By Jean ComptonThe News Bulletin
Apr 02 2005

Know the ropes, chart your course, weather a storm; these are just a few nautical cliches that reflect how sailing is a metaphor for life.
Captain Valma Brenton believes that learning how to sail helps people build confidence that's transferable to all aspects of their lives.
"Sailing is a holistic activity that strengthens the body, mind and spirit," she said.
Brenton has taken her passion for sailing and combined it with a desire to empower and support other women in her business, Herizen - Sailing for Women.
She has sailed the waters of many countries. Highly skilled and multi-lingual, she could live pretty well wherever she chose, but she has decided to make Nanaimo her home - at least from May to October, where she teaches sailing and self-empowerment to other women.
The rest of the time, she sails and teaches in Mexico, the Caribbean and Chile.
"I had a vision that I was supposed to teach," she says.
By chance, Brenton met the original owner of Herizen who was going away for two years, and offered to buy the company.
That was a year ago and since then, she has attracted 50 women from all over the world to learn sailing in Nanaimo.
"Nanaimo is such a great place. I want to support this community. I've been building a team of affiliates here," she said, mentioning the businesses she works with to provide accommodation, food and meeting spaces for her students.
While learning to take the helm, Brenton's students learn all about the boat, the weather, navigation, safety, life-saving skills and more.
"It's very rewarding to see women gain confidence and strength," Brenton said.
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Brenton is a living example of her belief that anything is possible. She has a range of life and work experiences, all to do with the sea, and has followed her passion to create the lifestyle she loves.
For 25 years she has sailed the B.C. Coast, Hawaii, Belize, the British Virgin Islands and Mexico on boats ranging from six to 15 metres long
In the last five years Brenton has single handedly sailed her 7.2-metre racer/cruiser San Juan sloop.
She has also captained and crewed on scuba dive charters and fishing boats, and has been a business owner, author and photojournalist. Brenton is trained in consegrity, a form of energy medicine, and has taught self-awareness programs and survival first aid. She is also a mother who raised her children on her own.
Sailing has always been at the centre of her life.
After a crippling accident, Brenton regained her strength through sailing.
"Sailing uses both sides of the brain and the body," she said.
Now Brenton plans to take a different tack, with plans to expand her business to support empowerment training for women in all areas, not just in sailing.
From May to October, Brenton will be running a series of sailing retreats, seminars and a speaker series.
To find out more about the events, please call 753-4253 or visit www.sailingforwomen.com.