Why You Should Take ASA Advanced Courses
The learning journey isn’t over once you complete Bareboat Certification or even feel confident as a skipper! Every sailor out there can improve in some form or fashion. Here’s why you should take advanced ASA courses and which ones we recommend you sign up for:
What are ASA Advanced Courses?
ASA advanced courses are the courses offered by the American Sailing Association that require certain prerequisites or prior sailing experience. For example, in order to take ASA 106 (Advanced Coastal Sailing), you will need to pass ASA 101, ASA 103, ASA 104, and ASA 105 first.
That being said, there are some courses that are considered advanced, even though they don’t have specific prerequisites. For instance, ASA 118 (Docking Endorsement) does not have prerequisites. However, Go Sail Virgin Islands prefers to teach ASA 118 to students who already have some sailing experience under their belt.
Why Should I Take ASA Advanced Courses?
Taking ASA advanced courses is a fantastic way to build your sailing knowledge and skills. Sailing is a continuous learning journey and even when sailors feel confident in a certain skill, there is still often room for improvement or additional learning! Advanced ASA courses can also assist sailors in becoming proficient in sailing different types of vessels. For example, ASA 114 endorses sailors in catamarans up to 40 feet long in winds up to 30 knots.
Will ASA Advanced Courses Actually Make Me A Better Sailor?
Advanced ASA courses are one of the best ways to improve your own sailing abilities. The expert instructors with Go Sail Virgin Islands are well versed in teaching sailors who already have ample experience out on the water and tailor their courses to meet the abilities and skills of the students aboard. During your ASA advanced course, they’ll provide you with ample opportunities to better your sailing abilities, expand your understanding of sailing, and challenge you in ways you haven’t experienced out on the water before!
Which ASA Advanced Courses Are the Most Important For Me To Take?
We recommend starting with ASA 106 (Advanced Coastal Sailing). This course provides students with the confidence to safely skipper and crew a sailing vessel up to 50 feet in length in coastal and inland waters, in any conditions. However, there is no need to pick just one course to take! Go Sail Virgin Islands offers weeklong, advanced sailing courses that include ASA 106, ASA 114, and ASA 118.
What Are the ASA Advanced Course Offerings?
Go Sail Virgin Islands offers three ASA advanced courses: ASA 106, ASA 114, and ASA 118. We recommend taking ASA 105 ( Costal Navigation) at home. We will send you a link to the course.
Where Can I Take ASA Advanced Courses?
Go Sail Virgin Islands offers ASA advanced courses in the Virgin Islands. To sign up for an advanced sailing course or learn more about the ASA advanced course offerings at Go Sail Virgin Islands, click here. We look forward to being a part of your continued learning and sailing journey!