Meet NauticEd Instructor Renee Toft
“Boating taught me how capable I really am – and that’s the feeling I want other women to experience.”
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My goal is to help women build confidence behind the wheel. My business partner and I created She Drives, a private community where women can connect, learn, and grow in a safe, supportive space. I focus on breaking boating down step by step by building confidence, understanding the skills, and practicing in a way that feels comfortable. My goal is to give women the tools and guidance they need to become confident, capable boaters while enjoying the journey along the way.
Favorite Type of Boating?
Powerboating.
What’s your “style” of boating?
Performance.
Favorite “type” of boating?
Local Boating.
What got you into Boating?
I’ve been around boating my entire life through friends and family, and I’ve always loved being on the water. There’s something incredibly calming about it, the smell of the water, the wind on my face, and the overall atmosphere have always felt meditative to me.
Over time, I also grew to love the boating culture and the sense of community it creates. The vibe, the connection, and the shared appreciation for life on the water are what truly drew me in and continue to inspire my passion for boating today.
What does boating do (or has done) for you?
Boating has built my confidence in ways I didn’t expect. Learning the skills and trusting myself at the helm showed me how capable I really am, and that’s the feeling I want other women to experience too.
Most memorable boating experience?
One of my most memorable boating moments was hitting triple digits for the first time. I reached exactly 100 mph, and the rush of adrenaline I felt was like nothing I’d ever experienced! That moment made me truly understand the thrill and excitement that draws people to powerboating.
What are a couple of your favorite boating spots?
- Lake Havasu, Arizona
- Parker Strip, Arizona
- San Diego Bay
- Mission Bay
What’s your favorite part about teaching boating students?
My favorite part of teaching is seeing those aha moments, when everything clicks and students start to grasp the concepts with confidence and comfort. Watching that shift is incredibly rewarding.
What advice would you give a new student about boating? An experienced boater?
For a new student:
Everyone starts somewhere, and every experienced boater was once new too. Be patient with yourself, take it step by step, and know that with time and practice, you’ll get there.
For an experienced boater:
Don’t forget the basics and always put safety first. Keep your ego in check, stay open to learning, and remember that there’s always room to improve on the water.
What is a random fact about yourself?
I’m an interior designer and a huge supporter of rescue animals. I currently have three rescue Chihuahuas who keep life entertaining!
What’s on your boating ‘bucket list’?
I’m working toward getting my six-pack license, and I’m planning to attempt running my boat in the Desert Storm Shootout at Lake Havasu this year.
Where can we find you?
On the water – ha ha! But really, here I am.
Author
NauticEd is a fully recognized education and certification platform for sailing students combining online and on-the-water real instruction (and now VR). NauticEd offers +24 online courses, a free sailor's toolkit that includes 2 free courses, and six ranks of certification – all integrated into NauticEd’s proprietary platform. The USCG and NASBLA recognize NauticEd as having met the established American National Standards. Learn more at www.nauticed.org.
The NauticEd Vacations team are Expert Global Yacht Charter Agents – when you book a sailing vacation or bareboat charter through NauticEd, we don’t charge you a fee – we often save you money since we can compare prices from all yacht charter companies. PLUS, we can give you advice on which destination or charter company will suit your needs best. Inquire about a Sailing Vacation or Charter.
