The ASA 203 Coastal Cruising Instructor Qualification Clinic prepares qualified instructors to teach sailors how to safely operate an auxiliary-powered cruising sailboat in coastal waters.

Candidates must demonstrate the knowledge, practical boat-handling ability and instructional skills required to teach the ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising curriculum. Evaluations focus on whether you can perform the required skills proficiently, explain the reasoning behind them and effectively teach students aboard a larger cruising sailboat.

This is an evaluation of existing sailing and teaching skills, not a coastal cruising course. Candidates should arrive fully prepared to demonstrate both their competence as sailors and their effectiveness as instructors.

Successful candidates earn the ASA 203 instructor qualification and may teach ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising through ASA schools worldwide.

What You’ll Demonstrate

During the clinic, candidates will be evaluated on their ability to:

• Demonstrate the knowledge and practical skills included in the ASA 103 standard
• Operate an auxiliary-powered cruising sailboat safely under sail and power
• Demonstrate sail handling, sail trim and reefing procedures
• Maneuver and dock the vessel using appropriate planning, communication and control
• Select an anchorage and demonstrate proper anchoring procedures
• Apply basic coastal navigation, chart reading and weather awareness
• Explain cruising sailboat systems, equipment and safety procedures
• Demonstrate crew-overboard recovery and emergency procedures
• Apply Rules of the Road and proper VHF radio procedures
• Demonstrate required knots and marlinspike seamanship
• Organize and direct the crew using clear, effective commands
• Prepare and deliver an assigned classroom presentation
• Teach assigned skills aboard the boat using effective instructional techniques
• Apply sound judgment, professionalism and ASA instructional standards

Candidates will also complete the required written, practical and teaching evaluations.

Prerequisites

• ASA 201: Keelboat Sailing 1 Instructor certification

Candidates should:

• Hold the required preceding ASA instructor qualification
• Meet the knowledge and practical standards of ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising
• Possess the applicable skills identified in the ASA International Logbook
• Have experience operating an auxiliary-powered cruising sailboat
• Demonstrate strong communication, leadership and instructional ability
• Hold a current ASA instructor membership as required for clinic registration

Preparing for the Clinic

Registered candidates will receive detailed preparation instructions, required assignments and clinic materials before the course begins.

Candidates should be prepared to:

• Review the ASA 103 Standard Course Syllabus and applicable instructor materials
• Review Basic Cruising Made Easy and other advanced seamanship resources
• Complete assigned student-level examinations and candidate paperwork
• Prepare an assigned classroom presentation and IDEAS lesson plan
• Practice all required ASA 103 maneuvers under sail and power
• Review docking, anchoring, navigation, vessel systems and emergency procedures
• Practice crew commands, required knots and afloat instruction
• Bring their ASA Logbook and ASA membership card
• Bring a properly fitting PFD or use one provided for the on-the-water portion
• Candidates are expected to already possess the ASA 103 textbook and materials from their student-level course. These materials are not included with clinic tuition.

What’s Included

Course tuition includes:

• Instructor Evaluator-led ASA 203 Qualification Clinic
• Instructor-level written examination
• Review and evaluation of required student-level examinations
• Practical sailing and power-handling evaluations
• Docking, maneuvering and anchoring evaluations
• Crew command and vessel-management evaluations
• Classroom teaching presentation evaluation
• Afloat teaching demonstration
• Use of the training vessel and required sailing equipment during the clinic
• ASA 203 Coastal Cruising Instructor qualification upon successful completion of all requirements

Format:

This intensive one-day clinic combines written, classroom and on-the-water evaluations.

• Sunday, May 23rd: 8:00am – 5:00pm

Course Tuition

$425 per candidate

Successfully completing ASA 203 qualifies you to teach ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising and prepares you to continue to ASA 204 Bareboat Cruising Instructor.

Demonstrate that you can confidently handle a cruising sailboat and teach your students how to do the same.