Are you or someone you know interested in learning to sail with an all-women crew? Join Wind & Women - Modern's women's sailing program! While we believe that anyone can learn from any of our excellent instructors, we are eager to create a supportive and encouraging program in which women support women in achieving their sailing goals.
Women Take the Helm
The legacy of women in sailing dates back to the 1700s with the daring Anne Bonny and Mary Read aboard the pirate sloop Revenge. For centuries, women have pushed the boundaries of the sea, and today, they are redefining what is possible at a record-breaking pace. We are living in a new "Golden Age" of women's sailing. In just the last two years, we've seen:
Cole Brauer (2024): At age 29, she became the first American woman to race solo, nonstop around the world, finishing 2nd in the Global Solo Challenge and capturing the world’s imagination through her viral journey.
Justine Mettraux (2025): The Swiss powerhouse finished 8th in the legendary 2024-25 Vendée Globe, setting a new world record for the fastest solo, nonstop circumnavigation by a woman on a monohull (76 days, 1 hour).
Marit Bouwmeester (2024): Making Olympic history at the Paris 2024 Games, she became the most successful female Olympic sailor of all time, securing her fourth medal (Gold).
Kirsten Neuschäfer (2023-24): The South African sailor made history as the first woman to win a solo, nonstop round-the-world race (the Golden Globe Race), earning her the Rolex World Sailor of the Year award.
The Famous Project (2025): Led by Alexia Barrier and Dee Caffari, this all-female crew recently launched a high-stakes bid for the Jules Verne Trophy, aiming to set the absolute speed record for sailing around the world.
From the legendary Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz (the first woman to circumnavigate the world) to today’s record-breakers like Francesca Clapcich (the first Italian to win The Ocean Race), women continue to prove that the sea knows no gender. And age is irrelevant as well: from Laura Dekker - the youngest, and Jeanne Socrates - the oldest, female sailors have been adding their finesse to sailing for centuries. (To learn more about these icons, see Women aboard: the most famous female sailors of all time.)
Women Learning to Sail on San Francisco Bay
Wind & Women is focused on building this legacy and growing the community of female sailors who make the Bay Area their home. Taught by Captains Kira Maixner, Laura Parent, Andrea Geisinger, Mindy Oppenheim, and several others, courses accommodate all skill levels and provide an inclusive and open atmosphere for learning how to sail safely and confidently. Take the helm, hone your skills, and skipper like a pro - join Wind & Women and sign up for one of our American Sailing Association courses!
There are three ways to sign up for Wind & Women courses - call (415) 331-8250, email us, or check the Schedule and enroll online. Pricing for Wind & Women courses is the same as for co-ed courses.
Finding Wind & Women courses on our schedule is easy - simply go to the Schedule page and click the "All Classes" drop-down list, as shown in the screenshot below.
Want to add Wind & Women Club Sails??
We are looking for qualified skippers to raise your hands to lead an all-women Modern Sailing Club Sail as the Club Skipper. Read qualifications here. Email us to join our interest list and let us know what your schedule of availability is for our Club Sails. See the current schedule here.
Inspiring Women Sailors in Our Community
The amazing women sailors in our community are too numerous to count! ...But if you need some inspiration, here are just a few we've previously spotlighted in articles on our website.
- Heather Stewart's Inspiring Journey: Sailing Toward Confidence
- Koren Leslie Cohen - from beginner to boat owner in less than 3 years!
- Regina Riordan, Club Skipper
- Elizabeth Henderson, 2023 Top Student
- Lily Bragg, 2023 Club Ambassador
- Lee Thomas's Long-Distance Relationship with Sailing
- Racing Around the World for a Cause - Holly Williams and Team UNICEF
- From Novice to Elite: Jenny Maybee's Journey Through Modern Sailing's 3-Tiered Racing Program
- Julie Kim's Path to Competitive Bay Racing
- Captain Kira Maixner Coaches the Next Wave of Women's J/105 Racing
- Captain Andrea Geisinger's Passage from O'ahu to the Marquesas
Do you know of any amazing female sailors in our community who should be featured in a Sailor Spotlight article? Let us know!
