Sailing courses are available for beginners and advanced students seeking US sailing certification. Courses cover sailing terminology, rules, and applied training. Private schools certified by the American Sailing Association or US Sailing are available, as well as low-cost sailing lessons. Good physical condition is required.
Sailing is a fun and rewarding hobby for many boating enthusiasts, but it requires some training to learn how to properly operate a sailboat. Sailing courses are available for beginners and advanced students seeking US sailing certification. Courses vary considerably depending on the size of the boat and the sailing environment. Prospective students should begin training in small boats in calm water. After gaining experience and confidence, more advanced students should focus on learning about the types of boats and environments they plan to sail in the future.
People interested in learning to sail may consider private schools certified by the American Sailing Association (ASA) or US Sailing. ASA has certified schools in 39 states and at least 10 countries around the world. Ideally, sailboats used for training will have been inspected for safety by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, but this inspection is only available in certain areas. In some coastal regions, community centers and schools offer low-cost sailing lessons to the general public. These types of programs can provide a solid introduction to navigation for many people.
The ASA and US sailing course curricula are similar in composition, with various types of classes and endorsements ranging from introductory to advanced. Some of the advanced courses may have prerequisites. Courses cover sailing terminology and rules of sailing, as well as applied training in the use of knots, sails and other equipment. Some schools may only offer some of the most popular introductory classes for students. Other schools offer private sailing lessons for those looking for a more individualized experience.
Prospective students who don’t live near a sailing school or cannot afford sailing courses might consider getting instruction from a friend or family member or opting for a self-study course. Self-paced sailing courses are available online or as a set of books or digital video discs (DVDs) and can help a new sailor adapt to specialized sailing jargon and concepts. Owning and operating a sailboat usually doesn’t require any specific certification or testing, and many people learn to sail without attending a sailing school.
Anyone interested in learning to sail must be in good physical condition. Part of the ASA’s Basic Small Boat Sailing Standard requires students to be able to be in the water for five minutes and swim 100 meters. Handling rigging and sails can also require good physical strength. The ASA recommends that new students already have a basic understanding of first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and stopping bleeding.
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