You don’t need brute strength to command a sailboat—just the right techniques.
Whether hoisting sails or hauling anchors, sailing is less about muscle and more about method.
While traditional sailing techniques often rely on brute strength, tailoring your approach to your physiology unlocks smarter, more efficient ways to sail. With the right strategies, you'll reduce injury risk, boost your confidence, and create more inclusive, capable crews. This 90-minute online course offers immediately actionable techniques for handling sails, anchoring, and dinghy operations with efficiency and ease. These strategies emphasize brain over brawn—making sailing smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.
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ONLINE COURSE OVERVIEW
Who is this online class for?
This class is all sailors—whether you're racing dinghies, chartering with friends, coastal cruising, or preparing for offshore adventures. If you've ever struggled with the “standard” way of doing things, this course will show you the smarter way.
What Will I Learn?
Discover how proper body mechanics and smart technique can transform the way you handle heavy or high-load tasks onboard. This course will show you that it’s not about brute strength—it’s about working smarter, not harder. Learn how to apply leverage, minimize strain, and reduce the risk of injury by replacing force with simple, effective strategies. You’ll build confidence, protect your body, and empower yourself and your crew with inclusive approaches that make sailing safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
List of Topics:
- Smarter Techniques for Handling the Main
- Jib Trimming Without the Tug-of-War
- Anchoring Strategies That Don’t Break Your Back
- Dinghy Management Made Easy
- MOB (Man Overboard) Recovery with Less Muscle, More Precision
Why strength looks different on the water
It’s Not About Force—It’s About Form
You don’t need to overpower your boat—you need to outsmart it. This course helps you understand how to use leverage, angles, and your own physiology to your advantage, so you can handle real tasks with less effort and more control.
Small Adjustments, Big Payoffs
Efficiency isn’t always flashy, but it adds up. This class teaches you those subtle but game-changing moves that help you avoid injury, reduce fatigue, and work with your body—not against it.
Sail Smarter, Sail Longer
When sailing feels easier and more intuitive, you build confidence, stay safer, and enjoy yourself more. These smarter strategies make every task on deck—from winching to anchoring—more doable, even in tough conditions.
YOUR HOST
KIM WALTHER
ST. AUGUSTINE SAILING
Kim Walther, an instructor at St. Augustine Sailing, boasts a 100-ton near coastal (offshore) USCG captain’s license with sailing and towing addendums. With 33 years of teaching experience (having taught over 3,000 students), she attributes her mastery to diverse experiences and continual skill refinement. Recognized as an ASA instructor of 101, 103, 104, 105, 114, 116, and 118 and honored ASA Instructor of the Year, Kim has refined her expertise through an impressive accumulation of over 10,000 practice hours. Her passion for sailing extends to classes, charters, deliveries, and races (both inland and offshore). Kim has experience operating various vessels, including, currently, 21'6" Hunter sloops as well as Jeanneau 349 sloops, Jeanneau 41’ and 44’ sloops, a Lagoon 44 catamaran, and even a 49-passenger pontoon boat with twin 200 hp engines.
ONLINE CLASS REGISTRATION
TUEsday, MAY 20th@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)
Regular Price
$39
ASA Member Price
$29
ON-DEMAND ACCESS
All registrations include unlimited on-demand access to the recordings of the live online class. So if you are unable to attend live you can still register and watch at your leisure.
ASA MEMBER DISCOUNT
American Sailing Members can claim their discount in the Member Portal. If you're not a current member then for only $59/year you can join or renew today!
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