Virgin Islands Sailing FAQs :
Whether you are a novice sailor or a seasoned pro, taking sailing lessons are an important part of sailing safety and honing in your skills! Go Sail Virgin Islands offers a variety of ASA courses for sailing students. Here are a few of the most common questions we receive about them:
What are ASA courses?
ASA courses are the American Sailing Association certification courses for learning to sail. These courses prepare you for being able to take a boat out on your own! ASA 101 prepares you to sail and skipper a keelboat up to 27 feet long. More advanced courses teach you how to sail different types and sizes of boats. Other advanced courses also teach you additional skills that are helpful while sailing, such as ASA 118: Docking Endorsement.
What are the advantages of ASA certification?
Earning ASA certification means you hold internationally recognized credentials because you have received a quality education from professional instructors and an accredited curriculum. For this reason, you may receive discounts from many charter companies around the world. Additionally, formal training is an investment that can prevent costly and dangerous mistakes later.
Can I take more than one ASA course at a time?
Yes, you can take more than one ASA course at once! Go Sail Virgin Islands offers both beginner and advanced Learn to Sail vacations in which students graduate with multiple ASA certifications. Most commonly, students take ASA 101 (Basic KeelBoat), ASA 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising), and ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran) during their week at sea. However, courses can be changed depending on your qualifications, interests, needs, and ideal pacing!
Should I read the textbooks before beginning the course?
Absolutely! You will get more out of the course if you have already read the material. This way, you can have a stronger baseline knowledge and be prepared with questions about topics you did not understand. Ultimately, the more knowledge you have before starting the course, the more time you’ll get to spend out on the water refining your skills and feeling confident in your ability to sail. You will want to come prepared for mostly hands-on learning. Go Sail Virgin Islands sends out all textbooks prior to the course’s start date so you have plenty of time to study at home!
How old do you have to be to take ASA courses?
The minimum age requirement to participate in courses and earn ASA certification is fifteen years of age. However, if you have younger kids you can take them out with you on a bareboat charter as long as they are nine years old or older. Go Sail Virgin Island’s has taught teenage students before and we find getting your kids out on a sailboat often leads to a life-long passion for sailing!
I have some sailing experience, and I would like to improve through advanced ASA courses. Can I skip the beginner courses?
To sign up for any ASA course, you must have certification in all the prerequisites for that course, and you must pass the assessment to earn the certification. You take the assessment without attending the course if you choose. We have what we call a “test out of ASA 101” option which will involve a written test and on the water assessment when paired with another course.
Have other questions about ASA courses?
Go Sail Virgin Islands is happy to answer any questions you have about taking ASA courses! Reach out to us via email, phone, or through our website. Our contact information can be found here.