Learn to Race Sailboats with ASA 102
The idea of sailboat racing may seem fun but if you think the process of actually getting out there and trying it sounds daunting, you’re not alone! Luckily, the American Sailing Association (ASA) just launched a new course to make the process of becoming a sailboat racer easier than ever. Here’s how ASA 102 makes learning to race sailboats a breeze:
Getting Acquainted
The first step in sailboat racing isn’t the race itself— it’s getting acquainted with your boat! When you arrive at the Go Sail Flathead Lake at Dayton Marina for your ASA 102 course on Flathead Lake, you’ll be greeted by your instructor. They’ll get to know you and make sure you get a chance to look at the boat you’ll be racing. Since ASA 101 is a requirement for ASA 102 and you’ll have completed all the required pre-reading for ASA 102, the walkthrough shouldn’t bring any surprises!
Your First Skipper Meeting
After meeting your instructor and your sailboat, it’s time to head to the skippers meeting at the South Flathead Yacht Club. There, you’ll get to know the other sailors and be a part of the planning process. The skippers will discuss wind speed, wind direction, and other factors that will influence the race’s route and length. If you have any questions about the course that’s decided upon, let your ASA 102 instructor know!
Off to the Races
The best way to learn is by doing. That’s why Go Sail Flathead Lake introduces you to sailboat racing with, well… a race! Your ASA 102 course begins at 9am and by 11am you’ll be on your sailboat and off to the races. Don’t worry though, you aren’t being thrown into the deep end of the pool on your own. Your ASA 102 instructor will be on the boat with you, guiding you through the race.
Monday Night Quarterbacking
By the end of the race, we’re sure you’ll be impressed with how well you did and how easy sailboat racing is with the help of a great instructor! However, no one is perfect and the rest of the class day will be spent going over the details of your race, practicing maneuvers that could have gone better, and testing out different positions on the boat that you didn’t get to try during the race.
Practice Makes Perfect
It’s onto day 2 of ASA 102 and learning to race a sailboat! The second day in your course is all about honing in on the racing skills you learned on day 1 with more races, feedback, and practice. You’ll also have the opportunity to cement yourself in the history of Go Sail by competing against other ASA 102 students’ time racing around Wild Horse Island!
Begin Your Sailboat Racing Journey
Learning to race a sailboat has never been easier. With ASA 102 you’ll learn all the skills you need to make sailboat racing a lasting and fulfilling hobby. Ready to race with us on Flathead Lake? Sign up for your ASA 102 course here.