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Across Oceans

What five offshore races revealed about leadership, teamwork, resilience, and the realities of life at...

7 Lessons Experienced Sailors Learn the Hard Way

7 Cruising Lessons Experienced Sailors Learn the Hard Way shares practical wisdom for safer, smarter,...

summertime sailing

The Summer I Started Sailing

A sailor reflects on a transformative first summer learning the unglamorous realities of sailing —...

A sailboat on a sunny day

I Never Planned to Become a Sailor

One skeptical sail in Grenada turned into a passion for sailing and travel that reshaped...

Who is Kirsten Neuschäfer and Where is She Sailing?

The Golden Globe Race is currently winding down, and the sailors are headed back to Les Sables-d’Olonne, France. In fact, they are a few days out from returning. The race is fairly basic in nature as it began in Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, on September 4th, 2022, and the contestants sail solo, non-stop, around the world, via the five Great Capes

Earth Day 2023: American Sailing Launches Sustainable Membership Cards

As part of American Sailing’s ongoing commitment to our environment through the Plastic Pollution Purge Initiative, beginning this Earth Day, we are no longer issuing plastic membership cards. We are releasing newly designed, sustainable, print-at-home membership cards to reduce our use of plastic and so that our members and instructors can still enjoy the benefits of carrying a physical card

Should You Choose A Charter Sailing Vacation?

A great piece of advice given to me by American Sailing Founder Lenny Shabes, when considering sailing with others. Have six people over for dinner on your boat. 4 for a daysail and 2 for an overnight trip. These are words of wisdom when considering a chartered sailing vacation. How, when, and where you go decide on your sailing vacation

Handling Marine Emergencies

Emergencies at sea are extremely serious and require a prepared crew to take control of the situation. While you may take sailing courses to become proficient out on the water, emergencies can arise, and being prepared for anything that comes your way is essential. Experience will teach you how to determine whether an incident is an irritant you can remedy

Learn to Sail While On Vacation

What could be better than getting away and learning to sail to refresh your zest for life? If you have completed your ASA 101 training and have been sailing for a while, it might be time to move to the next level. This is the time to consider advancing your sailing education by earning your ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising

Summer Sailstice June 24, 2023 🔉

On Saturday, June 24, 2023, American Sailing is again a Gold Level Sponsor of the 23rd annual Summer Sailstice, the biggest sail event of the year where everybody everywhere sails at the same time! Founded back in Feb 2001 by John Arndt, Publisher of Latitude 38, Summer Sailstice is the annual global celebration of sailing held on the weekend nearest

How to Graduate from Cruiser to Racer — Steps to Start Racing Sailboats 🔉

So often in the sailing world, we’re presented with a question that takes binary form — “are you a cruiser or a racer?” Sure, people tend to have their preferences, but I’d like to propose one can embrace both dimensions of sailing in the same way one can appreciate both fine art and Formula 1. I have two boys who

Featured Instructor: Captain Cara Brown

Cara Brown is living your dream life. This American Sailing sailing instructor is teaching and sailing in the British Virgin Islands with Horizon Sailing School. Her life is about adventure and following a dream to work outdoors and share her passions. Ask her about it, and she’ll explain that she traded in her Giant Slalom skis and ski parka for

Steps to Buying a Sailboat

I will let you on a secret. I bought my first bought before I knew how to sail. But, I wanted to sail my entire life, and every time I walked through the marina, I would gaze at the sailboats. I would do my internal math to compute the affordability of owning a sailing vessel. I asked myself all the

Tying a Clove Hitch

A clove hitch is a knot commonly used in boating. It is named after its shape, which resembles a clove, a small aromatic bulb often used in cooking. How To Tie a Clove Hitch: The resulting knot is secure, easy to tie and untie, and can attach a rope to an object or join two ropes together. However, it is

Sail Trim for Cruisers: Why Trim Your Sails?

A rumor is going around the American Sailing offices that trimming your sails makes for more efficient sailing. That rumor is directed at my sailing technique. First, let me explain why I sail. On any given day, I can sail with no destination in mind. I have nowhere to go and nowhere to be. So, I raise the main and

Sailing Cyprus with Bluewave Tashoots

Sailing in the Mediterranean is a natural progression for many sailors who charter in the Caribbean. The exotic location rich with sun and culture makes the “the Med” a popular destination among sailors and travelers alike. In addition, Cyprus and the eastern Mediterranean are alive with attractions to make any sailor salivate at the thought of visiting for a weeklong

International Women’s Day

March 8, is International Women’s Day (IWD), and American Sailing wants to salute women sailors worldwide. International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. American Sailing schools have been working to promote women in sailing throughout our

Featured School: Horizon Sailing School

Horizon Sailing School in the British Virgin Islands is located in Nanny Cay on the south shore of Tortola with a window to the cruising grounds of the BVI. They offer ASA courses as well as charter services with a fleet of sailing yachts for everything from ASA 101 to ASA 114. Horizon Sailing School is a destination for the

North U’s Women’s Performance Racing Week

North U Women's Performance Race Week is a week-long sailing program designed specifically for women. North U offers various programs and resources to help sailors improve their skills and performance. This racing program is different because it is designed specifically for women.

Peter Isler, Appointed as Chairman of the Board of American Sailing

The American Sailing (ASA) announces that Peter Isler has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Board, effective immediately. Isler, a world-renowned sailor, America’s Cup veteran, and best-selling author, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the ASA. Isler fills the role left open when ASA’s founder and long-time Chairman of the Board passed away in January. As

7 Tips For The Beginning Sailor

There are the obvious things you need when you go sailing, sunscreen, a hat, a windbreaker, non-skid shoes, and wind. However, what do you really need to be ready to head out on the water? These are a few sailing tips to keep you safe and that ensure that you have a fun time out on the water. Looking to

What is a Flying Bowline?

A flying bowline is a type of knot that is commonly used in sailing. It is a variation of the bowline knot, which is a strong and reliable knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope. Other variations of a bowline are known as a bowline on a bight, a double bowline, or a Yosemite