Last year, I celebrated Women’s History Month by writing about Women in Sailing History, highlighting some of the incredible women sailors in my community. We honored Cindy Shabes, co-founder of American Sailing; Mary Swift-Swan, American Sailing’s first Woman Master Instructor; and Cara Brown, the 2022 ASA Instructor of the Year.
In 2024, while analyzing data from American Sailing affiliates and sailing schools, I discovered that more than half of them expressed interest in developing women’s sailing programs. This exciting revelation inspired me to celebrate Women’s History Month by spotlighting the director of a groundbreaking women’s sailing program launched in Athens, Greece.
Meet Laurel Seaborn—a name that seems fitting for someone who was quite literally “sea-born,” having grown up on a sailboat built by her father. With a Master’s Degree in Maritime History and a wealth of sailing experience, Laurel has truly done it all.
I asked Laurel some of the questions about her inspiring sailing journey including some questions that I hear often from sailors, and here’s what she said:
Nichole: “Laurel, your sailing journey is fascinating. How did you discover your love for sailing and what inspired you to establish the Women’s Sailing Program at Athens Sailing Academy?”
Laurel: “When I was a child, my family moved onto a sailboat in the Pacific Northwest. My mom loved sailing, so my dad built us a boat that we sailed every summer in the Gulf & San Juan Islands. She inspired my enthusiasm for adventures, and always supported my learning more about sailing, from building small boats out of twigs to “driving” my own sailing dinghy long before most kids learn to drive a car. My childhood memories are filled with exploring hidden coves, heeling over in waves, and curling up in my bunk to read.
While at college, I did some sail racing with local yacht clubs and was often the only woman in the crew. I enjoyed the experience but kept looking for more ways to share the sport with other women. When I started teaching sailing classes, I’m not sure I realized how rare it was to be the woman in charge on a boat.
On weekends, my sailing school did open sign-up days for students, and it just so happened only women showed up for a class. As soon as they realized this, one woman piped up, “Oh, I want to try starting the outboard, because I never get the chance.” And then a chorus of “me too”! Suddenly dropped into a group of all women, they may have felt more secure or safe enough to risk looking silly, when they weren’t feeling judged by male students. This moment helped me realize the change in dynamic for the women on board and how it might help us to learn more together.
Seeking out further adventures, I crewed on historic tall ships (including some movie stars you might recognize: Interceptor from “Pirates of the Caribbean” aka Lady Washington, and Surprise from “Master & Commander” aka “HMS” Rose). I began delving into the history of sailing and realized that women seafarers had been largely left out of our maritime narratives. So when I returned to university to study historical archaeology, I researched dozens of archived journals written by seafaring women in the nineteenth century. These women wrote of the terrors of getting caught in the Arctic ice aboard their whaleships or being attacked by pirates in the South China Sea, but most of their logbook-style entries told of the daily tasks of living on a ship; from trying to overcome seasickness to taking sights for navigation each noon hour. While teaching sailing, I often use anecdotes or stories to illustrate a point and am currently working on a manuscript for publication to share more about historic women at sea.
I love that these women came before us, that we’ve been going to sea since ancient times. We can go right back to 480 BCE, when Artemisia of Caria commanded a fleet of ships at the naval battle of Salamis. But maybe we shouldn’t focus on her as she allied with King Xerxes of Persia and fought against the Greeks! Far more famous, Laskarina Bouboulina sailed on ships and became an Admiral in the Greek War of Independence in 1821. Other examples of Greek women sailors include Olympic medalists and World Champions, such youth sailors team Danai Giannouli and Iakovina Kerkezou in 2024. All of them provide inspiration for us during our classes in Greece.
My drive to build a women’s sailing program with the Athens Sailing School comes from so many life experiences, propelling me forward to share what I can that will help get other women out on the water.”
Nichole: “Leading the women’s sailing program in Athens is a dream job for you, you said. What can women expect from the program?”
Laurel: “I’m so excited that I get to share my love of sailing with the women who come to sail with us in Greece. My basic principles of teaching focus on encouraging action, building confidence, and ensuring lots of practice. Most importantly to me, there’s NO yelling. When women are starting out sailing, one Captain Bligh instructor can shut-down all desire to continue with the sport. I believe women-only classes can ensure a safe space to learn and a great way to make life-long friends as we explore the islands of Greece!
The program will be structured around week-long, cruise and learn classes. We’ll be combining courses to offer a “Yacht Crew” package of basic keelboat and coastal cruising (ASA 101/103) and in other weeks, a “Skippers” package of bareboat cruising and navigation (ASA 104/105) for more experienced sailors. All classes will be aboard our Jeanneau yachts which range from 32 to 48ft. Sometimes cruising is equated to camping on the water, but it’s not completely Spartan aboard! There’s hot water for showers, fridges, stoves, stereos and the latest navigation equipment. The galley can be used to prepare an evening meal, but more likely dinners will be ashore in port. The boats can sleep six guests in double cabins, and single occupancy can be arranged. On warm summer nights, students may choose to sleep on deck under the stars!
If you’ve always dreamed of sailing the Aegean Sea, now is your chance to immerse yourself in the cultural history, marvel at white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, and savor the delicious food at the local tavernas. Check in happens on a Saturday and we finish on the following Saturday, and in between we sail the islands speckled in that amazing blue of the Mediterranean!”
Nichole: “In celebration of women in sailing, would you share some of your heroes and how they’ve inspired you and how that inspiration will impact your women’s sailing program?”
Laurel: “In the late 1980s, I loved reading the adventures of Tania Aebi in her first memoir “Maiden Voyage.” She completed a solo circumnavigation using only a sextant and radio direction finder, back in the day when chart plotters didn’t exist! Although I’d recommend more training and experience before setting off around the world like she did! At that point in time, few women role models existed in the sailing world, so to hear the story of her voyage confirmed for me that women could achieve what might seem insurmountable sailing goals.
Next I remember hearing of the all-women team in the 1989 Whitbread round the world race led by Captain Tracey Edwards. Not just a woman doing her own thing, but a full team working together to compete in a grueling eight month race. A recent documentary film titled “Maiden” (the name of their race boat) captured the jubilant crowds of women and girls awaiting them at the finish line. Seeing their courage and determination, I realized women need to have more examples of this, to see we can sail and do it well! We have the capability to take on these arduous and strenuous experiences. And succeed!
Although racers and record holders have the big media and drama, I also loved reading the experiences of the quiet cruisers such as Lin Pardey. Her book “Care and Feeding of the Offshore Crew” got me through stocking a boat for a long voyage sailing from Seattle to San Diego. I admit to being completely star-struck meeting her and Larry in person on a trip I took to New Zealand.
Currently, I feel women sailors have begun to have more visibility in the sport. In media-focused events such as circumnavigation races, sailors can link to online platforms and social media to share with the public, so that we can easily access their struggles and triumphs as they sail. Women have been making headlines in sailing news: Pip Hare sailed solo in two Vendee Globe races (the most recent, her boat was dismasted off Australia!), Kristen Neuschäfer won the Golden Globe Race, and Cole Brauer became the first American woman to sail nonstop around the world. Some have set records and many are using their influence to head foundations, some even paying it forward to help girls and women learn to sail. Each of these stories I feel shows how women are part of sailing and will continue to challenge themselves while they support other women who join in.”
Nichole: “What advice would you give to women who are either new to sailing or are at a crossroads in their sailing journey?”
Laurel: “Absolutely if you’re new, get out on sailboats big or small! You want to get the feel for being out there on the water and how sailboats move with the wind. Get on board for an intro to sailing to see if you want to do more, and then take a class. But don’t stop there, get out sailing as often as you can: join the local yacht club or sail share, attend regattas and boat shows, find friends who have sailboats or even buy your own (maybe start with a smaller one). The more you can practice, the more the dynamics of wind and canvas will make sense.
If you’re feeling at a crossroads for sailing, rethink how you do your sailing and maybe mix it up: Always taking out a Hobie cat? Instead, maybe plan to charter a larger sailboat. Tired of going slow? Get out on a sailing race. Feeling unchallenged by plain modern Marconi rigs? Sign up for tall ship sailing and learn the many ropes. Stuck always going out on the same stretch of bay? Perhaps join a vacation flotilla to help give you that confidence to explore a new location! Maybe even in Greece! If we have enough interest, we’d love to host you all here this autumn 2025.
Sometimes a change shows us another path that expands our experience and understanding. Regardless, talk to other women who are getting out sailing and hopefully new inspiration will move you forward.”
Thank you Laurel for sharing your sailing tips and journey with us. I hope that you all are as inspired by Laurel as I am. If you want to learn more about her Women’s Sailing Program, or better yet, join her in Athens, you can find that information here.
If you’re an American Sailing School interested in learning about launching your own Women’s Sailing Program, please get in touch with me at women@asa.com.
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