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Wind vs. Wifi

There’s an old saying passed down through seasoned skippers: You don’t really know sailing until...

Self-Taught or School-Taught Sailing

When it comes to learning to sail, this old saying rings especially true. Whether you’re...

instructor development week 2025

Instructor Development Week 2025

Instructor Development Week 2025: LTD instructors gather in Grenada for a week of sailing, learning,...

The Sailor's Sidekick

The Sailor’s Sidekick

Rigging Knives The Sailors’ Sidekick explains why marlinspike knives remain essential tools for safety, seamanship,...

The Sailing Season: Seattle As a Sailing Destination

Why Sail in Seattle? Take a moment and breathe in the crisp air on Puget Sound. Feel the wind as it moves across the water and through your hair. Mount Baker in the distance Victoria to the north and the Pacific Ocean beyond a series of islands heading out west. For the lover of the outdoors, the Pacific Northwest is

American Sailing Purchases Racing Educator North U

American Sailing (ASA) has acquired North U, a performance sail racing education company that teaches sailors sail trim, tactics, and strategy to win races. American Sailing affiliate schools will soon have the opportunity to teach North U courses to their students, expanding the target audience from recreational cruising sailors to also include racers.

ASA’S Veteran Sailing Education Program

In November 2018, American Sailing launched its Veterans Sailing Education Program aimed at getting more veterans out on the water. America’s premier sail education authority is taking advantage of its unique position to express its gratitude to these brave individuals by offering ASA’s basic sailing course (ASA 101) at a special rate. “We believe that sailing places people in the

Where To Go After You Set The Hook

I had not sung karaoke since college, and I wasn’t really planning on starting. If you spend time with sailors, they tend to want to have a good time, and too much of a good time means you’ll be doing something you might later regret. I belted out a song at Stan and Joe’s Saloon, and I probably had a

American Sailing Founder and Chairman Lenny Shabes dies at 74

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Leonard “Lenny” Stanley Shabes on January 26th, 2023 in Marina del Rey, California. Lenny founded the American Sailing Association in 1983. Lenny was a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend. He will be truly missed by all that were blessed to have known and loved him.

Where Do You Get Your Weather?

Where do you get your weather info before you go sailing? I sit in front of a computer, miles away from my sailboat, and I make a plan for the coming week of sailing. I check the weather. I check the forecast. My search becomes more extensive when on a charter or in unfamiliar waters. If it’s hurricane season, I

Starpath School of Navigation

Online Sailing Courses Starpath School of Navigation has been offering courses for over 30 years and is an American Sailing Affiliate. Starpath has taught classroom courses since 1978, having had more than 30,000 classroom students when they switched to all online training in 2002; They have had thousands of online students since then. Their extensive classroom experience is the foundation

True Spirit, an Interview with Jessica Watson

True Spirit, available only on Netflix, on February 3, 2023, captures the essence of sailing from the exhilarating sailing sequences to the abysmal loneliness to the harrowing storms. Reacquaint yourself with the story that captured the world’s attention when a teenager decided to attempt to become the youngest sailor to sail non-stop around the globe. You will feel the wind

American Sailing Appoints Jonathan Payne, Executive Director

Jonathan Payne has been appointed Executive Director of the American Sailing Association. Payne takes over the position held by American Sailing Association Founder, Lenny Shabes. American Sailing celebrates 40 years since its founding in 1983.

Meet Some American Sailing Instructors

American Sailing is a worldwide sailing education organization started 40 years ago by our founder Lenny Shabes. Back then, Lenny saw a need for a structured sailing education system and set out to build what you know as American Sailing today. 40 years have passed, and today American Sailing boasts sailing schools around the globe and over half a million

How To Learn To Sail

“I have always wanted to learn to sail” How many times have you said this or heard someone say it? “How can I get started with sailing? How do I learn to sail?” At American Sailing, we hear that phrase on a daily basis. We will let you in on the answer. It’s simple. You won’t have to buy a

Tips From The Text “Tides and Currents”

ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising includes an understanding of tides and currents and how they affect your sailing plans. Have you studied a tide table lately?

Member Event: American Sailing Croatia Charter

Join American Sailing in Croatia as we explore the country in a multi-day sail filled with rich culture, delicious wine, and picturesque ports.

Featured School: Bow to Stern Sailing School

Bow to Stern Sailing school operates in the sailing capital of North Carolina and is along the intra-coastal waterway.

Interactive Media Classes (Online Learning)

It’s no secret that the COVID-19 crisis has changed our lives forever, and the sailing world is no different. From closed marinas to social distancing on sailboats, ASA has begun to re-examine what the new normal will look like once we are all allowed to return to our daily routines. One thing that ASA did learn is that there is

Do You Want to Be an ASA Sailing Instructor?

You love sailing and you love to share your expertise, you might be a sailing instructor. Find out how to start teaching the art of sailing and get paid for it.

Women on the Water: Seattle Sailing Club

Take a look at the Women's Sailing program at Seattle Sailing Club. From racing to education to plain old sailing fun in Puget Sound

Mediterranean Mooring: What Is It and Why?

The Mediterranean Moor is a hybrid of anchoring, rafting, and docking used in regions where there is little room and tidal range.