The ASA is a community of 350 sailing schools, 7,000 instructors and over 500,000 sailors that all share a common bond – the love of sailing.
ASA membership supports the sailing community in the following ways…
Educational Programs
At ASA, our educational programs are battle tested and proven to produce highly competent sailors. ASA schools are hand-picked and counseled to keep the quality of the facilities high. ASA instructor qualifications are rigid and demanding to insure excellent educational results.
Environmental Initiatives
ASA is passionate about keeping our oceans and waterways clean. Part of your membership goes towards organizations that are committed to our common cause – the elimination of toxic plastics and other harmful pollutants that destroy our environment.
Boating Legislation
The ASA interacts with the U.S. Coast Guard and works with other major stakeholders to positively affect boating legislation and safety education throughout the country.
Sailing Outreach
The ASA has a number of programs designed to introduce the sport of sailing to new people and to encourage more people to participate in the sport of sailing.
ASA Membership Benefits
Educational Programs
Your membership helps us to further your sailing education!
Boating Legislation
ASA is represented on the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Education Standards Panel (ESP), and is a member of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Project Technical Committee (PTC) for the National On-Water Standards (NOWS) program.
Lenny Shabes founded the American Sailing Association, in 1982, and is still the Chairman of the Board.
Lenny presently serves on the board of directors of Sail America, the renowned trade association for the U.S. sailing industry. Sail America’s purpose is to promote and foster the sport of sailing and it’s a great opportunity for the sailing industry work together to accomplish a common goal.
Become an ASA member and we’ll make sure your voice will be heard…
Environmental & Charitable Initiatives
ASA is committed to helping overcome the problems, such as plastic pollution, that plague our oceans, lakes, & rivers. We will be concentrating on researching, publicizing and donating to organizations that share our environmental values.
We need your help. Join ASA now!
1,000,000
Seabirds Die From Getting Tangled In AND/OR Eating Plastic
100,000
marine mammals die from getting tangled in and/or eating plastic
500 trillion
pieces of plastic estimated to be floating worldwide
2050
there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish
(by weight)
Join ASA and together with our partners we can make a difference!
Plastic Pollution Purge
To help clean up our waterways, the American Sailing Association, the world’s largest sailing organization and America’s sail education authority, announces a new crusade… Operation “Plastic Pollution Purge”. The heart of the program is the responsible use of plastic and to always bring back more plastic than you take. Learn More >>
Cherish Our Oceans
#CherishOurOceans is ASA’s on going mission to showcase people, products and companies that are taking action towards protecting our oceans. We like and support Norton sunglasses and 4Oceans bracelets that are made from reclaimed plastic and plant based materials and campaigns like #StopSucking that discourages the use of plastic straws.
Hands Across The Sea
Founded by bluewater sailors Tom and Harriet Linskey in 2007, Hands Across the Sea, a non-profit organization, has been raising child literacy levels in the Eastern Caribbean by sending new books asked for by teachers and school principals, creating and rejuvenating lending libraries (usually at schools), and fostering sustainability with ongoing monitoring and support.
The Ocean Cleanup
Founded by Dutchman Boyan Slat, before he turned 20, The Ocean Cleanup successfully completed a record breaking crowd funding campaign in 2014. They raised over US$ 2 million of funds which they’ve been using to carry out research expeditions, such as the Mega Expedition, as well as develop technology that will be used to clean the oceans of plastic.
Sailors For The Sea
Sailors for the Sea unites boaters to protect the ocean. Whether you race your sunfish on a lake, or are on your 20th circumnavigation – you have the power to solve the most serious threats to our ocean. Sailors for the Sea’s programs and social media are creating a powerful wave of change – but we know it’s going to take all of us to get the job done.
Sailing Outreach
ASA is dedicated to providing resources that make sailing accessible to everyone.
GO SAILING App
ASA’s GO SAILING app helps you find crew or apply to be crew on other skippers’ trips. There are also sailing related social events, seminars, and sailing lessons on the app. GO SAILING is the best free sailing app for connecting to your local sailing & boating community. The app is available at no cost for iOS, Android, and on the web.
Flotillas
Flotilla sailing charter vacations bring together a fleet of sailboats, each operating independently with its own crew, along with a lead boat and flotilla leader who knows the local area well. By joining a flotilla, you can enjoy the freedom of skippering your own boat but have comfort in knowing that support and advice are on hand to help with navigation and local weather.
Events
ASA hosts many different events throughout the year that bring members together to enjoy a sailing related experience. Whether it’s a luxury charter aboard a mega yacht, or a luncheon to talk about the America’s Cup these events are a great opportunity to meet like minded people who share the same passion as you – sailing!
Additional Partners
