American Sailing Association

American Sailing is the predominant standards bearer and codifier in the arena of recreational sailing education in the Americas and beyond. The organization was founded in 1983 by television producer Lenny Shabes, who felt there was no recognized educational system in place to learn the sport of sailing. Today there are over 400 affiliate schools that teach the American Sailing methods via the many textbooks and other educational aids the organization creates and publishes. Over one million sailors have come through the American Sailing learning system.

In administering this educational structure that includes on-water and written testing, American Sailing certifications are now recognized at charter companies and maritime employers all around the world. They have published textbooks for beginners, coastal cruising sailors, bareboat charterers, dinghy pilots and those looking to buy or charter cruising catamarans. In addition to textbooks, American Sailing has produced educational videos, smart-phone apps, countless webinars, and an interactive digital game that aims to teach and drill rudimentary sailing skills while off the water.

American Sailing is also an avid promoter of the sport of sailing – they are an active contributor in social media and sponsor an app called GO SAILING that enables sailors to connect anywhere they happen to be in the world.

Contributors
One of American Sailing's most renowned and esteemed contributors is Peter Isler who has been part of five America's Cup campaigns, authored two sailing books of his own and is known as one of the most distinguished sailors in the world.

Through the years American Sailing has formed bonds and partnerships with publications and manufacturers. Two of the most prominent are Cruising World Magazine and Beneteau Yachts. Cruising World is arguably sailing's most recognized publication with a large domestic and international circulation. They co-sponsored ASA's Docking Made Easy video series and other projects through the years.

Beneteau Yachts joined forces in 2010 with ASA in creating a small keelboat specifically designed for teaching. The ASA 22 is the product of Beneteau design and engineering combined with American Sailing's deep knowledge of efficient and safe teaching. It has an extended cockpit for group learning sessions and is equipped with roller furling, self-tailing winches and twin rudders.

Certification standards
Sail Training Courses
 * ASA 101: Basic Keelboat Sailing
 * ASA 102: Keelboat Sailing 2
 * ASA 103: Basic Coastal Cruising
 * ASA 104: Bareboat Cruising
 * ASA 105: Coastal Navigation
 * ASA 106: Advanced Coastal Cruising
 * ASA 107: Celestial Navigation
 * ASA 108: Offshore Passagemaking
 * ASA 114: Cruising Catamaran

Endorsement Courses
 * ASA 117: Basic Celestial Endorsement
 * ASA 118: Docking Endorsement
 * ASA 119: Weather Endorsement
 * ASA 120: Radar Endorsement

Online eCourses
 * Your First Sail

Flotillas
The ASA sponsors sailing flotillas around the world. Frequent destinations include the Caribbean, Greece, Croatia, the San Juan Islands, and Tahiti.