Learn To Sail

Welcome to the World of Sailing

Sailing is one of the oldest sports on earth. By learning to sail, you join millions of people who have explored Earth’s oceans by harnessing the power of wind.

Sailing opens up the entire world for travel, living, and exploration. It is the ultimate wanderlust sport. Once you learn to sail, you will forever be changed as the world of journeys and opportunities open up. Sail weekends on your local lake or explore the Italian coast chartering a boat with your family that you skipper yourself.

There is much to learn, and knowing exactly where to start can be confusing. As the world’s leader in sailing education, American Sailing (ASA) has an extensive library of resources and tools to help prepare you for taking on-the-water classes at one of our more than 400 schools worldwide.

Get Started

Begin your sailing education with American Sailing’s structured curriculum, starting with ASA 101: Basic Keelboat Sailing. This foundational class introduces you to essential sailing terminology, boat parts and functions, basic sail trim, and fundamental navigation rules. Upon completion, you’ll be prepared to skipper a sloop-rigged keelboat in light to moderate conditions.

3 Resources for new sailors

Textbooks

ASA’s official textbooks, such as Sailing Made Easy and Coastal Cruising Made Easy, are guides that complement your hands-on training. Richly illustrated and clearly written, they cover essential concepts and techniques, serving as invaluable references throughout your sailing education.

Articles

Dive into a wealth of knowledge with ASA’s extensive collection of articles. Covering topics from beginner tips to advanced techniques, these articles are crafted by seasoned sailors and educators to deepen your understanding of the sailing world. Regularly updated, they serve as a valuable resource for continuous learning and staying informed about the latest in sailing.

Apps

Enhance your learning experience with ASA’s mobile applications. The “Sailing Challenge” app offers interactive simulations to practice sailing maneuvers, while the “Go Sailing” app connects you with fellow sailors for shared adventures. These tools provide practical, on-the-go learning and networking opportunities to complement your formal training.

Get ASA Certified

ASA offers a certification program recognized by charter companies and sailors worldwide. Starting with basic keelboat sailing and advancing to offshore passagemaking, each certification builds upon the previous, ensuring a structured learning path. These credentials not only validate your skills but also enhance your credibility when chartering boats globally.

ASA Logbook

Track your sailing progress with the ASA Logbook. This personal record allows you to document courses completed, certifications earned, and sea time accumulated. Maintaining an up-to-date logbook is essential for advancing through ASA’s certification levels and serves as a testament to your sailing experience.

International Proficiency Certificate

The ASA’s International Proficiency Certificate (IPC) is an important document for sailors aspiring to charter vessels internationally. Accepted in many countries, the IPC certifies that you meet the competency standards required for bareboat chartering abroad, simplifying the process and broadening your sailing horizons.

Veterans Program

ASA honors military veterans by offering specialized programs and discounts. These initiatives aim to make sailing education accessible to those who have served, providing opportunities to acquire new skills and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of sailing. Explore our Veterans Program to learn more about how ASA supports the veteran community.

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A wise man or woman once said, knowledge is power. Nowhere is this truer than in sailing, where the more you learn, the more worlds of sailing fun are opened up to you.

Like most things in life, the key to success is a good education. Courses from an ASA sailing school are designed to be thorough and enjoyable, and to leave you feeling confident on the boat. Each level expands your comfort zone, beginning with basic boat handling and continuing with coastal cruising and eventually offshore, blue-water sailing! How far you go depends on your goals and dreams as a sailor.

Often the biggest obstacle a new sailor has to overcome is not the weather or the waves, but the feeling of being overwhelmed and not sure of themselves. The more training you have, and the more time you spend on the water, the more your confidence will grow.

Take the example of Karen, who put off learning to sail for years due to uncertainty about her ability, instead telling herself she would do it “someday.” But, Karen says, she realized that “someday may never come, and if I was going to do the things I wanted to do then now was the time. Tomorrow was no guarantee. So I contacted an ASA school in Panama City Beach, FL and signed up for my lessons.”

Karen continues: “Where do I begin to explain what sailing has done for me? When I was sailing, I didn’t think about anything or anyone. No problems, no work, just me and the boat and the water and wind and all of mother nature. I felt one with the boat. I felt like I was home! It put a smile in my heart and on my face. I always want to sail, there is so much to learn and do, I will never be bored.”

Karen told me that getting a quality sailing education “completely changed [her] attitude about life.” She has plans to continue taking ASA courses and is only having more fun as she learns. Stories like these are the reason we do what we do. One of the best things about these courses is that they can be fantastic sailing adventures in themselves. Many of our schools are located in, or teach classes in, the Caribbean and other exotic locales. That means you could combine a wonderful tropical vacation with a chance to make huge strides in your sailing skills! Learn to sail near you, or look at our list of schools outside the U.S. to find out more.

If you want to learn to sail the right way, and have a great time doing it, ASA courses are for you. You can even get started online, with our instructive and fun e-course, Your First Sail. We can’t wait to see you out there on the water!

ADVERTISMENT

Welcome to the World of Sailing

Get Started

3 Resources for new sailors

Textbooks

Articles

Apps

Get ASA Certified

ASA Logbook

International Proficiency Certificate

Veterans Program

The More You Know, the More Fun Sailing Is!

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