Sailing Schools

American Sailing Association is the leading authority on sailing instruction & sailing schools in the United States.

Learn to sail through our network of certified sailing schools with certified sailing instructors.

Through our sailing classes, ASA will help you learn sailing, safely & with confidence.

ASA Certified Students can go from basic sailing lessons to advanced sailing courses, enjoying sailing experiences around the world.

Learn more about The American Sailing Association

"US SAILING was originally organized as the North American Yacht Racing Union (NAYRU) on October 30, 1897. The founding members were the Inter-Lake Yachting Association, New York Racing Association, Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association, Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound, Yacht Racing Association in Massachusetts, and the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club.

The organization's original purpose was to encourage and promote yacht racing and to unify the racing and rating rules in the United States and Canada and throughout the yachting world..." Learn more about US Sailing

College Sailing
"College sailing began on an informal, club basis in the 1890's, and organized racing started in 1928. It has grown to include more than 200 active colleges, and racing now occurs on every weekend during fall and spring seasons and on many weekends during the winter. It is a truly coeducational sport, and it has proved itself the best incubator for the development of racing skills. Former college sailors have always numbered significantly among Olympic medallists and America's Cup competitors.

Many colleges that race also offer excellent and extensive recreational and instructional programs to members of their communities and, in a number of cases, to the general public. Education and training have been the corner stones of the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA), the governing authority, since its inception. The introduction of novices to the sport of sailing and the providing of opportunities for the recreational sailor has often prompted colleges and universities to offer more extensive and significant support to programs than would have been the case without these services. MIT, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Charleston, and the University of California at Irvine are particularly notable, for at each of these institutions many hundreds of students, faculty and staff participate. The vast majority of college sailing is done in double and single handed dinghies, but some programs do have intermediate sloops, offshore and cruising boats, or sailboards to offer their members.

The Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) is the governing authority for sailing competition at colleges and universities throughout the United States and in some parts of Canada. There are seven District Associations that schedule and administer regattas within their established geographic regions:

Middle Atlantic (MAISA), Midwest (MCSA), New England (NEISA), Northwest (NWICSA), Pacific Coast (PCCSC), South Atlantic (SAISA), and South-Eastern (SEISA)..." Learn more about the College Sailing

Online Boating Sailing Course, Lessons & Schools
The online boating courses on this website are designed to present basic and advanced information about sailboats, powerboats and boat handling in US waters.  These courses are not designed to substitute for a US SAILING certification course or on-the-water training by a sailing, windsurfing or powerboat instructor, but may be used as one of the tools in preparation for taking a certified course or in continuing your boating education.

US SAILING is a non-profit organization, founded in 1897 and mandated by congress, the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act body of the sport of sailing. US SAILING is responsible for the selection of the Olympic Team, the Paralympic Games Team, the Pan American Games and World University Games Teams, and the annually designated US SAILING Team, US Disabled Team, and US Youth Team. US SAILING has the highest standards in small, keelboat and off-shore sailing courses and lessons. It only makes sense to Join and learn to sail with US SAILING.
Learn more about Sailing Course USA

"The Interscholastic Sailing Association (ISSA) governs secondary school sailing in the United States, in both independent and public high schools.

Sailor eligibility starts at the ninth grade; there are no age limits.

As in college sailing, there are seven district associations which schedule events, as well as a system of national championships.

While ISSA had its origins in the preparatory schools of the Northeast in 1930, it is now a nationwide organization with active districts in Northeast (NESSA), Mid-Atlantic (MASSA), South Atlantic (SAISA), Southeast (SEISA), Midwest (MWISSA), Pacific Coast (PCISA), and Northwest (NWISA). " ...

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NauticEd is an online sailing school. Students learn basic to advanced sailing skills via online sailing lessons and instruction. Once a student has passed a sailing course, NauticEd will direct the student to a local sailing school for practical sailing instruction.

Across all industries, there is more than a trend to go to online education - it's more like a towering tidal wave. And it is even more prevalent in extracurricular and extra-career activities where people just don't have the time to sit in a classroom on a Saturday morning.

The advantages of online sailing lessons is obvious. Students can break up the sailing instruction into bite size chunks that suits their schedule. They can access the information at their finger tips. If they want to dive slightly deeper into a topic they can do that instantly.

Sailing, to some, is such an elusive and mysterious sport yet they wonder why so many people have such high passion. Online lessons can move that person from mere wonder to taking an online sailing course and gaining some skills so that real action towards practical sailing instruction can then take place. Thus more people are getting into sailing because of NauticEd's fun, educational and entertaining courses.

Sailing instruction on the internet is certainly available but it is spread wide and thin while the quality varies from amateur videos on youtube to good instruction - but perhaps just on one topic. NauticEd is a one stop quality shop which includes a branded and recognized certification that students can use forever.

In addition, the trend in sailing is to go to larger and larger (and more comfortable) sailboats. Yet very little sailing instruction focuses on this. Many certification companies worldwide start students on small boats and expect them to extrapolate their skills to larger boats. NauticEd focuses specifically on teaching people to sail on larger modern sailboats.

Learn more about NauticEd

The New York Sailing Center & Yacht Club

At New York Sailing Center & Yacht Club, our program is backed up with the experience and perspective of almost 40 years in the sailing school industry. But we're constantly doing what made us an award-winning industry leader in the first place: re-thinking and re-inventing the wheel (sorry - that's "tiller!").

It's reflected in the content and format of the courses, particularly in our emphasis on boat handling and safety skills. You'll see it in our variety of teaching aids, including our signature Obstacle CourseSM on-water training aid - an apparent NY Sailing Center exclusive.

Beginners will experience it with the boat they learn on, the Beneteau First 21.0, which has the best balance of properties of school boats in use today. The Beneteau 21 has twin rudders, making your learning experience much more effective, and making it easier for you to sail other boats later. Far from a gimmick, twin rudders are used on the most serious ocean racing yachts - Vendee Globe, Volvo Ocean Race, and Transat 650 (6.5 meters, or 21 feet!), to name a few.

Learn more about The New York Sailing Center & Yacht Club

At Blue Water Sailing School we help you fulfill your dreams by teaching you the skills and techniques to be a competent captain. You start your education with Basic Sailing, advance to Basic Coastal Cruising, learn boat systems, anchoring in Bareboat Chartering, navigate by eye and instrument in Coastal Navigation, make a passage to the Bahamas in Advanced Coastal Cruising, find your way by sun and stars in Celestial Navigation, and tie it all together in Offshore Passagemaking. We are one of the only sailing schools in the United States to offer all levels of the American Sailing Association program.

Learn more about The Blue Water Sailing School

"We, at Newport Sailing School and Tours, in Newport, RI, would like to introduce you to the very finest in sailing instruction and tours. For over 4 decades, we have introduced to thousands of people the joy and art of “pure” sailing in Newport, Rhode Island, the “Sailing Capital of the World!” Relax and enjoy a delightful narrated 1 or 2 hour leisurely sailing tour, corporate charter, or take advantage of our successful basic, intermediate or advanced sailing courses. Our curriculum is designed to provide the ultimate instruction in the shortest period of time.

Newport Sailing School and Tours was founded in 1965 by Mike Mainella and continues to be a family owned and operated business. For over 40 years, our staff has taken great pride in the quality of sailing that we have shared with many throughout the globe. Our accomplished students and tourists visit us for simply the pleasure of a sail or to sharpen their skills. We will continue as always to provide the finest instruction and tours in Newport, Rhode Island, “Sailing Capital of the World”, and we welcome you to join us!"

Learn more about Newport Sailing School and Tours

"Learn to Sail in Philadelphia : We are US Coast Guard Licensed Captains and certified by the American Sailing Association. Our teaching experience combines years on the water and in the classroom introducing others to the joy of sailing. Classes are limited to a maximum of 4 students per boat so you are assured of getting the individual attention you need." more

Chesapeake Sailing School Since 1980, Chesapeake Sailing School has been developing and adapting its highly respected instructional programs to meet the needs of individuals and groups pursuing the joy and enthusiasm of the 'sailing life'. Our Goal: To introduce and build a solid foundation of knowledge that makes the sport of sailing both rewarding and challenging for you while, at the same time, keeping it FUN!

Bow to Stern Sailing School offers sailing lessons and ASA certification to all levels, from Small Boat Sailing to Offshore Passagemaking and Cruising Catamaran. We are located in many different areas, depending on the time of year. All of the places are known for their abundant wildlife, fine dining and shopping and, of course, as a wonderful place to sail year round.

Virginia Sailing School

"Founded in 1975, the Mariner Sailing School in Alexandria, Virginia has become the largest full time Sailing School in the Washington, D.C. area. Our school is owned and operated by sailors, and offers a full range of Sailing Instruction and Boat Rentals. Former students' recommendations continue to be our primary advertising. Small class sizes, skilled Instructors, great boats and a convenient location are just a few of the reasons to give us a call."

Learn more about The Virginia Sailing School

The Boston Harbor Sailing Club

The Boston Harbor Sailing Club is a professional sailing school and membership club founded in 1974 to offer high level sailing instruction and, through memberships, make Boston, Marblehead, Buzzards Bay and New England waters accessible and affordable to the public.

The Club owns 67 yachts 23 to 39 feet and is a prominent feature on the Boston Waterfront.The Boston Harbor Sailing ClubWe operate from the Private Marina at Rowes Wharf (directions). There is parking on site and reduced rate parking nearby.



Learn more about The Boston Harbor Sailing Club

ScotSail Yachts
"is one of Scotlands premier yacht charter companies, providing a quality of service in yacht charter hard to come by in todays modern world. So come and relax and unwind from the stresses of that world on the west coast of Scotland - one of the worlds best-known sailing destinations. Classic Malts Cruise 2009.

Choose to depart from our base in the 720 berth Largs Yacht Haven with its excellent facilities located only 40 minutes from both Glasgow and Prestwick International airports. For those of you wishing to venture further, you can choose to depart from a range of West Coast of Scotland locations. Classic Malts Cruise ...

Practical Sailing Courses
let you sail to fantastic places whilst living onboard the yacht with other crew members sailing each day to different locations, our RYA Sailing Courses in Scotland allow you to visit wonderful places such as the Isle of Arran, East Loch Tarbert, Rothesay, Kyles of Bute and Milport. Simply put the choice is endless. All our RYA Sailing Courses in Scotland are undertaken on our comfortable, spacious and modern training yachts equipped with the latest technology for learning in safety and unrivalled levels of comfort..."

Learn more about ScotSail Yachts

Corfu Sea School

As the first yacht training centre to be approved by the RYA in Greece we are by far the most experienced. We have run literally hundreds of courses and honed the way we do things to ensure the ultimate fun, relaxed and safe boating experience. Over the last five years we have lost only one complete days sailing (and, with 65 knots of wind we thought that was wise!).

And, our innovation continues. We are the first school to create, and have approved by the RYA, online navigation courses. So now you can study before you come to Greece. Many of our course packages also include access to our online training materials.

We are only 15 minutes from Corfu International Airport. Beware, other schools may require you to travel for many hours after you have arrived in the country. EasyJet fly here everyday from the UK (from April to November) and all the major european airlines have Corfu as a destination....

Learn more About Corfu Sea School

Fair Wind Sailing School

"-- America's Best Sailing School -- offers both US Sailing Certified sailing lessons and International Charter Sailing Org. (ICSO) sailing certifications from our sailing schools in the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Chesapeake Bay and Great Lakes.

All of our sailing schools offer beginning sailing instruction through both bareboat charter sailing lessons and advanced sailing lessons. Our Virgin Islands sailing school also offers catamaran sailing lessons.

All our sailing schools in the Virgin Islands, Bahamas and Chesapeake Bay also offer ocean passage sailing lessons. Come learn to sail with Fair Wind Sailing School and you'll agree that we are America's Best Sailing School..."

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"The Hamble School of Yachting

"We are one of the leading RYA power and sailing schools in the UK, specialising in RYA Sailing courses, RYA Motor Cruising courses and RYA Powerboat courses. We have been helping people who want to learn to sail for over 30 years by providing a full range of sailing courses and lesons throughout the year alongside a wide range of our own specialist sailing courses such as sail trim and boat handling as well as courses for professionals to MCA/STCW standards...."

"... We strongly believe in offering an ALL INCLUSIVE PRICE! Our sailing courses are run on a friendly yet professional basis with experienced instructors who will make your sailing lessons both fun and memorable. We also run a modular fast track sailing course taking you from beginner to qualified skipper...."

Learn more About Hamble School of Yachting

ISSA

"ISSA was created in 1969 on the initiative of the Glénans Sailing Centre together with Polish, Italian, Swiss and British sailing schools with the objective of giving international recognition to a growing number of sailing school organisation.

ISSA is a non-profit organisation and it’s objectives are:
- To promote and support all institutions teaching sailing.
- To develop the sport of sailing through teaching at all levels and in all craft; dinghies, windsurfers, catamarans, keelboats & cruising yachts.

The ISSA office welcomes people coming from various countries. They are all professionals of teaching sailing and either work in sailing schools or are part of national authorities. The Administrative Council meets twice a year. This is when all executive decisions are taken. We are very careful regarding the ISSA internationality and make our most to preserve this diversity. This is the only way for us to maintain constructive and original exchanges.

ISSA gathers at least once a year in order to make exchanges easier between members. This is also the occasion to discuss and work together on developing teaching sailing worldwide..."

Learn more about The International Sailing Schools Association

J World San Diego, The Performance Sailing School

"We are consistently voted among the best all sailing schools in the U.S. by Practical Sailor, the "Consumer Reports" of the sailing industry.

At J World San Diego, our sole purpose is to provide you with the best experience possible.

Whether you want to learn to sail, become a better racer, host a corporate team building event, or charter a yacht in the tropics, we have the program for you.

With year round summer weather and consistent winds, San Diego Bay provides an exciting, challenging, and most beautiful classroom for our sailing courses. The beautiful waters around "America's Finest City" will both challenge and inspire you. The J World San Diego sailing school experience, along with an endless choice of things to do off the water, will make your stay in San Diego memorable...."

Learn more About the J World San Diego

"OCSC Sailing

"OCSC Sailing, is a San Francisco Bay sailing school and sailing club. We offer sailing lessons, sailboat instruction, US Sailing Certification, sailboat charters, club membership, corporate teambuilding events, and bareboat vacations. Our sailing schools Berkeley location is in the center of San Francisco Bay. From beginner sailboat lessons, to offshore training, to spinnaker sailing, to world cruising preparation, we are committed to teaching you how to sail with confidence.

Our Sailor's Resource Center is packed with Live Web Cams, Live Wind Forecasts, San Francisco Bay Sailing Guides, and more. If you want to go on a bareboat vacation, we can also prepare you for your bareboat charter. Our Sailing Flotillas are a great way to take your first sailing vacation. Of all the California sailing locations, it's hard to beat the Olympic Circle Sailing Club's Central Bay, Berkeley location. We're in the Berkeley Marina and we'd love to take you sailing!...

Learn more about OCSC Sailing

The RYA

"The RYA is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats, and personal watercraft.

The RYA’s mission is to promote enjoyable, safe and successful UK sailing and motorboating.

Primary Objectives
To increase participation and enjoyment in boating by:

- Inspiring more adults and children to go sailing more often
- Increasing the satisfaction of participants and volunteers to sustain and grow sailing participation
- to all individuals and organisations associated with boating;
- in conjunction with the appropriate agencies;
- so that the number of preventable incidents and deaths is reduced...."

Learn more about The Yacht Racing Association (RYA)

Ontario Sailing

"Ontario Sailing is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization committed to the promotion and development of all aspects of boating and sailing. Ontario Sailing consists of over 180 member clubs, sailing schools, camps, charters & affiliates who represent over 10,000 member families and services over 100,000 boaters...." Learn more about Ontario Sailing

Learn to Sail

"LearnToSail.ca is a one stop shop for information on learning how to sail. If you are a beginner sailor or you want to get in to racing then this site is for you!!!..." Learn more about Learn to Sail