Recent Articles
The Sailing Season: Seattle As a Sailing Destination
March 18, 2019Why Sail in Seattle? Take a moment and breathe in the crisp air on Puget Sound. Feel the wind as it moves across the water and through your hair. Mount Baker in the distance Victoria to the north and the Pacific Ocean beyond a series of islands heading out west.... Read More >
Parts of The Whole: Understanding Sailboats and Sailing – The Sails
March 14, 2019It's safe to say a sailboat is only as good as its sails when you consider that capturing the wind’s energy is the premise behind what sailors do to propel their boats in a forward direction. A good captain will trim those said sails to be as efficient as... Read More >
Could Algae Save the World?
March 11, 2019Traditionally the boating community associates algae with one word: nuisance. It covers hulls, jams propellers, slimes up fishing poles, and can even make the water unswimmable. Algae is a gigantically diverse group of marine organisms, ranging from tiny... Read More >
Women Sailors
March 7, 2019In celebration of International Women’s Day, we would like to introduce you to a few women sailors who each, in their own right, has made a difference within the sailing community and beyond. Before we begin, we know we have missed more than we have mentioned so... Read More >
Ask Lauren: What Do I Do If I See an Animal Tangled in Plastic?
March 5, 2019It is always exciting to encounter marine animals in their natural habitat- the vast diversity of creatures in the ocean both pull at our heartstrings and inspires a sense of wonder. We’ve all seen heartwarming videos of sailors, divers, and surfers having... Read More >
Plastic-Free Provisioning
February 28, 2019ASA’s Plastic Pollution Purge campaign asked our fellow sailors to “bring back more plastic than you take to your boat”, and to have fun practicing your crew overboard drills as you recover trash on the water. But to break the vicious cycle of plastic... Read More >
Parts of The Whole: Understanding Sailboats and Sailing – The Keel
February 25, 2019The keel is a fixed appendage on the bottom of the hull that provides the sideways resistance needed to counter the force of the wind on the sails. The keel also carries ballast, usually iron or lead, the weight of which counteracts the force of the wind that... Read More >
How To Sail a Boat
February 21, 2019There is a cloak of mystery that surrounds sailing. You might be on a picturesque beach and you see a sailboat off in the distance or you might be in a marina and you notice how the wind gently moves a schooner across the water. It makes you wonder, How To Sail A... Read More >
Inside Sailing – Tom Simmons, Director of ‘Coyote: The Mike Plant Story’
February 20, 2019We’re proud to announce a new video series called “ASA’s Inside Sailing,” where we conduct on-camera interviews with prominent and/or interesting figures in the world of sailing. In our inaugural episode, we spotlight Tom Simmons, Director of Coyote: The... Read More >
ASA Featured Instructor: Greg Martin of Sail Hawaii
February 18, 2019Greg Martin is the owner and head instructor of Sail Hawaii. Captain Greg has been sailing since he was a kid growing up in San Diego and he further refined his sailing skills at the US Naval Academy. After the Navy, he became a middle school math and science... Read More >
Where Are We Going: Understanding Points of Sail
February 14, 2019The direction of the wind dictates the direction a sailboat can sail. Understanding the points of sail is vital to understanding how sailors orient themselves relative to the wind. The Points of Sail describe the range of courses a sailboat can and cannot travel. Read More >
The Sailor’s Bucket List
February 11, 2019The bucket list is that imaginary document in your head that holds your fantasies. What is on your sailing bucket list? We share ours with you, share yours with us. Read More >
Environmental Updates
Could Algae Save the World?
March 11, 2019Traditionally the boating community associates algae with one word: nuisance. It covers hulls, jams propellers, slimes up fishing poles, and can even make the water unswimmable. Algae is a gigantically diverse group of marine organisms, ranging from tiny... Read More >
Ask Lauren: What Do I Do If I See an Animal Tangled in Plastic?
March 5, 2019It is always exciting to encounter marine animals in their natural habitat- the vast diversity of creatures in the ocean both pull at our heartstrings and inspires a sense of wonder. We’ve all seen heartwarming videos of sailors, divers, and surfers having... Read More >
Plastic-Free Provisioning
February 28, 2019ASA’s Plastic Pollution Purge campaign asked our fellow sailors to “bring back more plastic than you take to your boat”, and to have fun practicing your crew overboard drills as you recover trash on the water. But to break the vicious cycle of plastic... Read More >
Filmmaker Soraya Simi Talks To ASA About Where The Water Takes Us
February 7, 2019Soraya Simi is an ocean-minded filmmaker, sailor, and environmentalist. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, she spent her days exploring the desert, fostering her love for the outdoors from an early age. Now in her final semester at USC's film school in Los... Read More >
The Ocean Quiz
January 28, 2019Do we really know how much plastic is on our ocean? We love to sail but do we know enough about what is beneath the surface of the water that we enjoy? Take this quick quiz on what lies beneath the surface as well as what gets into the ocean. Read More >
Ask Lauren: What is “Plastic Soup”?
January 14, 2019ASA has brought on marine conservationist Lauren Coiro to help with advocacy and education when it comes to how sailors interact with the environment that they call home. "Ask Lauren" will be a regular feature where our questions on the environment will be asked... Read More >
Join ASA in the Landfill Challenge!
January 11, 2019You've been challenged! Sailors are motivated to contribute less to the ocean’s plastic problem, but when plastic is incorporated into almost everything we do, where do we begin? The average American generates over 4 pounds of trash every day, and when we send... Read More >
New Year, New Ocean
January 2, 2019January is a fresh start, and after a year-long rollercoaster of environmental news, I am feeling hopeful about what’s to come. 2018 was a year of awareness, and while it was painful to learn about the state of our oceans, we now have the power to fix it. 2019... Read More >
Plastic-Free for the Holidays
December 11, 2018The holiday season is here! Although I am enchanted by the pretty lights decorating the ships in the harbor, this time of year is notorious for its waste. Household waste increases between 25-30% between Thanksgiving and New Years, and a large portion of it is... Read More >
Ocean Hope: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Cleanup Has Begun!
November 12, 2018The Ocean Cleanup project, headed by 24-year-old Dutch inventor Boyan Slat, has spent the last 5 years designing a U-shaped floating trawl to scour the sea for floating bits of plastic. The 600-meter long floater and attached skirt are designed to work passively... Read More >
Plastic Items You Can Stop Bringing Onboard Today
October 29, 2018Maybe our last article about plastic in the ocean scared you a bit, but now that you know what’s going on, it’s time to get motivated. The good news is that little changes in our day-to-day lives can have a big collective impact on reducing the plastic flowing... Read More >
Sailing and The Responsibility of the Sailor to the Environment
October 23, 2018As ASA does its job of being an advocate for the world’s oceans we asked our resident Marine Conservationist Lauren Coiro about how sailors can make an impact on the environment that they take so much from, the Ocean. Her advice sheds light on the bigger picture... Read More >
Learn To Sail Articles
Parts of The Whole: Understanding Sailboats and Sailing – The Sails
March 14, 2019It's safe to say a sailboat is only as good as its sails when you consider that capturing the wind’s energy is the premise behind what sailors do to propel their boats in a forward direction. A good captain will trim those said sails to be as efficient as... Read More >
Parts of The Whole: Understanding Sailboats and Sailing – The Keel
February 25, 2019The keel is a fixed appendage on the bottom of the hull that provides the sideways resistance needed to counter the force of the wind on the sails. The keel also carries ballast, usually iron or lead, the weight of which counteracts the force of the wind that... Read More >
How To Sail a Boat
February 21, 2019There is a cloak of mystery that surrounds sailing. You might be on a picturesque beach and you see a sailboat off in the distance or you might be in a marina and you notice how the wind gently moves a schooner across the water. It makes you wonder, How To Sail A... Read More >
Where Are We Going: Understanding Points of Sail
February 14, 2019The direction of the wind dictates the direction a sailboat can sail. Understanding the points of sail is vital to understanding how sailors orient themselves relative to the wind. The Points of Sail describe the range of courses a sailboat can and cannot travel. Read More >
Shopping for a Sailing School
February 5, 2019Join Lauren as she continues on her journey to learn to sail. Follow her as she gets her feet wet as a beginner, gains experience, and earns her ASA certifications. The ultimate goal is to complete ASA 104 and go bareboat chartering somewhere exotic. ASA 103, Part... Read More >
Learning To Sail: A Navy Son and His Army Veteran Father
January 31, 2019Learning To Sail With Veteran Sailing Association in Tavernier, Florida The ASA Veterans Sailing Education Program is in its third month of operation and several stories about the program have arrived at ASA from veterans and ASA Affiliates. US Navy man Galen... Read More >
5 Reasons To Sail In San Diego
January 21, 2019You want to learn to sail so why not pick a convenient destination to take your sailing courses? San Diego is the ideal location to visit because you can mix in your ocean adventures with some sightseeing and some cultural sites. Throw in a visit to a wild animal... Read More >
Learning to Sail in the Florida Keys
January 7, 2019Sailing In The Keys Let’s go straight for the cliches and talk about the Conch Republic and a salty life and toss in flip-flops while you are at it. In a world away from everywhere the Florida Keys stands out as an outpost for the rest of us. The Florida Keys... Read More >
Cruising Destinations & Tips
The Sailing Season: Seattle As a Sailing Destination
March 18, 2019Why Sail in Seattle? Take a moment and breathe in the crisp air on Puget Sound. Feel the wind as it moves across the water and through your hair. Mount Baker in the distance Victoria to the north and the Pacific Ocean beyond a series of islands heading out west.... Read More >
Plastic-Free Provisioning
February 28, 2019ASA’s Plastic Pollution Purge campaign asked our fellow sailors to “bring back more plastic than you take to your boat”, and to have fun practicing your crew overboard drills as you recover trash on the water. But to break the vicious cycle of plastic... Read More >
The Sailor’s Bucket List
February 11, 2019The bucket list is that imaginary document in your head that holds your fantasies. What is on your sailing bucket list? We share ours with you, share yours with us. Read More >
5 Reasons To Sail In San Diego
January 21, 2019You want to learn to sail so why not pick a convenient destination to take your sailing courses? San Diego is the ideal location to visit because you can mix in your ocean adventures with some sightseeing and some cultural sites. Throw in a visit to a wild animal... Read More >
Learning to Sail in the Florida Keys
January 7, 2019Sailing In The Keys Let’s go straight for the cliches and talk about the Conch Republic and a salty life and toss in flip-flops while you are at it. In a world away from everywhere the Florida Keys stands out as an outpost for the rest of us. The Florida Keys... Read More >
Tips From The Text: Tips on Coastal Cruising
December 24, 2018Sailing Tips Come From Coastal Cruising Made Easy, the Official Manual for the ASA Basic Coastal Cruising Course. You’re ready to cruise and all that is left is for you to toss the lines and set sail. Take a glance at these tips to help you once you decide to... Read More >
Considering a Catamaran Charter? Know The Language
December 19, 2018If you are considering a charter there is a good chance you’ll be thinking about a catamaran for your sailing vacation. While you should pick up ASA’s Cruising Catamarans Made Easy or consider taking ASA 114, Cruising Catamaran, you might want to brush up on... Read More >
Six Beach Bars You Should Visit While Cruising The Caribbean
December 7, 2018Once the anchor is set and the boat is secure there is nothing like the sound of the dinghy getting prepared for the quick trip to the beach bar. You know what I’m talking about, the little grass shack on that picture postcard beach where the drinks flow as... Read More >