Become a
Sailor
Join 600k+ sailors who started their sailing journey with American Sailing.
find a school
take your first class
build confidence
keep going
Simple steps
to start sailing
find a school
Choose from over 400+ worldwide schools – get started at your local sailing club, or book a learn to sail vacation.
Take your first class ASA 101
Become a sailor with ASA 101 Keelboat Sailing 1. Learn the language of sailing and practice essential skills like hoisting sails, tacking, and navigating safely on the water.
Build confidence
ASA 102 & Beyond
Continue your sailing education with American Sailing. Progress your skills and prepare for more advanced and independent cruising.
Keep Going Sail the world
Unlock a world of travel and adventure. American Sailing certifications are a doorway to bareboat chartering, destination flotillas and sailing cruises around the globe.
find a school
Choose from over 400+ worldwide schools – get started at your local sailing club, or book a learn to sail vacation.
Take your first class ASA 101
Become a sailor with ASA 101 Keelboat Sailing 1. Learn the language of sailing and practice essential skills like hoisting sails, tacking, and navigating safely on the water.
Build confidence ASA 102 & BEYOND
Continue your sailing education with American Sailing. Progress your skills and prepare for more advanced and independent cruising.
Keep Going Sail the world
Unlock a world of travel and adventure. American Sailing certifications are a doorway to bareboat chartering, destination flotillas and sailing cruises around the globe.
Not quite ready to set sail?
test the waters with our online learn to sail course.
Gretchen W.
“Learning to sail together taught my partner and I that it’s possible to achieve our dreams, no matter how big. Now we can’t wait to travel to new places together.”
Brad W.
“I recognized that sailing was more than a sport or daytime activity. Cruising is a lifestyle—one that appealed to me very much!”
Jean
“Sailing reminded me how good it feels to let go a little, stop overthinking everything, and just fully be in the moment.”
Chris
“What I didn’t expect was how healing sailing would feel. There’s something about being out on the water that quiets your mind enough to finally hear yourself again.”
Kim
“It still amazes me that a random week on boats with strangers turned into friendships that became part of my real life.”
Frank C.
“That trip brought my father and me even closer. Not only has sailing given me numerous hours of quiet serenity, but it also allowed me to give a little something back to my father who has given me so much.”
Will
“Sailing trips somehow create the kind of days you could never plan if you tried.”
Sundhe
“I didn’t realize how badly I needed that kind of quiet until I found it out there.”
Jerry
“I remember sitting there thinking, “I can’t believe this is real life.” Every spot we went to we were meeting with friends and not visitors.”
Frank C.
“That is what sailing is all about for me. Making connections or re-connecting with family, with friends, or even with strangers who become your friends because of your shared love of sailing.”
Stephanie J.
“I asked my wife, Melissa, ‘How would you like to retire onto a sailboat?’ She said, ‘When do we leave?’ [We completed] our ASA certifications, and I now have over 30 days as skipper under my belt in five different countries!”
Steve B.
“The next day, we completed a short passage past Kick ‘em Jenny, an active submarine volcano, and picked up a mooring ball off Sandy Island, near Carriacou. That is where my perspective changed. I recognized that sailing was more than a sport or daytime activity. Cruising is a lifestyle—one that appealed to me very much!”
Regionald T.
Ceclia W.
“I didn’t learn to sail until I was 71. Not only did I learn to sail and race, but I also started a Substack for beginning sailors: Sailing Forever, Forever Sailing.”
Sailing is more than a skill
frequently asked questions
DO I NEED PRIOR SAILING EXPERIENCE TO JOIN?
Not at all! Our courses are designed for complete beginners. You’ll start with the fundamentals — boat terminology, safety procedures, and basic sailing techniques — so you can feel confident from day one on the water.
How long does it take to get certified?
Not long at all! Most students complete their ASA 101 course in a single weekend, while some courses extend for a full week.
What should I wear and bring to class?
Comfort matters most, since weather will dictate how you dress — but you don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe just for an afternoon sail. In other words, don’t overthink it for your first outing.
Do I need to know how to swim?
What is the student-to-instructor ratio?
The typical student-to-instructor ration is 4 to 1. You can expect lots of hands on practice as you work to master basic sailing skills, as well as time to observe your fellow classmates. Many sailing schools also offer private or semi-private instruction, if you prefer a 1-1 learning experience.
Is sailing certification recognized nationally?
Yes, American Sailing is the most widely recognized sailing certification in the country and accepted at the vast majority of U.S. sailing schools, clubs, and charter operations. If your goal is to charter internationally, American Sailing offers a pathway to getting your International Proficiency Certificate.
why get asa certified?
600k+
certifiedsailors
40+
years
400+
sailing schools
worldwide
American Sailing offers a certification program recognized by charter companies and sailors worldwide. By following a structured learning path, these credentials not only validate your skills but also enhance your credibility when chartering boats globally. Plus, you’re now part of a worldwide community of sailors.