FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 September 15, 2006

 

FIRST EVER “WOMEN ON THE WATER” DAY TO BE HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL SAIL & POWER BOAT SHOW IN LONG BEACH, OCTOBER 6

 

West’s Largest Combined In-Water, On-Land Show Creates Special Demonstrations, Activities and Seminars Catering to Trend in Women Boat Buyers

 

Women Get in Free Friday, October 6

 

ORANGE, Calif. – The Southern California Marine Association (SCMA) will play host to the first ever “Women on the Water” (WOW) Day during the 37th Annual International Sail & Power Boat Show at the Long Beach Convention Center and Shoreline Village.  On Friday, October 6, during the four-day event, there will be a series of special demonstrations, interactive activities and seminars led by notable women in the marine industry to encourage more of their peers to discover boating.

The focus is on educating and empowering women to get into boating on their own, and women’s boating organizations from around the country will be on-site to help women build confidence, gather resources and gain empowerment to take ownership of the sport.  Local and national organizations scheduled to participate include the Long Beach and Los Angeles Women’s Sailing Association (http://www.sailingchicks.com/), the National Women’s Sailing Association (http://www.womensailing.org/), and the Women’s Ocean Racing Sailing Association (http://www.worsa.org/).

Other perks and programs include free admission on WOW Day (Friday, October 6) for all women, and local area businesses teaching unique skills for boaters.  Nordstroms Spa will offer facials and provide tips for taking care of skin while under the harsh conditions of boating.  Magma Barbeque will teach special techniques for gourmet cooking on your boat or yacht.  Orange Coast College School of Seamanship will highlight their women-only international crews.  And experienced women boaters will provide in-water power and sail boating demonstrations to teach the basics of captaining your own new craft.

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FIRST EVER “WOMEN ON THE WATER” DAY TO BE HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL SAIL & POWER BOAT SHOW IN LONG BEACH, OCTOBER 6

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“The SCMA recognizes that women are a vital segment of the sport of boating,” said Suzanne O’Rourke, a yacht broker for Blue Moon Yachts, as well as SCMA member and boat show committee member overseeing the WOW Day.  “We have seen a trend of more women getting into boating and sailing on their own, and the SCMA is embracing this trend.  The SCMA’s WOW Day is the first of its kind targeting women specifically and encouraging them to learn more about the sport and about boat ownership.”

WOW Day will also feature four boating seminars taught by women just for women and couples including:

  • Getting into Boating and Gaining Experience on the Water:  Educating women on existing and local area programs to help them get acquainted with boating. 
  • Couples Boating:  Directed towards couples and men to help them learn how to make boating more fun as a couples’ activity. 
  • Fun & Safety on the Water:  Focusing on how to have a fun and safe experience, whether on your own, with a group of friends, or with family, kids and pets.
  • How to buy a boat:  To be taught by Suzanne O’Rourke, a female yacht broker, sharing what women need to know about buying a boat. 

 

The International Sail & Power Boat Show is the largest of its kind in Southern California showing a range of more than 500 boats in all, both inside the Long Beach Convention Center as well as in the water.  From small trailerable family cruisers and fishing boats, all the way up to the grandest sailing and power yachts on the market today, the thousands of spectators who come to browse and buy in October will certainly find something to fit their boating and sailing interests. 

The International Sail & Power Boat Show is being produced by the SCMA and presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California.  The SCMA was founded in 1956 for the purpose of promoting, nurturing and improving the recreational boating business in Southern California.  For more information, please call 888-BOAT-INFO or visit www.socalboatshows.com.

 

 

Contact:         Dave Geoffroy                                                            Van Holmes/

Southern California Marine Association                     Mike Leone

                        (714) 633-7581                                                           Leone & Leone Ltd.

                        dave@scma.com                                                         (949) 493-7988

                                                                                                            (310) 902-9457 (mobile)

                                                                                                            (949) 285-1675 (mobile)

                                                                                                            vholmes@leonepr.com

                                                                                                            cmleone@leonepr.com

 

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos and b-roll available.

 

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