Well, it’s FINALLY time to get the sailing lessons started! This is something I’ve been longing for and yesterday I registered for the American Sailing Association ASA 101 class at a local yacht club.
Maybe it’s cheesy, but it feels almost surreal right now. I’ve waited so long for this and it’s finally become a reality. Thinking back on your own first sail….anyone have any words of wisdom to pass along?
The next class available that works with my schedule begins June 20th. I’ll be taking the lessons at North Texas Sailing School at Rush Creek Yacht Club located on Lake Ray Hubbard.
Síochána,
Mike
![ASA Basic Keelboat [Classroom]](https://i0.wp.com/fillingthesails.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/20130823_0704161.jpg?resize=150%2C150)
Since I was lucky enough to grow up sailing my own little boat and on my Aunt and Uncle’s C&C 24 (that my Bride and I later owned), I can’t really say I remember my first sail.
I do, however, remember the sail that reinvigorated the dream for me and gave it to my Bride. It was almost 11 years ago exactly (on or about April 24, 2002). We got married on the beach in St. Thomas on the 20th. The resort we were staying at, Bolongo Bay, had a catamaran, Heavenly Days, that would take you out for day sails and sunset sails. We sailed over to Honeymoon Bay on St. Johns and went swimming than sailed around on our way back to the resort.
From then on we began discussing retiring onto a sailboat. A few years later we bought our 1st boat, Splash from my Aunt and Uncle. That is when the dream really started to take shape.
Good luck with your lessons.
Fair winds,
Jesse
What great memories! And definitely sounds like it was an inspiration to retire on a boat. Thanks.
The first time I was on a boat it was in high school with friends of my parents and we all went out for a day. I don’t remember much except that it would be fun to do more often.
I took ASA-101 with a sailing school by Kemah Boardwalk Marina on a Colgate 26 training boat. If the boat you will take your class on is the same, the only advice I would give is to always be ready to duck! If someone is not paying attention, that boom can move pretty quickly. There was one time I reacted quickly or I would have been hit hard in the head. Otherwise, just be aware of which way the wind is going, don’t accidentally jibe, don’t wrap your hand with any of the lines, don’t get your fingers in between the line and a winch.
Still, Have fun! After I did my ASA-101, I really enjoyed myself. We went out on Galveston Bay and it was really nice. A year later (couple years ago), I went to a boat show near there and the sailing school had free one hour rides on the Colgates so I went out and thought “Yeah, this is fun” Then started researching for my boat.
Good luck to you. 😉
Dan
Thanks for the info, Dan. We love Kemah! Went there for the first time just last month. Planning to go back very soon.
The sailing school I’m going to uses J-22’s for the ASA-101 course. I’ll still watch out for the swinging boom, though! 🙂
Mike
Gee…wish I could say I remember way back when…but it was just last year for us. 😉
It’s not cheezy at all…reminds me of a quote from The Shawshank Redemption about the excitement only a free man could feel when embarking on a new adventure. Enjoy the adventure!
-Mike
That’s a great correlation, Mike. Time flies, doesn’t it?! In the not-too-distant future, you and I both will be able to say, “I remember back in the day when….” 🙂
Mike
Hi Mike. Very exciting. A little more than 2 month to go and you will be on the water. Enjoy every minute of it. Words of wisdom? Don’t know really, but maybe… Feel the wind and the boat rather than watching instruments ;-).
Absolutely! I can’t wait for it. Good advice, by the way. How’s everything with you guys?
Mike