Beginner Sailing Lessons
Taking the first step into the sailing community can sometimes feel more like a giant leap. The Seattle Sailing Club, in conjunction with the American Sailing Association, not only takes the stress out of the journey, we make it fun. Our experienced instructors are sure to provide you with all the information necessary to succeed in your sailing lessons. They will work at your speed, allowing you to make the most out of every minute you spend on the Puget Sound. We guarantee that you will feel comfortable on the water and have the knowledge to pass the course and receive the American Sailing Association seal of approval.
Please note: all sailing lesson prices are subject to sales tax.
ASA 101 Keelboat Sailing 1
This 15-hour sailing course is ideal for students who are new to sailing or have some experience and want to deepen their skills. It lays the foundation for safe, confident sailing. With guidance from experienced instructors, you’ll learn essential terminology and hands-on techniques like hoisting sails, tacking/jibing, basic navigation, knots, rules of the road, and seamanship – all while building the knowledge and confidence to be a capable, active crew member on board.
SSC Member Price
$595
❄️ Winter Pricing
$505 (Save $90)
❄️ Winter Pricing applies to lessons that take place between November 1 and March 31.
Non-Member Price
$750
❄️ Winter Pricing
$635 (Save $115)
❄️ Winter Pricing applies to lessons that take place between November 1 and March 31.
3 hours in a classroom; 12 hours on-the-water hands-on instruction.
- Terminology
- Knots
- Rules of the Road
- Sail Theory
- Safety
- Tacking/Jibing
- Rigging
- Seamanship
- Upwind/Downwind sailing
- Points of Sail
- Crew Overboard Recovery
- 18+ years old
Class Size:
Minimum to run a lesson: 3 students/lesson
Maximum in each lesson: 4 students/lesson
Lesson Schedule
Two consecutive days: 9:00am to 5:00pm each day
Additional Schedule Options
Evenings from 5:30pm to 9pm (2 consecutive weeks).
Lesson Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations within 14-days of the lesson are non-refundable.
- Rescheduling within 14-days of the lesson will result in a rescheduling fee of 25% of the cost of the course.
- Prices are subject to change. Student will be responsible for paying the price difference upon rescheduling.
Lesson Refund Policy:
- Lessons are refundable up to 6 months after purchase.
- Shipping costs are non-refundable.
- Course materials picked up or shipped are non-refundable.
Q: How can I prepare for my ASA course? Are there any course materials I need before the lesson?
- Schedule your lesson. Call or email the club to schedule your lesson.
- Pick up the course materials. Sailing Made Easy by American Sailing Association, ASA Log Book and ASA 101 syllabus are available at Seattle Sailing Club. If you live out of the area, we can ship the materials to you. Note: The course materials are included in the cost of the course, but there is an additional fee to ship them.
- Get a head start on the reading. Reading the textbook will give you a strong foundation to build upon when you head out on the water, helping you feel more comfortable and confident. Though it may seem difficult to learn how to sail from a book, the foundation you build by doing so will make understanding the hands-on teaching that much easier. We recommend completing the brief Chapter Review Quizzes as you go.
- Pack your bag according to the marine weather forecast. We suggest bringing a waterproof outer shell, warm layers made with polyester, fleece, wool or merino wool (no cotton), non-slip/non-marking shoes, a water bottle, lunch, sunscreen, and chapstick. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) website provides up-to-date weather forecasts for the Puget Sound area. At the bottom of the page, you will find the forecast for the Puget Sound and Hood Canal. See our Gear Guidelines and Suggest Packing Lists for more information.
- Read and Review our ASA lesson policies including cancellation/refund and safety policies, weather information, and more.
Q: What is the certification process and how much does it cost?
- Complete the lesson.
- Pass the ASA 101 written certification exam along with the on-the-water skills test (completed during the last day of the lesson).
- ASA Fees (Completed at Seattle Sailing Club) Our school is an affiliate of the American Sailing Association. The ASA takes the lead on sailing instruction and sailing schools within the United States. SSC’s sailing lessons correspond to ASA’s internationally recognized curriculum to prepare you to take the certification exam. If you choose to get certified (more than 90% of our students do) there are ASA fees in addition to what you paid for the course itself. There is a $39 ASA Student Registration Fee and each certification carries a fee of $30. The certifications are good for life.
- Upon completing this course you will have the required skills to act as a competent crew on a sailing vessel. While you will not be certified to skipper a boat, you will have the necessary skills to return the boat to shore in the event that something happens to the skipper. Your certification should arrive in the mail within 4 to 6 weeks after passing your certification exam.
- Get on the water! Consider a membership at SSC to enjoy special member-only access to flotillas, classroom and on-the-water clinics, racing, and so much more!
I had a very positive experience learning to sail with SSC. My instructor was very helpful and knowledgeable. I feel like I came away with new skills and feeling more comfortable on out on the water. J.M. -- SSC Student
ASA 102 Keelboat Sailing 2
ASA 102 is a hands-on, skills-focused course designed to build confidence and competence at the helm. Students will spend most of their time actively sailing, developing muscle memory and boat-handling skills through guided practice and repetition.
The course emphasizes situational awareness, purposeful sailing, and effective control techniques for adapting to changing wind and water conditions. Instruction takes place almost entirely on 20- to 30-foot keelboats in daytime conditions and winds up to 20 knots, with minimal classroom time.
Although ASA 102 is numbered between ASA 101 and ASA 103, it is not a prerequisite for ASA 103 or any higher-level ASA courses. Instead, it offers an opportunity to strengthen sailing fundamentals and refine boat-handling skills. It is also an excellent course for experienced sailors—including racers and ASA 104 or 106 graduates—who want to deepen their understanding of sail trim, helming, and vessel control.
Important Prerequisites & Preparation for This Course
Prerequisites: We recommend students have 20–24 hours of logged sailing experience before taking this course. If you are a recent ASA 101 graduate with limited sailing experience, we encourage taking a Continuing Education class or ASA 103 first. Please contact us if you have questions about which course is right for you.
Required Pre-Study: This course includes 4–6 hours of online preparation (a link will be provided after booking to waive the $59 fee) and reading the ASA 102 textbook, Boat Handling and Sail Trim Made Easy (included in the course fee).
Important: We strongly encourage all students to complete the online prep course and read the ASA 102 textbook before arriving, as these materials provide important preparation for the course. If the prerequisites have not been completed, the instructor may discuss rescheduling options with the student. Standard cancellation and rescheduling policies will apply.
Course Highlights:
- Builds upon ASA 101 and 103 skills with a focus on close-quarters maneuvering, sail trim, helming, and crewing
- Strengthen sailing fundamentals and refine boat-handling skills
- Great for logging recommended sailing hours between certification levels
- Offers a broad foundation, touching on curriculum elements from ASA 103, 104, and 106
- Valuable for sailors seeking to sail more efficiently, comfortably, and confidently
- Provides racers with advanced techniques in sail shape, tuning, and tactical sail handling
- Is not a prerequisite for ASA 103
102 was a great chance to spend time with many of the niceties of sail trim and boat handling that are less emphasized in other courses. Sofia took us through all of a busy curriculum, but still gave us plenty of time to play and experiment with things and see how they worked. A high point of the class was getting the boat to sail backwards. It was great to be able to synthesize what we read in the 102 book with Sofia’s practical experience. I’d recommend this class and Sofia to anyone wanting to refine their sailing expertise. Mike R, ASA 102 student
❄️ Winter Pricing applies to lessons that take place between November 1 and March 31. SSC Member Price
$595
❄️ Winter Pricing
$505 (Save $90)
❄️ Winter Pricing applies to lessons that take place between November 1 and March 31. Non-Member Price
$750
❄️ Winter Pricing
$635 (Save $115)
Course Format: Because there is no classroom component, all students must complete the online 102 Prep Course and assigned textbook reading before arriving for their class. There will be no time to catch up or review materials during the lesson. By enrolling in this course, the student agrees to complete ASA’s 102 Online Prep Course prior to attending, which includes all the lessons and a final exam. This is in addition to reading the ASA 102 textbook. Once enrolled, the student will have unlimited access, allowing them to pause and resume the coursework as needed. Upon completion, the student will receive a Certificate of Completion. This will need to be submitted to us prior to your lesson. Class Topics: Additional Schedule Options
This 20-hour hybrid course includes:
Class Size:
Lesson Schedule
Lesson Cancellation Policy
Lesson Refund Policy:
Q: How can I prepare for my ASA course? Are there any course materials I need before the lesson?
Q: What is the certification process and how much does it cost?
ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising
This 21-hour (3-hours classroom, 15-hours on-the-water, 3-hour graduation sail, 1-hour exam) course builds directly on the skills learned from ASA 101. If your goal is to skipper boats under 30 feet, equipped with an inboard or outboard engine, and tiller driven, look no further. ASA 103 will sharpen your skills and certify you to skipper boats under 30ft.
SSC Member Price
$655
❄️ Winter Pricing
$555 (Save $100)
❄️ Winter Pricing applies to lessons that take place between November 1 and March 31.
Non-Member Price
$855
❄️ Winter Pricing
$725 (Save $130)
❄️ Winter Pricing applies to lessons that take place between November 1 and March 31.
3 hours in a classroom*; 15 on the water hands-on instruction; 3-hour graduation sail with classmates
- Basic Navigation
- Planning a Day Trip
- Sail Selection
- Inboard engine basics
- Weather and safety
- Reefing
- Heaving-to
- Docking Upwind/Downwind (inboard + outboard engines)
- Anchoring
- Boat Handling under sail and power
- Sail Trim
- 18+ years old
- ASA 101: Keelboat Sailing 1 Certification
Class Size:
Minimum to run a lesson: 3 students/lesson
Maximum in each lesson: 4 students/lesson
Friday evening, Saturday & Sunday
Friday – 6:00pm to 9:00pm, Saturday & Sunday – 9:00am to 5:00pm (all sessions completed in 1 weekend)
Weekday Lessons
Two consecutive days – 9:00am to 6:30pm each day
Lesson Cancellation Policy
- Cancellations within 14-days of the lesson are non-refundable.
- Rescheduling within 14-days of the lesson will result in a rescheduling fee of 25% of the cost of the course.
- Prices are subject to change. Student will be responsible for paying the price difference upon rescheduling.
Lesson Refund Policy:
- Lessons are refundable up to 6 months after purchase.
- Shipping costs are non-refundable.
- Course materials picked up or shipped are non-refundable.
Q: How can I prepare for my ASA course? Are there any course materials I need before the lesson?
- Schedule your lesson. Call or email the club to schedule your lesson.
- Pick up the course materials. Coastal Cruising Made Easy by American Sailing Association and ASA 103 syllabus are available at Seattle Sailing Club. If you live out of the area, we can ship the materials to you. Note: The course materials are included in the cost of the course, but there is an additional fee to ship them.
- Get a head start on the reading. Reading the textbook will give you a strong foundation to build upon when you head out on the water, helping you feel more comfortable and confident. Though it may seem difficult to learn how to sail from a book, the foundation you build by doing so will make understanding the hands-on teaching that much easier. We recommend completing the brief Chapter Review Quizzes as you go.
- Pack your bag according to the marine weather forecast. We suggest bringing a waterproof outer shell, warm layers made with polyester, fleece, wool or merino wool (no cotton), non-slip/non-marking shoes, a water bottle, lunch, sunscreen, and chapstick. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s(NOAA) website provides up-to-date weather forecasts for the Puget Sound area. At the bottom of the page, you will find the forecast for the Puget Sound and Hood Canal. See our Gear Guidelines and Suggest Packing Lists for more information.
- Read and Review our ASA lesson policies including cancellation/refund and safety policies, weather information, and more.
Q: What is the certification process and how much does it cost?
- Complete the lesson.
- Pass the ASA 103 written certification exam along with the on-the-water skills test (completed during the last day of the lesson).
- Pay the $30 ASA certification exam fee.
- Plan and participate in your class’ 3-hour graduation sail on one of Seattle Sailing Club’s boats under 30ft. The graduation sail gives students the opportunity to use the skills they have acquired from ASA 103 without the guidance of their instructor.
- Get on the water! After the graduation sail, you have officially completed your certification and are certified to skipper boats from sailing organizations that recognize ASA certifications. If you’ve joined one of Seattle Sailing Club’s memberships, you are certified to skipper boats under 30ft. Your certification should arrive in the mail within 4 to 6 weeks after completing your grad sail.
My favorite memory was taking out a J/24 with my ASA 103 class as a graduation sail and having a big eagle soar over the boat while sailing 6-7 knots. Cindy P. -- SSC Student 2013