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Hello Friends -
Sailing in Charleston is about to take a big leap forward.
A successful sailing school in England,  signed a partnership agreement with OSA last week. We were first approached over a year ago and are thrilled that we were chosen. The plan is to use OSA's successful sailing school model to expand the quality sailing program we've developed over the years to other US and Caribbean ports.
What does this mean for you?
We now can claim established bases in Antigua, St. Thomas, Portugal's Algarve Coast and Gosport, England. Along with new boats for charter, race opportunities will open up. You'll have easier access to 9 Caribbean regattas and the 300 yacht Rolex Fastnet, among other things.
By next year you may have the choice between RYA (Royal Yacht Association) certification here in Charleston and US Sailing certification. (see sidebar for more information).
Stay tuned over the next few months for exciting new ways to sail here and abroad, whether you're new to sailing or already windblown.
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 Coastal Navigation
2 spots left in May...
May 18 & 19 lecture
May 20 - 23 liveaboard
Our most popular upper-level class is being offered again in May. If you're interested, don't wait: the April class sold out quickly.
In this six-day Coastal Navigation class you'll spend 2 days on land (Lecture) and 4 at sea (Liveaboard).
Coastal Navigation is an essential step to self-reliance at sea. Students sail the coastline exercising pinpoint navigation with and without the aid of electronic navigation devices.
"Coastal Nav was a great class. Having seen how others teach the US Sailing courses I have to say that Ocean Sailing does it right; don't change a thing." - Rich Hoffman
"Top shelf. My instructor is extremely knowledgeable and patient. I am learning this course with a very comfortable understanding of navigation." - Graham Houghten, Columbia SC
Skills covered...
Prerequisite: Bareboat Cruising
Certification: US Sailing's Coastal Navigation
Date: May 18 - 23
June 23 - 27
Cost: $1880
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TeambuildingFamily & Friends  |
Racing
or
Cruising?
Teams  |
Now you can sail with your group whether it's corporate, church, fraternal or maternal organizations, wedding parties or friends. Spend an afternoon sailing on 2 or more beautiful yachts. We'll teach you to sail as a team whether or not you've sailed before.
·Yachts
·Instructor/Captains
·Catering optional
·Prizes, awards, photos
We can offer lunch or snacks, present prizes, take photos and generally provide an afternoon that connect your group.
 Call us to arrange a 3-4 hour sailing event on Charleston Harbor 843-971-0700
Prices: from $125/person
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MOTHER'S DAY
Mother, would you like to go sailing?
"I've been waiting 20 years for you to ask!"
So Beautiful
You'll never hear the end of it!
Sunday, May 9th, 2 - 5 pm
Charleston Harbor
Cost: $190 for 2 people
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May 24-30
215 mile Race
A Week Offshore Racing & Cruising
Roundtrip Charleston/Daytona passage
Memorial Day Weekend every other year since 1998
Half price for past Coastal Passage graduates
wanting more Offshore Time*
·May 24. Sail with our crew to Daytona
·May 28. The Gulfstreamer Race starts in Ponce Inlet, Florida. The Race begins with the traditional "race within a race" as skippers and crew sail a spring race the first 10 miles to the Daytona Beach Pier for a separate "Sprint" trophy.
Racers will continue as we turn our sailing tactics from a short spring to a test ofr endurance and seamanship as we head toward Charleston (read more.......)
·May 30. Arrive back in Charleston, tanned, tired and victorious.
Price: $3780. ($1890 if you are already certified in U.S. Sailing's Coastal Passage)
Prerequisite:
Bareboat Cruising if certification is not desired
Coastal Navigation if certification is desired.
Certification Offered:
Coastal Passage
*If you've taken the U.S. Sailing Coastal Passage Making class in the past, we invite you to come along on this trip for half price. As always, you may take any U.S. Sailing course we offer for the second time at half price. (No test required second time around.)
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Romantic Retreat
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Sunset Cruise & Overnight Anchor in Scenic Charleston Harbor
Your most romantic night in Charleston will be spent on a private yacht sailing the harbor at sunset. Your captain will prepare a delicious meal and invite you to follow dinner with a bottle of wine on deck while watching the twinkling lights of Charleston over calm water.
You'll spend the night at anchor in a protected, scenic spot. Feel the gentle lap of water at night and awaken to the throaty morning call of shorebirds as the sunrise reflects gloriously over the water.
Your captain is an instructor at our academy and welcomes participation at any level you may enjoy in sailing. All our instructors are personable and intuitive, and trained to provide our guests a safe and enjoyable backdrop to their cruise.
 Itinerary:
·Board your yacht at 4 pm for a sunset cruise on a 42' yacht followed by dinner with a bottle of wine.
·Spend the night at secluded anchor in Charleston Harbor. ·Awaken to the smells of breakfast cooking and enjoy your coffee on deck.
·After breakfast, cruise the harbor.
·We'll have you back to the dock by noon.
Rate: $765 all inclusive for 2 people
Dates Available: May 1 - December 31, 2010
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OSA/OnDeck In The News
Port City Sailing Enters New Era:
OnDeck Launches Charleston Partnerships
One of the fastest growing sailing, racing and sea school companies in the UK, Europe and Caribbean, Ondeck has announced the arrival of their highly respected and recognized brand in mainland America. The opening of a new Ondeck base in Charleston, South Carolina with the signing of a partnership agreement with OSA Sailing marks the first stop in the U.S. and forms the next step in a long term commitment to expand affordable community sailing opportunities through partnering with successful local sailing groups.
Ondeck offers a comprehensive range of sailing services including:
·Adventure sailing and Transatlantic crossings; racing in UK & Caribbean
·Regattas; match racing and regattas organized for corporate and private
·Groups; team building and leadership development and corporate
entertaining as well as RYA registered sailing schools; charter; worldwide
·Boat sales and boat management
Stay tuned for new ways to sail locally.
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"What is more pleasant than a friendly little yacht, a long stretch of smooth water, a gentle breeze, the stars?"
-William Atkin
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What is RYA certification?
Q. I'm familiar with the U.S. Sailing Certification (the one OSA offers) and ASA Certification (used by some other schools). Now I'm hearing you talk about RYA (Royal Yacht Association) certification. Is this necessary, and what is it? A. They're all good, but somewhat different. In a past column we addressed the difference between ASA & US sailing certifications. RYA has until very recently only been available in Europe. The world is getting smaller. About RYA in a nutshell: 1) RYA is recognized by charter companies throughout Europe and the Caribbean whereas US Sailing and ASA are recognized primarily in the US and Caribbean;. 2) RYA certification standards are more stringent than US Sailing and ASA requirements. 3) RYA schools can offer professional certifications, i.e. captains at all levels. England, where RYA is headquartered, is one big island; boating has always been serious business there. Seas are big, cold and rough; lots of people make their living on the water. Recreational sailing is one thing but surviving in the cold Atlantic while transporting clients is another. So, serious classes and certifications were established to meet the recreational and professional needs of north Atlantic island people. Q. When will you begin offering RYA certifications? A. Our instructors plan to begin training to those standards this summer. We hope to begin offering RYA certification in addition to U.S. Sailing certifications by next Spring. Q. Is RYA cert. something I need? A. The RYA cert. doesn't suit everyone. But if you want to charter in Europe, the RYA cert. is recognized through the Mediterranean and elsewhere. |
"OFFSHORE
CHALLENGE"
SCHEDULE
Join our crew on any or all of these races:
7 Races April thru October
1) SHERIFF'S CUP TO BOHICKET
April 23 & 25
2) OVERNIGHT TO GEORGETOWN
May 7 & 8
3) SPRING OCEAN RACE
May 15
4) GULFSTREAMER FROM DAYTONA
May 24-31
(see article at left)
5) OVERNIGHT TO BEAUFORT
August 20 & 21
6) FALL OCEAN RACE
September 18
7) ALICE CUP OVERNIGHT TO BOHICKET
October 23 & 24
e-mail us
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Basic Keelboat 1
Learn To Sail
Our Basic Keelboat classes provide the novice or untrained sailor with a firm foundation in sailing. It is the first of the 5 classes in the U.S. Sailing Certification progression to proficiency.Basic Keelboat provides you with the understanding and practice time you need for the complexities of sailing in conditions governed by tides, changeable winds and currents.All OSA classes accept no more than four students per instructor, guaranteeing you a high level of personalized attention.
"Mostly, I felt a benign sense of confidence during and after the fantastic weekend class taught by Greg. This of course is especially important given our upcoming trip to Greece."
- Kelly D., Charleston, SC
Date: May 11- 13 &
May 21 - 23
10:00- 4:00 pm
Cost: $650
No prerequisites
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