American Sailing Association Certification Program

 The American Sailing Association (ASA) is an association of sailing schools, professional sailing instructors, sailors and charter companies. There are over 180 affiliated sailing schools located throughout the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, offering the ASA certification programs to individuals who meet the minimum requirements.

 ASA was established with the goal of increasing sailing safety by establishing standards for sailing education. In nearly every other nation where sailing is popular, there is some sort of organization overseeing educational standards. Until ASA implemented its certification program in 1983, there was no such unity in the U.S.

 ASA educational system has a strong heritage. Rather than starting at ground zero, the founders of ASA studied programs available in other countries. Eventually the Canadian Yachting Association's (CYA) "Learn to Cruise" program was selected and licensed by ASA for use in the U.S. The system continues to be improved upon through the valuable input of the ASA school network. The ASA works closely with other nations through the International Sailing Schools Association (ISSA) in an effort to co-ordinate international standards.

 The certification program has been immensely successful in the U.S. There is no other program like it. By meeting established criteria, a sailing school may offer ASA certification to students. The most rigorous of the requirements concerns the school's instructional staff. Instructors must be certified at Instructor Qualification Clinic (IQCS) conducted by Instructor Evaluators. The intensive clinic measures the instructor candidate's knowledge of sailing and seamanship, practical sailing ability and teaching ability. The ASA Instructor Training Program is extremely demanding because of the importance ASA places on the professional instructor. Nearly 3000 instructors have been qualified as ASA Certified Instructors. Only these instructors are empowered to certify students to the ASA system.

 This intensive quality control is designed to ensure that a student can be confident that they will receive quality instruction at any ASA school. The benefits of certification are immediately obvious. The ASA system has seven levels of certification. The newcomer begins at the ASA Basic Keelboat Sailing Standard. Upon successful completion of the first course, (which includes both written and practical on-the-water exams), the student receives a seal, for his personal Logbook as proof of their competence at the first level of certification.

 All standards have a written exam that tests the student at the appropriate level. All standards, except the two navigation levels, require a practical on-the-water checkout. The ashore and afloat requirements for each standard are outlined in the ASA Log Book.

 The ASA system promotes continuing education. There is always more for a sailor to learn. Upper level standards provide goals to be achieved and challenge the experienced sailor's ability. ASA certification is recognized at over 130 sailing clubs and charter companies in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Many offer rental/charter discounts to sailors who are certified above the Basic Coastal Cruising level. The sailor's official ASA Log Book provides proof of ability that can make charter checkouts easier and less time-consuming. The Bareboat Charter Standard is specifically designed for this purpose.

 For the experienced sailor, ASA offers the opportunity to "challenge" the system. Individuals must simply pass the written and practical sailing requirements of the desired standard with an instructor aboard. This enables the experienced sailor to become certified without having to take a course at school.

 ASA has come a long way towards achieving its goals. By establishing national standards for sailing education, ASA has ensured that more people will be brought into the sport safely with the proper training and respect for their responsibilities as boaters. ASA certification provides a meaningful measure of a sailor's ability and a structure for the sailing industry. Ultimately, it will be through this sort of self-policing that sailing will keep the specter of mandatory government licensing out of our sport.

 Let’s Go Sailing 6122 Long Drive, Houston, Texas 77087-2008 (832-221-4431 or 800-950-7035)