American Sailing Association recognizes soldiers and veterans with class discount

LOS ANGELES — Members of the U.S. military will be able to take American Sailing Association’s basic sailing course at a discounted rate, the organization announced on Oct. 1.

Active and retired military members will be offered at least $50 or 10 percent off ASA’s Basic Keelboat Sailing course (or ASA 101); the discount is offered as a “thank you” for the service provided by active and retired military members.

ASA will launch the discounted course initiative on Nov. 11, Veterans Day; the discount will be offered for 365 days.

A soft launch is scheduled for Oct. 15. The discount will be offered by participating ASA’s national network of affiliate sailing schools.

The course discount recognizes active and retired military “for their sacrifices in carrying out their respective missions to protect the United States and its interests, and maintain the safety and freedom of U.S. citizens.”

“Many schools will be offering a greater savings and several have sailboats to accommodate disabled students who need a more stable or custom platform,” an ASA spokesperson said in a released statement.

Visit asa.com for school-specific program details.

The Basic Keelboat Sailing course helps its students execute their sailing journeys by teaching them essential skills, like taking the helm or crewing a sailboat. All courses are taught by ASA-certified instructors. The course is offered over several days and covers basic sailing terminology, sailboat parts and functions, basic sail trim, points of sail, seamanship and basic navigation rules, among other topics.

Students are given the ASA 101 certification after completion of the course.

ASA is also offering active and veteran military members a free download of its mobile app, Sailing Challenge, on Nov. 11.

The American Sailing Association has more than 350 professionally accredited sailing schools within its network.