Women on the Water Week

Set Your Own Dates!

Over the last two decades, countless mothers, daughters, sisters and best friends have learned to be confident captains and first mates, honed successful racing technique, and enjoyed the camaraderie of Bitter End's Women on the Water Week.

Now, to respond to your busy schedules, we offer you the ability to learn from the women rock stars in the familiar format of Women on the Water Week, in the one-of-a-kind destination of Bitter End on North Sound, on your timetable. 

If you have a group of women (that would fill at least 10 rooms) that you know would enjoy participating in this weeklong event or would like to plan a five or six day event, contact our Office of Special Events, and we'll start planning. If you are interested in joining up with a group of other adventurers, and have more flexibility in your travel schedule, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , and with a large enough group, we will create the event to mesh with everyone's schedule.

[Of course, if you are determined to learn to sail or hone your skills, you are always welcome to take classes at the Bitter End Sailing School, where you can even get certified in small keelboat sailing.]

Pros That Could Lead Your Week

Martha Parker is considered among the best female crew to ever roam the foredeck of a racing sailboat. To be a foredeck crew, one has to be light, very strong, and have the reflexes and balance of a cat. Martha has done foredeck on winning IOR 50-footer programs, Swan 45 programs, IMS and IRC race boats, Swan 44 programs, and just about everything in between. No stranger to the Caribbean circuit, Martha regularly does foredeck on the Swan 44, Crescendo, which has 2005 and 2006 wins at BVI Spring Regatta, St. Thomas’ Rolex Regatta, and St. Maarten’s Heineken under its belt. As a day job, Martha is the owner and operator of Team One Newport, a leading retailer of high-performance sailing clothing and gear.

Pam Wall has been a frequent cruising visitor to the Bitter End, regaling our guests with stories of far away lands, and cruising exploits. Her profound knowledge of offshore sailing and enthusiasm for it are infectious. Pam and her husband and two children spent seven years circumnavigating the world, and later on, spent a year sailing across the Atlantic. Her presentations of these experiences are informational, awe-inspiring and a hit with all who have seen them. Pam has worked for West Marine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida since 1992, when she completed her world cruise, except for one year she and her family took to once more cruise together on their sailing adventure across the Atlantic.

Betsy Alison is the greatest female sailor that has walked the planet. From Newport, RI, she’s the only five-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, is a two-time Yngling World Champion, three-time U.S. Women’s National Sailing champion, three-time U.S. Women’s single-handed champion, and was selected twice by the U.S. Olympic Committee as the U.S. Amateur Athlete in Sailing, among countless titles. On top of maintaining her own racing acumen and competing, Betsy has joined U.S. Sailing as the full-time coach of the U.S. Disabled Sailing Team. She has been working with athletes of the U.S. Disabled Sailing Team for several years, accompanying the U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team to the 2000 and 2004 Paralympic Games.

Sample Schedule

Saturday --Arrivals and Welcome Harbor Cruise (Get to Know the Instructor(s) and fellow participants)

Sunday --AM: Skills Assessment & Laser Racing October 21--PM: Skills Assessment & Hunter Racing

Monday --AM: WOW 101 (Basics), PM: On the Water; or WOW 201A Boathandling  aboard IC 24s

Tuesday --WOW 102 (AM and PM--sail with confidence); or WOW 201B Tame the Spinnaker (AM); Bluewater Sailing on Express 37 (PM); Sailing Gear for Women at Sea (showcase).

Wednesday --Optional Anegada Trip and Twilight Racing, or private tutorials.

Thursday --IC 24 Regatta (for racers); or WOW 202 (intermediate/advanced Cruising Clinics)

Friday  --IC 24 Regatta (for racers); or WOW 202 (intermediate/advanced Cruising Clinics)

Closing Dinner