I've been teaching sailing since I was 18, been sailing my whole life, I get it honest.  Actually was turned away from the USCG recruiters office because I was female.  I'm the daughter of a public school teacher/charter Captain/sail instructor and do just the same.  Grew up sailing the Great Lake Erie and started teaching in the summers at the Cleveland Sailing School.....back when there were NO OTHER female instructors or captains I'd known.......70's.  Competed collegiately and became the Commodore of the Kent State Sailing Club for several years.  Raced in PERF, organized windsurfer/mistral regattas, competed heavily in the Hobie fleet and crewed at the Highlander Nationals.   Moved south and lived aboard a 41' trimaran, before multihulls were popular...but we spread the good news as much as possible.  Had two little swabs and promptly sailed up the coast to raise them on the coast of North Carolina.

Had MANY boats over the years.....since I bought a house, have dedicated my time to small boats and teaching more sailors!!  Was certified as a small boat sailor under US Sailing Instructor qualifications in Savannah, Georgia...and fulfilled a life-time dream of USCG Captain's license....(an irony of the female captain).  Spent several years over at Camp Lejeune Marine Base running the sailing program on small boats and keel boats...getting them up to speed with US Sailing certification.  Started working part time for the NC Maritime Museum adult classes, assisting with the Jr. sail program, teaching workshops and seminars on the seafaring arts and being the ONLY female captain at the museum, at the annual traditional wooden boat sprits'l races.