Welcome to Your First Sail, the American Sailing Association’s short, fun online eCourse designed to familiarize you with the world of sailing, one that some see as a sport and others choose as a lifestyle. Click here to learn more about ASA eCourses.

Latest News from American Sailing Association

• LOS ANGELES –May 3, 2012 – The American Sailing Association (ASA) has announced the release of its latest book, Coastal Cruising Made Easy, which will serve as the new official textbook for the ASA’s Basic Coastal Cruising Standard course, ASA 103. Published in full color and containing striking world-class sailing photography from adventure photographer Billy Black, Coastal Cruising Made Easy  features include a water-resistant cover, an extensive glossary of sailing terms, and a unique and definitive layout of full two-page diagrams throughout the book. This easy to read teaching tool follows the critically acclaimed Sailing Made Easy, released in 2010, which has become the new industry standard in sailing education. Click here to see sample pages of the book and Click here to buy.
  
  
• Attention ASA Members! The American Sailing Association has partnered with Harris Connect to produce our 2012 Member Showcase Album! Be on the lookout for information on how you can participate in this first ever publication. Click here for details.
  

• New to ASA - Find a Charter Company & Find a Sailing Club - We have added two new sections to our website: Find a Charter Company and Find a Sailing Club. These sections are accessible from most pages on our website. Just look for the button in the left navigation panel to find a Charter Company or Sailing Club in your area.

• ASA SAILING WEEK June 15th thru June 22nd, 2012 - Come to Sailing Camp this summer for the sailor and non-sailor alike! The American Sailing Association is teaming up with the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Marina in beautiful St. Petersburg Florida to bring you a fantastic week of sailing and fun under the sun.  The activities will range from casual day sailing aboard keelboats from Beneteau, Catalina and Hunter, to docking and man overboard skills practice, learn teamwork on fun races or try small boat sailing, fly a spinnaker, learn new knot tying skills and lots more! Whether you prefer to sail, visit the spa, or just lay by the pool, you’ll have plenty of like-minded people around. Click here.

• ASA MONTHLY E-NEWS - To access previous issues of the ASA monthly
  E-Newsletter click here
  
  
• ASA Local Sailing Club - The American Sailing Association launches its Local Sailing Club program.  Participation is open to anyone who has an interest in sailing or learning more about sailing should click here to find out more…
  
  FLOTILLAS
  
• Greek Islands Flotilla June 9-16, 2012 - Join ASA in the beautiful Saronic Gulf of the Greek Isles. Enjoy lively travernas, shopping and relaxing in quiet bays with fellow sailors. Click here
  
  
• Victoria and San Juan Islands Flotilla, June 15-22, 2012 - This flotilla will visit the historic Canadian city of Victoria, which boasts a spectacular harbor. Other stops include tranquil, seldom-visited Winter Cove in the Canadian Gulf Islands as well as Rosario on Orcas Island and Roche Harbor in the beautiful San Juan Islands of northwest Washington. Wildlife abounds in these areas and includes bald eagles and orca whales. Click here
   
  
• Aegean Rally July 14-23, 2012 & Aegean Regatta August 18-26, 2012  Why not join the ASA this summer in the Greek Islands? Join the crew of a 57ft racing ketch as she races around the Greek islands. 2 regattas to choose from each sailing in totally different island groups. Click here for general info. You may also download a 16-page brochure
  
  
• Croatia Flotillas Week 1 September 1-8, 2012 and Week 2 September 8-15, 2012 - Join us for one week or both as we cruise the blue waters of the Dalmatian coast from Split to Dubrovnik and back to Split.  Historic sites, gorgeous scenery, mouthwatering food and fantastic sailing will make this a vacation you will never forget. Click here
  
  
• Pine Islands Sound Flotilla September 22-September29, 2012 - Join ASA as we visit the beautiful barrier islands of Southwest Florida. Cruising catamaran and keelboats are available.  Click here
  
  
• Grenada Flotilla October 3-13, 2012 in the  Southern Caribbean! - SOLD OUT! - Grenada, the Tobago Cays, and a dozen other enchanting islands call to you. Discover beautiful white and black sand beaches, spice plantations, rum distilleries, coral gardens, world-class snorkeling, and superb tradewind sailing with air and water in the 80's. This is a sailor's paradise... Click here
  
  
• Catalina Newport Flotilla, October 13-20, 2012 - Catalina Newport Flotilla  October 13-20, 2012  Tour the warm blue waters of Southern California with dozens of dolphins in your bow wake. From bustling Marina del Rey, to the far-away feel of Catalina Island, and back to historic ports on the SoCal coast, this trip may encounter a combination of wildlife unique to this area (wild buffalo, migrating blue whales, California sea lions, and more!). Click here
  
  
• British Virgin Islands Flotilla December 7 – 16, 2012 -Join the American Sailing Association on an island hopping odyssey through the British Virgin Islands. The BVI’s are located just east of Puerto Rico, steady trade winds and warm waters combine to make the British Virgin Islands one of the best cruising locations in the world. Click here
  

• The New ASA Social Media Link found here and in the Header Navigation Bar, is the portal to the ASA Blog, ASA Facebook page, ASA Twitter account and ASA Youtube Channel. Join us in the conversation and adventure.
  
  
• The ASA Store is now open. Drop in and experience great savings on gear, books, clothing and much more. Members also save 20% on all items.
  


• The Recreational PowerBoating Association (RPBA) was formed in 2009 in a direct response to the need for a national powerboater education program that emphasizes a practical, hands on approach. The RPBA’s mission is to be the leader in delivering the highest quality practical powerboater education in the United States, emphasizing safety, knowledge and practice as the confidence-building cornerstones to promote the powerboating lifestyle.
  Visit the RPBA website for more information:www.TheRPBA.com


• Boater Education Card- By taking a boating safety course with the American Sailing Association's partner, BoaterExam.com™, you help make our waterways safer and more enjoyable. Your boater education card may help you avoid fines from states where mandatory boater education laws are in effect, and may also entitle you to a reduction on your marine insurance. More information...


• Endorsements - ASA has added several "Endorsement" courses to our certification program. Endorsements provide in-depth study of a single topic such as radar, weather, docking or basic celestial navigation and are not requirements for the 101 through 108 sequence.
  
• Attention ASA Instructors Check out ASA's Radar Course


• Join ASA - What are you waiting for? Membership gives you a world of opportunities
  and benefits to increase your sailing pleasure and knowledge.