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The world needs skilled sailors.

It takes a courageous soul to take the helm of a sailboat and set out for distant waters – one whose heart beats to answer the call, and whose mind is in tune with all the sea and sailboat will require of them. Sunsets, stories – even family legacies – await just over the horizon. Whether your sailing stories have yet to be written or you’re ready for your next chapter, the world needs competent, safe, well-educated sailors who know how to create a great day on the water for everyone aboard. Welcome aboard, sailor.

Beginners

Learn to sail and become a sailor.

Sailors

Earn advanced sailing certifications.

Professionals

Become a sailing instructor.

ASA certifications for every sailor

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Continuing education with online classes

As an extension of our core curriculum offered at ASA Affiliate Schools, American Sailing offers ongoing sailing education from the comfort of your own home. Each class is a supplement to one of our certification courses, and is structured with interactive presentations by seasoned sailors who answer your live questions during the class. Many of the classes are available on-demand as well, and all classes are available on-demand for a limited time to attendees. Take advantage of this powerful continuation to your sailing education today! American Sailing members enjoy discounted rates.

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Latest articles

The 2025 Lenny Shabes Sailing Festival is in the Books

If you ever wondered what a vacation looks like when sailors, sunshine, and a whole lot of rum come together—this was it. The Lenny Shabes Sailing Festival brought the energy, the camaraderie, and the unforgettable moments that would’ve made Lenny himself raise a glass.

Self-Taught or School-Taught Sailing: Which is Better?

When it comes to learning to sail, this old saying rings especially true. Whether you’re nervously approaching a crowded dock or reefing a mainsail as a squall builds, the ocean doesn’t wait for you to figure it out. So should you teach yourself, learn from friends, or take a course at a sailing school?

From 7-Up to Nuns in Red

Understanding the U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATONs) is essential for safe and confident navigation. In this guide, you’ll get a clear explanation of how to distinguish channel markers, interpret their shapes and numbers, and remember their placement whether you’re sailing up the East Coast or out to sea.

Understanding Lift

If you’ve ever wondered how a sailboat moves forward – even when it’s not running with the wind – you’re not alone. It seems almost magical: a boat with no engine gliding to windward under nothing more than a sheet of cloth. But there’s a beautiful explanation behind it all, rooted in physics and refined by sailors over centuries. The secret? Lift.

Things a Marine Survey Can’t Tell You

Enhance your sailing skills by engaging all six senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, and intuition—to navigate, troubleshoot, and fully experience life on the water.

Sailing Through Stress: Understanding the Stress Continuum at Sea

Enhance your sailing skills by engaging all six senses—sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste, and intuition—to navigate, troubleshoot, and fully experience life on the water.