Instructor Qualification Courses

Become a Certified American Sailing Association Sailing Instructor!

At Seattle Sailing Club, we offer Instructor Qualification Courses (IQCs) for individuals who love sailing and have a passion for teaching. As an ASA Affiliate School, we are proud to provide instructor clinics and conversion pathways that lead to recognized credentials. Whether you’re looking to teach for our club or simply become certified to instruct elsewhere, this is your opportunity.

The American Sailing Association (ASA) is the leading organization for recreational sailing education in the United States, setting national standards for sailing instruction and certification. Since its founding in 1983, ASA has certified over half a million sailors and instructors through its network of affiliated sailing schools. Its mission is to make sailing safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone through high-quality, hands-on training and progressive certification programs.

Who Should Attend?

The ideal candidate for an ASA Instructor Qualification Clinic is someone who:

  • Is 18 years of age or older.
  • Has at least 3 years of sailing experience.
  • Holds at minimum the ASA 101 (Keelboat Sailing 1) certification or has equivalent experience.
  • Has experience in teaching, mentoring, or clear aptitude for communicating sailing concepts to others.
  • Is capable of performing to the standard described in the ASA International Logbook for both sailing and teaching.

American Sailing Association Standards

To better understand ASA’s culture and their expectations of ASA certified instructors, review the information below.

  1. Become an ASA Sailing Instructor + Video
  2. ASA Standards of Certification
  3. ASA’s Instructor Code of Ethics
  4. ASA’s Instructor Clinic Information

Offerings & Prices

  • 200 IQC Conversion Course (1-day private, on-the-water + testing – $395 for class + $99 for each certification). An online knowledge session conducted by ASA must be completed prior to the course ($79).
  • ASA 201 Keelboat 1 (2.5 days – $495 for class + $79 ASA Instructor Membership + $99 for Instructor Certification)
  • ASA 202 Keelboat 2 (2 days – $295 for class + $99 for Instructor Certification)
  • ASA 203 Basic Coastal Cruising (1-day – $195 for class + $99 for Instructor Certification)
  • ASA 204 Bareboat Charter (1-day – $195 for class + $99 for Instructor Certification)
  • ASA 205 Coastal Navigation (1-day – $195 for class + $99 for Instructor Certification)
  • ASA 206 Advanced Coastal Cruising (3-day overnight – $295 for class + $99 for Instructor Certification)
  • ASA 214 Cruising Catamaran (2-day overnight – $225 for class + $99 for Instructor Certification)
  • ASA 218 Docking Endorsement (1-day – $195 for class + $99 for Instructor Certification)
  • ASA 111 Asymmetrical Spinnaker Lesson (4-8 hrs – $195 for class + $99 for Instructor Certification)

How-to Sign-up for an IQC

    1. Review the ASA standards above.
    2. Review the calendar of upcoming IQCs
    3. Complete our Instructor Certification Interest Form. If you find a date that works for you, include the dates in the comments field at the bottom of the form.
    4. Send us your sailing resume
    5. Once we receive your interest form and resume, we will be in touch within 2-3 business days.
    6. After you’ve completed the form, we will send you ASA’s Instructor Candidate Packet to apply to the upcoming IQC. Our Instructor Evaluator (IE) will review your application and let you know what the next steps are.
    7. Please note: acceptance into the course depends on approval of the application and remittance of payment. We encourage applicants to return their forms promptly so we can guarantee a space. IQC’s are non-refundable; cancellations or rescheduling within 30 days of the IQC will result in a $100 fee. 

Upcoming Instructor Qualification Courses

Sailing Instructor – Work for Seattle Sailing Club

Available Now:  P/T Instructor

Seattle Sailing Club teaches American Sailing Association sailing lessons from beginner to advanced. Along with our ASA lessons, instructors also have the opportunity to instruct in team-building events, private sailing instruction, race coaching, clinics, check-out sails, seminars, and member programs.

About us – Seattle Sailing Club has been around since 1968 and is well established as one of the largest ASA schools on the west coast of the U.S. We pride ourselves in being the “fun place to learn and sail!” and strive to pass this along to students, members, and our staff. 

Qualifications / Requirements

  • US Coast Guard License
    • Any tonnage
    • This is required to teach sailing on the Puget Sound – primarily teaching on boats with auxiliary power.
  • American Sailing Association Certified Instructor 201 or higher
  • Current First Aid & CPR Certification
  • Enrollment in a drug testing program – we use the Maritime Consortium.
  • Must have a passion for sailing, the environment, and working with people.
  • Must have a positive attitude and understanding of a flexible schedule.
  • The ability to be patient and understanding of varying learning styles.
  • Proficient in all aspects of handling keelboat sloops from 22′ to 45′ (rigging, sailing or under auxiliary power)

Responsibilities

  • Provide new and experienced sailors with a safe and supportive environment to learn sailing.
  • Teach safety, boat handling, and sailing theory to adults in keelboats who are beginning or intermediate sailors.
  • Develop and follow  Seattle Sailing Club lesson plans that include classroom and on-the-water drills.
  • Have understanding and patience for the students and be able to adapt to their individual needs.
  • Maintain a clean and inviting classroom.
  • Train students to properly put away Club boats at the end of each sail.
  • Provide students with information about Club programs and events
  • Administer and grade ASA certification exams.

Desired Skills

  • Coast Guard Sailing Endorsement
  • Experience teaching/coaching sailing.
  • Racing, teaching spinnaker courses, and/or coaching race teams
  • Team building / Corporate experience
  • Local knowledge of the Puget Sound area.
  • Charismatic leadership

Schedule & Availability

As an instructor, you have tons of flexibility! We teach year-round and can offer work year-round to most of our instructors. We welcome instructors who want to teach as little as 4 times a year. Scheduling instructors depends on our lesson schedule, the time of year, and current events.

Check-out our lessons to learn more about what each course requires.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Compensation: DOE
  • Pro deals on Gill, Dubarry, Mustang, Grundens, and other brands
  • Access to sail the Club fleet

To apply, please send us an email introducing yourself along with a resume.

(206) 782-5100
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