Antigua Testimonials & Photos 2007

Imagine being on a tropical isle, drink in hand, pleasant breezes and company of your choice and dreams . . . . . . . .   Well jump that up two steps!   Our ASA Antigua getaway was more; much, much more.

ASA Membership $65; Plane Fare  $650; Billeting and Gourmet Meals $1,095 . . . . . . Being In Antigua to sail, party and make new friends - truly priceless, mate.

It was all provided: beautiful accommodations and wonderful meals at an unheard of low price.  Sailing, camaraderie, friendship, fun and new acquaintances were our treasure to find at no additional cost.     ASA staff had planned and provisioned for us so well, it was as if we each had our own concierge for the entire stay.  Our voyage was navigated in advance, artistically and expertly provisioned and we were pampered . . . . . free to pursue relationship, fun, ease, sailing, exercise . . . . . . . . paradise.

Earl Morrow
Roswell, GA

What a fabulous time with the ASA members I met at Sunsail Colonna Resort during ASA week!  As a new member this past year, I'd been planning this week as a chance to meet and sail with other ASA members. My husband and I met some great folks and all the skippers I had contact with, namely Bill, Charley, and Earl were not only competent sailors, but were wonderful people eager to share their knowledge and passion for sailing. Wow, am I happy to have had this opportunity; and that I won the free trip for two to next year's event was icing on the cake!  Thank you ASA and Sunsail!  

Michael and Diane Murr

It was March 29, 2007 when Budget Travel Online arrived in my mailbox. ”Sailing in Antigua” was the headline and the story gave you the details.    I immediately called a new friend who was also interested in sailing.  Within 24 hours we were fully paid and anticipating a great week. 

We could not have known at the time, but we were quickly learning what a real bargain this was.  Upon arrival we were greeted with a cool bottle of water and a ride to the resort.  From that moment forward  we  were showered with gifts.  Every person received a goody bag upon arrival, containing items you may have forgotten, didn’t know you would need, or other great gifts all to make your week smooth sailing. 

The Friday evening social gave us the opportunity to meet others, many like ourselves who were new, and those who had attended in previous years.  Boat Captains there to watch over us and share their knowledge.  All with one goal in mind . . . . . to sail the great blue waters of the Caribbean.

We found there was so much more than sailing every day.  The greatest gifts of all:  Sunsets that were glorious and the moon rise equally as spectacular, and sitting in an afternoon rain showers made you feel like a child again.   The individual groups aboard each beautiful 47 ft. boat had their own mini bonding experiences, as we tacked, jibed, pulled sheets, stood at the helm and finally set anchor at the end of the sail.   There was more……….mealtimes where we came together to enjoy a meal  (always room for another person at the table) share our plans or our sailing adventures of the day.

 By near the end of the week, we had dozens of new friends from Virginia Beach on the east coast to San Francisco on the west coast and many points in between.   As we said our goodbyes we knew it was only until the next great sailing trip.  So it was mostly  “See you next year”.    Thank you American Sailing Association for these many great gifts.

Anna Bell  Chandler
Raleigh, NC

Anna Bell Chandler and I came on this trip together and we are rather new friends. We met toward the end of 2006 through a business club in Raleigh North Carolina. During our first conversation we discovered we were both want-to-be sailors. We each had limited experience, I had taken the basic keelboat certification and she had sailed with her daughter and son-in-law. About a month later she called and asked if I would be interested in going to the ASA Antigua trip in June. It took about three seconds for me to answer yes. Thus began an adventure that changed my life.

This trip gave me abundantly more that I could have hoped for or asked. The resort was comfortable and staff attentive, and the arrangements and support were well done by the ASA staff. All of us came to sail and I hoped to at least get along with the others that were there. Instead, I sailed and had fun with colleagues that became friends, some of whom will be part of my life for the rest of my life. In the competent hands of Captains Bill and Dennis I gained new skills. I have begun to develop the confidence and feel for the sea, wind, boat and me that somehow Captain Earl was able to both demonstrate and pull out of me. I felt safe, secure and supported as I started a love affair with sailing. As with all wonderful loves, if I had only know it would be this good, I would have started sooner. Thanks ASA, I’ll be back next year!

Suzie Williamson
Raleigh, North Carolina

Thank YOU (and Charlie and Flor) for planning such a wonderful event.  In my 56 years I honestly believe this to have been my best holiday ever!  The resort staff, the ASA participants, you and your staff, and the regular British guests at Sunsail were all the most cordial, friendly, open bunch of folks assembled in one place.  I can truly state that in the 10 days I was at Club Colonna, I didn't hear one, single complaint from anyone.  It was obvious that you took considerable care in arranging the location, planning the events, arranging for the instructors and boats, hosting the fantastic beach party, getting all the great give-away and raffle items, and making the killer rum drinks!  
The ability to learn from and share stories with so many experienced sailors from all around the US and UK were the best learning I could have asked for.  I was so geeked that upon arriving home I signed my 18 year old son up for ASA 101-103 at a school in Muskegon, MI.

John Gialanella
Tecumseh, MI

Thank you ASA for planning yet another wonderful Antigua trip.  This was our third time at the annual ASA/Sunsail event, and it just gets better every year.  We are already planning to attend next year.  Dennis enjoys sailing with beginners and experienced sailors alike, and he enjoys getting out to see the island with me.  We both enjoyed the island tour that included Devil's Bridge, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea.  For me, the highlight of the week was the reggae party on the beach.  The international mix of people, the music and the English Harbour rum all combined to make the evening memorable.  The only complaint we have is that a week is not long enough to do everything we want to do and still have time to relax.  We hope to add a week next time.
  
Susan Bergman & Dennis Harms
Reno, NV