Today Karen Lile is interviewing Commodore Kelly Marie and Women on the Water Chair Sue Tholtz from the Los Angeles Yacht Club – one of the most historically significant organizations in Southern California, established in 1901. They are leaders in the clubs Women on Water sailing program.

Women On Water enables female members of Los Angeles Yacht Club and their guests to share sailing experiences in a supportive setting. Each W.O.W. event is run by women, for women. Presenters at the W.O.W. events are sailing instructors, licensed captains, and recreational skippers with decades of boating experience. Sessions always end with a debrief, enjoyable conversation, and a delicious meal at Los Angeles Yacht Club. 

LAYC’s goal is for women to enjoy boating, to experience the beauty of the natural marine world, and to learn new skills. To confidently skipper one’s own boat is one of the greatest pleasures offered by the sport of sailing! 

LAYC has a large brand aware audience in the California sailing community, but what most don’t realize is they are a small, family-oriented club. Membership is no more than 400. The foundational strength is legacy families. A service organization working together on various committees that better the club. Each small impact made by each member adds up and leads to extraordinary achievements such as: obtaining an outstation on Catalina Island, Howland’s Landing, home of the bi-annual Transpac Race, home of the annual Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup Regatta, and recently announced support of the upcoming 2028 Olympics.

Pictured: Vice Commodore Ken Corry, W.O.W Chair Kelly Millar, Fleet Captain Marjorie Irvin, Commodore Kelly Marie, and Director and Chair of W.O.W Sue Thotz. At the installation dinner Kelly Millar and Sue Thotz were honored with the Emmett Harvey Exceptional Service Award for their accomplishments in leading a successful W.O.W program. 

It is Sue and Kelly Millar’s leadership that has continued to make W.O.W a successful program.