ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing - <26' Skipper

This is the first American Sailing Association certification level as a multi-day course, ASA 101 -Basic Keelboat Sailing. You will “Learn to skipper a 23' - 26' sloop-rigged keelboat by day, in light to moderate winds and sea conditions, as a Skipper.  Your mission is to read your book before arrival for the evening lecture, to get the most out of your class and to achieve needed score on the written test at completion of the course. The terms in the book are needed for communication aboard a boat. Your teacher will help to get your hands on the items discussed in the book section on Terms for basic sailing, including boat parts and how boats function. How to take a helm, what the skipper (day-leader) means when using the commands, how to aid operation of the boat including: basic sail trim, what are 'points of sail', the signposts you will see on the waterways called IALA-B lateral Buoy system and much more. Learn about seamanship and how to turn a boat around quickly and nearly stop if something falls or is seen in the water or if someone is found or falls into the water that needs to be pulled aboard. For more details on what you learn in this course go to — https://asa.com/certifications/

!!! NEW REQUIREMENT: Must submit your answers to all quizzes in the study book, no later than 3 days before your course commencement! You will be reviewing the answers with your teacher during the classroom session. 

Weekend schedule:

Friday - Meet your instructor at the office, 1285 Embarcadero (Oakland CA 94606) at 6:00pm for a two hour lecture reviewing what you read in your book. Clarification and preparation for the next 2 days of sailing.

Saturday and Sunday are full days of active sailing 9.30am-4.30pm.

Weekday schedule can arrange for the lecture after sailing the first day. The written exam is at the end the 2nd day on the water. Must pass the hands-on skills before being allowed to take the written test.

Look up the weather for that weekend or weekday series. Dress in layers according to the weather predictions. Vests are a good under/over layer. Use a base layer per the weather and add to it up to a wind-breaker. Soft soled shoes for traction on the deck.  Non-marking required or will be scrubbing decks of black marks dark soles leave behind. No bare-feet, open toed or flip-flops. Broken toes are painful. If break toes, it will be your responsibility as this is a sincere warning.

Recommend a brimmed hat with a keeper that will not blow off your head, for your time on the water. Garden gloves with rubberized palms and without finger tips are a plus. If cold - bring a warm hat or perhaps a warm ear covering headband, warm layers and warm gloves. If raining - bring a waterproof over layer for top and bottom. Always bring sunscreen, chapstick and sunglasses. Keepers for glasses and hats can save you lots of money.

Bring a lunch for both Saturday and Sunday, including water or other liquids to stay hydrated. If you bring a refillable bottle, please make sure you take it with you at the end of your course. Next to sunglasses, they are the most popular item in our Lost&Found pile!

There are bathrooms at our facility and on the boats. Please make sure to check in with your teacher about how to use the 'head 'on the boat, before leaving the docks!

Included in the cost are:

• Use of Afterguard lifejacket for your safety. A lifejacket is required to be worn when outside the cabin - unless anchored or docked. Best to have on before the boat begins to move. At the dock is a place of risk when leaving or coming to the docks.
• The ASA 101 Multiple choice test (85%pass) and the on-the-water skills test (100%pass) are how you get the graduation signature.
• The ASA logbook we give you for passing is signed by your instructor, after passing both on the water and written skills tests. This logbook is your future passport to sailing adventures world-wide;
• Your ASA Certification Sticker will be mailed to you by ASA;
• 90 day free trial ASA membership (to be activated through the email-link received from ASA) can be continued for less than $50 per year with ASA after the trial period Afterguard pays for, for you.
• 1 free practice session, joining the Group Sails that run Thursday and Sunday pm (to be scheduled within 30 days of class graduation!!!)

To take the next course, need to practice at least one time - prefer a minimum of 3 practice outings if have a time gap between courses.

Purchase the textbook separately. Available at our office (hardcopy) or on ASA website (as ebook or hardcopy).

Looking forward to seeing you soon on the water!

Please email info@afterguard.net or call 510-535-1954 if you have any questions.