The WWSA Gathering on the Bay (GOTB) is a three-day-event for women on the water held annually at Port Stephens, NSW. All women interested in boats are welcome (don't need to be a WWSA member to attend)!

The 2026 GOTB will be held at the Nelson Bay Golf Club, Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th March.

3 days of presentations by women, for women.

Event dinner (Sat. 28th evening) male partners and friends welcome.

Optional events prior to and after include: Safey Safety and Sea Survival Course theory with Genevieve White on Thurs 26th (book here) and ferry trip from Nelson Bay to Tea Gardens with the Original Tea Gardens Ferry (historic vessel) for breakfast on Mon 30^th.

Nautical books including author signings by Ruth Boydell and Linda Frylink Anderson.

Confirmed speakers include: 

Friday 27th March:

Genevieve White (Marine Safety Works);

Henri Lloyd fashion parade;

Kim Radford (Marine clothing smart layering masterclass);

Mel Yeomans (DeckHardware)

Kerrie Jeffreys (Keeping the Old Girls Afloat: Stories of History, Heritage and Resilience on the Water);

Viki Moore (Preparing a yacht to head offshore and all the destinations on your doorstep to cruise including New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga & New Zealand);

Saturday 28th March:

Sonia Robinson (Staying Afloat: Goals, Grit and the Courage to Finish. What does it really take to see a dream through — when the odds, the cost, and the exhaustion keep stacking up? In this session, lifelong sailor and (EziYacht Founder) broker Sonia Robinson shares the deeply personal journey of undertaking a major refit when her yacht Dream Catcher was in a broken state);

Dr Jeanne LeBlanc ("When Things Don’t Go as Planned: Coping with Crisis at Sea" This presentation explores the psychological and emotional realities of maritime emergencies, drawing on real bluewater cruising experience and disaster psychology. It explains common stress, grief, and trauma responses during and after serious incidents at sea, and outlines the predictable psychological phases of disaster. Practical guidance is provided on preparing yourself and your crew emotionally, managing reactions during an emergency, supporting recovery afterward, and helping fellow cruisers effectively—with clear do’s and don’ts to reduce harm, judgment, and misinformation);

Bridget Canham (Sydney to Hobart 2025);

Sunday 29th March:

Sophie Snijders (Sailing Nakama - lap around Australia);

Annette Hesselmans (Melbourne-Osaka race)

Dr Val Nicholls ("From 'Kipper to Skipper: Right Attitude". In 2016, Val became sole owner of Aziza, a 32-foot strip-planked Bristol Channel Cutter. Feeling undeserving of the title "Skipper," she dropped the "S" and tentatively called herself "Kipper." Over the following four years, she learned to captain her ship and, in 2024, completed a 10-month, mostly solo, 3,500-nautical-mile trip from Tasmania to Queensland and back);

Jing Gandy (Australian Boating Manual);

Tickets available here.