th to 15th, 2026, at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, this day-and-a-half gathering blends serious knowledge with thoughtful conversation. It is equal parts technical and personal, the kind of weekend where you leave not just informed, but steadier, clearer, and more capable at the helm.
What’s on the Agenda?
WOW is built around practical, hands-on topics that dig into the mechanics of boating, from knots to weather, systems to confidence. You can choose sessions that fit your interests, experience level, and boat personality (power or sail, both welcome).
Here’s a short rundown of the speakers and what they’ll be sharing: 👇
☀️Agathe Gaulin -Weather Wisdom for Cruisers
Weather isn’t incidental; it dictates almost every decision you make on the water. Agathe will help you decode forecasts, read wind and clouds like a pro, and make savvy decisions on the water.
🔗 Elaine Humphrey -Knot Skills That Actually Stick
Learn the five essential knots every boater should master: clove hitch, bowline, rolling hitch, reef knot, and figure-8 stopper. You’ll come away with hands-on confidence and maybe even impress yourself (and everyone else at the dock).
⚙️ Missy Gervais -Know Your Boat’s Systems (My Favourite 😉)
From batteries and solar to anchor and water systems, this session pulls back the curtain on your boat’s systems, so nothing feels mysterious anymore. You will walk away with diagrams, a printed book, a vessel data sheet, clarity, and much more confidence.
🔧 Sarah White -Smart Boat Maintenance
Don’t wait until something goes pop. Sarah will walk through how to keep systems, engine, electrical, and plumbing in top shape, with tips that make maintenance feel strategic rather than overwhelming.
🧠 Stefa Katamay -Confidence & Inner Game Workshop
Ever have those moments of self-doubt on the water? Stefa’s session helps you understand the mental stuff, fear, communication hurdles, and inner saboteurs, so you show up stronger, calmer, and more present on every trip.
⚓Tracy Sarich & Marla Hedman -Docking & Close-Quarters Mastery
Docking doesn’t have to be stressful. Expect practical boat handling tips, wind and tide chat, communication strategies (so everyone understands your signals), and skills you’ll use every season.
So… Why Should You Go?
Boating isn’t only about tide tables and GPS tracks. It’s about competence. It’s about understanding what’s happening beneath your feet and above your head, and knowing how to respond with clarity. WOW 2026 creates space for that kind of growth, where thoughtful questions are welcomed, experience is respected, and confidence develops through practical knowledge.
Whether you have years on the water and want to deepen your technical understanding, or you are earlier in your journey and eager to build a stronger foundation, this event meets you where you are and moves you forward. The focus is not bravado. It is capability.
And then there is the room itself. The conversations over lunch. The exchange of hard-earned lessons. The quiet recognition that everyone is still learning something. There is real value in being surrounded by women who take boating seriously and are willing to share what they know.
Ready to Dive In?
Registration details (and sign-up!) are right here 👉 Register for WOW 2026 here! With limited spots, you’ll want to sign up early.
I hope you’ll join us, and I hope to see you in my session. If this is the season you’ve decided to deepen your knowledge and take fuller ownership of your time on the water, WOW is a great place to begin.🐶⚓
13 Pocket Expanding File Folder includes a Zipper and Labels, with a 3 Ring Binder. Perfect for alll of your boat documents, insurance, moorage contracts, and contact information.
Keep all your critical boat papers, insurance, manuals, haul-out records, and spare parts lists securely in one sleek, waterproof organizer. Designed for life afloat, it keeps you stress-free and shipshape when you need the right document fast.
