American Sailing Association Reviews 

ASA textbook are incorrect, outdated, and advocate dangerous techniques. There are 15 errors on one page of one of the books...and they don't care. After teaching for them for 21 years they have lost their mission and become a Zoom/Spamalot business, to the detriment of the dedicated schools and instructors who are being cheated of revenue by ASA's Zoom approach.

BEWARE!!!!! The American Sailing Association is a SCAM. I paid thousands of dollars for the certification plus plane flights to and from the Gulf of Mexico, and hotel rooms before and after the course started. I took the course from Go Baja Sailing and I passed the exam. The instructor signed off on my book and the company said they would send the exam certificates. They never sent any certifications and ASA failed to respond to a single email I sent regarding the situation. I see from the other reviews that this is a common practice of ASA.

ASA does not care, and once you hand over the money, you are helpless as they offer zero customer service. You are much better off to go with the RYA or NauticEd.

After paying thousands of dollars for a course, ASA never provided official certification documentation.

On vacation in Hainan Island China, I contacted an ASA member, China Ocean Sport Union, to take sailing lessons. I had been communicating with them via WeChat for a week or so. They told me the couse would cost 8500 RMB ($1,300).

Once in Sanya I went to their office on the Marina, no one there. I send a WeChat message. They respond with: "The captain is having lunch and can't meet with you". They would not meet with me. I contacted ASA in the US, and told them my story. Here was their response:

I don't know why you had these unfortunate experiences. ASA-Asia schools are thriving and growing in spite of the Covid problems.

So thanks for your interesting comments. I will send them to ASA-Asia for their consideration.

Stay safe,