"I took the ASA 101 Sailing Class at the Harbor Island location, and I highly recommend them for your learning experience. Captain Richard was our instructor, and he was amazing."
Verified Review
This private, two-day ASA 101 Basic Keelboat class (9 a.m.–3 p.m. each day) is taught on a Capri 22 in calm San Diego waters and is designed for true beginners. You spend most of the time on the helm and handling lines, learning points of sail, tacking, jibing, and safe boat operations. By the end, you earn ASA 101 and are cleared to rent and sail boats up to 26 feet.
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For ages 12 and up.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate
WHAT TO BRING
Close toed rubber soled shoes + read "Sailing Made Easy" by ASA prior
CANCELLATION POLICY
Full refund with 7 days notice of cancellation.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.4★ from 202+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Students say the course is clear, structured, and way more hands-on than expected. Instructors are described as patient, safety-focused, and good at breaking down sailing concepts into simple steps. People like finishing the weekend feeling confident enough to rent a boat on their own and continue with the ASA pathway.
Take the first step toward mastering the art of sailing with Seaforth’s private two-day introductory course, certified by the American Sailing Association (ASA). This hands-on course is designed for beginners, providing essential sailing skills on a Capri 22’ in the calm, moderate conditions of San Diego Bay or Mission Bay.
- Duration: 2 days (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM each day)
- Location: San Diego Bay or Mission Bay
Boat: Capri 22’
- No prior experience required
- Reading Material: Sailing Made Easy (ASA) *not included
Course Overview:
This ASA 101 course covers the basics of sailing, including boat handling, sail trim, and safe operations on the water. You will receive personalized instruction in a small group setting, ensuring a focused learning experience. By the end of the course, you'll be certified to rent and sail boats up to 26 feet in Seaforth’s fleet.
Why ASA 101?
ASA 101 is the foundation for all future ASA sailing classes and certifications. Whether you’re new to sailing or looking to sharpen your skills, this course provides the necessary knowledge and confidence to sail safely in moderate conditions. No navigation skills are required, making it the perfect starting point for beginners.This course is taught by ASA-certified instructors from Seaforth Boat Rentals, one of San Diego’s longest-running sailing schools. Their team is experienced in teaching first-time sailors and balances safety with lots of hands-on practice, so every student gets real time on the tiller. The small-group format (3–4 students) means you get individualized feedback instead of getting lost in a big class.
Arrive 30 minutes before start time at the confirmed San Diego Bay or Mission Bay location.
Exact marina, slip, and instructor details are provided after booking.Please note all classes may be rescheduled by Seaforth if the minimum number of students is not met, due to inclement weather, or at the discretion of Seaforth Boat Rentals. In the event of forecast inclement weather, we will do our best to notify students at least 24 hours prior to cancellations.
You may cancel or reschedule your class registration more than seven days prior to your class start date. If you fail to cancel more than seven days prior to your class or fail to attend your class, your registration fees will be forfeited and you may only re-register at full price. Classes are nonrefundable within seven days of class start date.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Two Days to Your First Sail
Learning to sail is better when it happens on real water with real wind and someone beside you who has done it a thousand times. This is that version. Two days on a 22-foot keelboat in San Diego, learning how wind, sail, and hull actually talk to each other. No shortcuts, no pretending. You step on as a beginner and step off knowing how to move a boat on purpose.
Day one is about control. You get to know the boat, raise and lower sails, practice tacks, learn points of sail, and figure out how to move around the cockpit without getting in anyone’s way. On a small keelboat every adjustment shows up right away, so trimming, heading up, and falling off are not abstract ideas. You feel what the boat likes and you start to hear the wind as information, not background noise.
You do not become a sailor from the dock. You become a sailor by repeating the moves until the wind starts answering back.
Day two takes what your hands and eyes learned and puts it into a rhythm. You run patterns in the bay, watch other boats, repeat maneuvers until they are clean, and start thinking like the person responsible for crew and passengers. The instructor will give you small problems to solve: a wind shift, a safe turn, how to slow the boat down without losing control. It is still beginner friendly, but now it feels like seamanship.
When it is over you do not just have an ASA 101 certification. You have the confidence to rent a 22 or 25 foot boat on the weekend and take people out without guessing. You have a sense of how San Diego wind works across the day and what to do when it changes. Mostly, you have the memory of two good days on the water, downtown in the distance, sails drawing, and your hand on the tiller instead of watching from shore.