In a time when men like Tom Blackhaller, Ted Turner and Paul Elvstrøm were dominating the world of sailing, there was a woman sailor from California who was making history of her own. Jocelyn Nash, whose name has become synonymous with “pioneer female sailor,” had already compiled a very impressive list of firsts. Adding to that list: Sausalito–based Life on the Water is honored to have Jocelyn Nash as the first woman to be featured in their documentary film series.

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Born in San Francisco in 1929, Jocelyn Nash had everything going for her: Hollywood glamour, a UC Berkeley education and an upper middle-class upbringing. Instead of following the traditional path expected of a woman of that era, she strayed and set her own course. Jocelyn’s passion and mastery of sailing has inspired three generations of female sailors to compete in a sport that, only a few years ago, was entirely male-dominated, all of this while raising four children – much of it as a single mom. Sailing Set Her Free is a tribute to a woman who broke barriers and paved the way for other women.