Learn to Sail on San Francisco Bay
The school at Modern Sailing offers everything you need to achieve your sailing goals. Our American Sailing Association curriculum is internationally recognized, teaching adult students the range of skills from basic crew participation to achieving the confidence to sail the coast, cross oceans, or charter a boat internationally. In addition to the ASA Core Curriculum, we offer a suite of skill-building clinics to assist students in further refining their skills. Explore the beautiful California Coast and experience ocean sailing with our Advanced Coastal Cruising course, or learn to be a racer with our Racing Clinic. Whether you are exploring the sport of sailing for the first time, revisiting a forgotten passion, or striving to take your skills to the next level, Modern Sailing provides the resources you'll need to make your sailing dreams come true.
Cruising Boat and Sportboat Tracks
At Modern Sailing, we recognize that a broad range of interest areas exist within the world of sailing, and our two locations in Sausalito and Berkeley strive to provide the widest variety of boats and sailing opportunities available to beginning and experienced sailors in the Bay Area. The Berkeley location's fleet of 24' to 26' performance sailboats provides our ASA students with exciting options to begin their sailing education or to add dimension to their sailing experience. When signing up for your first sailing course, you can choose to take ASA 101 and 103 on either the Cruising Boat Track in Sausalito and Berkeley or the Sportboat Track in Berkeley.
As a beginning sailor, how do you know which track to choose? To help inform your decision, see our article Beginning on Sportboats or Cruising Boats - Information to Help You Choose.
American Sailing Association Certification Courses
Modern Sailing is an American Sailing Association accredited school. Our expert instructors have received accolades for teaching novice students in ASA 101, Basic Keelboat Sailing, as well as advanced students at the ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising and ASA 108, Offshore Passagemaking levels.
The American Sailing Association was founded in 1983 and standardized sailing education in the United States. With the mission to “help people sail safely and confidently,” the ASA offers eight levels of certification with additional courses and endorsements that are globally recognized by sailing schools and charter companies worldwide.
Whatever your goals are, to learn a new sport, to travel, explore uncharted territory, cruise, race, or to simply enjoy being on the water, we’ll help you master the necessary skills. Modern Sailing teaches to the American Sailing Association’s (ASA) standards and is a three-time winner of ASA’s Outstanding School of the Year award. Our ASA courses are taught by USCG Captains who are certified ASA Instructors. Many of our students have gone on to skipper our Club Sails, charter internationally, buy their own boats, circumnavigate the globe, earn their USCG Captain’s License, and even became instructors themselves. (The collection of Sailor Spotlight articles in the Member Resources section of our website tells some of their stories.)
Why is certification important?
The American Sailing Association (ASA) and Modern Sailing are dedicated to recreational boating and safety through education and respected professional standards. These standards provide you with a means to prove your knowledge and abilities. As a student, you are issued an ASA logbook - your passport to sailing - which documents your achievement of these standards to enable you to charter (rent) almost anywhere in the world. If you own a boat, ASA certifications can help reduce your insurance premiums.
ASA Sailing Courses provided by Modern Sailing |
Sausalito |
Berkeley |
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The Berkeley location offers ASA courses on your choice of the Cruising Boat or Sportboat learning path.
As we continually expand the availability of Sailing Courses at both locations, this list is subject to change. Courses are made available on our schedule 4-5 months in advance. View the Schedule to see real-time availability and sign up online.
SAILING Clinics & ADVANCED SKILLS TRAINING
In addition to full-length courses, we offer a selection of clinics to help you focus on improving targeted skills. Often only one day, these hands-on opportunities supplement your training and give you flexibility when looking for additional experience. Learn a new skill or refresh or refine an existing one. There is something for everyone who is dedicated to advancing their sailing education.
Sailing Clinics provided by Modern Sailing: |
Sausalito |
Berkeley |
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*Sportboat Courses and Clinics are available in Berkeley only.
As we continually expand the availability of Clinics at both locations, this list is subject to change. View real-time Sailing Clinic availability and reserve your spot on our Schedule page.
SAILBOAT RACING PROGRAM
In addition to our courses and clinics, you can fast-track your sailing skills and experience by participating in the Modern Sailing Racing Program. The Racing Clinic and Asymmetrical Spinnaker Clinic provide the training necessary to feel confident in any crew position. Visit our Racing Program page to learn more.
HOW TO BECOME A PAID SAILING PROFESSIONAL
Take your love of sailing to the next level and become a USCG licensed captain!
Since the early 2000's, we have been training people to become Merchant Marine Licensed Professionals. Through rigorous United States Coast Guard training, you can realize your dreams of becoming a charter captain or sailing instructor. Learn more about getting your Captain's License on our USCG licensing page.
With two ASA Certified Instructor Qualifiers onsite, Modern Sailing is the West Coast’s premier school for preparing new instructors and welcoming them into the realm of instruction. If you are looking to expand your professional credentials, let us guide you through the process and help you spend more time on the water while sharing your love of sailing. Learn more about becoming an ASA Sailing Instructor and call the office to sign up for the next Instructor Qualifying Clinics.
How far do you want to sail?
Do you want to sail around San Francisco Bay, charter internationally, cross an ocean, or sail around the world? Our friendly office team can help you build a sailing education plan to prepare you with the skills and confidence you'll need to get underway. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or need some help.
