February Instruction for Spring Sailing

843-971-0700
www.OSAsailing.com
Charleston Harbor Marina @ Patriots Point
24 Patriots Point Rd., Mt. Pleasant, S.C. 29464

February 2011

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Hello Friends -

First of all .... February is a VERY exciting month for all of us at OnDeck/OSA. Many of you know that OnDeck (A World Leader in the Sailing Industry) acquired Ocean Sailing Academy as part of their strategy to establish Charleston as their first US location and to serve as OnDeck's headquarters in the United States.

After months of planning and "getting ready" the exciting transition to an OnDeck Sailing Center has finally begun in earnest. New logos, new websites, new boats, and some new faces at our operations here in Charleston are all meaningful changes that will help us serve the sailing community with expanded programs and services. We look forward to sharing the benefits of this transition with you during the coming months.

February is also a GREAT month for sailing here in Charleston! Sure we get some chilly days, but we also enjoy LOTS of 60 degree plus days with amazing winds! Our February students work with our best instructors in waters that are uncluttered by other boaters. If you are contemplating learning to sail or expanding your sailing resume ... look through the course offerings in this newsletter and consider doing it in February. We guarantee you a rewarding experience!

First Step for New Sailors

Basic Keelboat
1 & 2

Two 3-day sessions

Transport yourself from novice to comfortable in 6 days.

Two 3-day courses give you plenty of on-water time to gain technical knowledge of how boats sail.

"I gained a huge amount of knowledge, ability and confidence in a challenging (but not stressful) way and I enjoyed every minute of it!! Thanks."
- anonymous student survey

Duration: Two 3-day classes

Basic Keelboat 1:
February 8 - 10 or
March 11 - 13 or
March 18 - 20

Basic Keelboat 2:
February 18 - 20 or
February 25 - 27 or
March 25 - 27

Package cost for Basic Keelboat 1 & 2: $1250

* * * * *
Ready to take Basic Keelboat 2
but Feel Foggy about what you learned last year in
Basic Keelboat 1?

Our students can always retake BK1 at half price: $325

Basic Cruising Class-3 Days handling a Yacht

This comprehensive
3 day sailing class introduces managing and operating a live-aboard cruising vessel for day sails within sight of land. Students train on heavier helm-steered vessels.

"I came in a little nervous about the size of the sailboat, but Frank was so calm and relaxed I couldn't help but be the same way."
- anonymous student survey

OnDeck/OSA provides strong emphasis on close-quarters maneuvering and docking. We introduce the entire array of cruising systems and the skipper's responsibilities for systems' operation and management. read more...

February 11 - 13
March 4 - 6
March 8 - 10

Cost: $880 (graduate student rate: $835)

Coastal Passage Certification
March 29 - April 3

6-day instructional voyage designed to build confidence at the helm and chart table, as well as overall seamanship skills. Designed for the sailor with serious cruising goals.

Highlights include an overnight passage, night approaches to port, man-overboard drills in the dark and sailing to one of SC's picturesque waterfront towns like Beaufort or Georgetown depending on wind direction. You'll leave this course knowing how to plan, organize and execute a safe, efficient coastal passage of your own.

Certification Gained: Coastal Passage Making

Prerequisite: US Sailing's Bareboat Cruising & Coastal Navigation

This course rewards sailors who arrive with the skills, knowledge and experience beyond taking sailing courses; with such preparation you will be ready to make other coastal passages that demand sharp seamanship and navigational skills.

Cost: $2880

Registration Deadline: February 28.
Next Coastal Passage Class will be in the Fall.

Charleston Bermuda Race: MAY 2011
Once every 2 years a few intrepid sailors join the ranks of those who race the Atlantic, prepared to face whatever challenges and moods the ocean presents. The dream of a lifetime for many; a very direct connection with the vast unknown.

There are 2 parts to this fantastic voyage with us at OnDeck/OSA. Join one or both:

1) Race to Bermuda - May 21
The adventure begins with two 3-day training sessions in March 2011.
Then for an additional 3 days prior to the event you join your crew, this time for race and trip planning and prep, after which you set sail and race like the wind.

Cost: $4000 includes race, race-specific training and prep.
Register by February 28.

2) Sail back - early June
...while receiving certification in Ocean Passage
Either stay on board for the round trip, or fly to Bermuda and sail back with us. In order to attain the entire 1000 miles of blue water passage required to attain Ocean Passage Making certification, we'll layover in Jacksonville before continuing to Charleston.

Cost: $4000 for OnDeck/OSA grads
$4450 for others

* * *

Safety at Sea" Seminar

for Charleston Bermuda Race

March 5, 2011

Press Release - Charleston SC

A US SAILING sanctioned "Safety At Sea" Seminar will be presented by OnDeck US on March 5, 2011 from 8:30am to 5pm at Charleston Maritime Center located at 10 Wharfside Street, Charleston, SC. The day-long seminar is open to all cruising and racing skippers, crews and their families, recreational power boaters, as well as commercial fishermen. The seminar, designed and conducted by sailors, all experts in their fields, will provide novice and experienced mariners with information and skills required to prepare for sailing offshore, boat preparation, handling heavy weather, recommended safety equipment, and emergencies at sea.

The seminar, endorsed by CRUISING WORLD and SAILING WORLD Magazines and sponsored by West Marine and Landfall Navigation, has evolved from the highly successful program developed by the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. It will incorporate the latest techniques and information available. Ronald C. Trossbach will serve as the day's US SAILING approved moderator. With a 30-year Navy career, 85,000 sea miles and past posts as chairman of the Cruising Club of America and US SAILING's Safety at Sea Committees, Ron brings a wealth of knowledge to the seminar.

Expert speakers will include Bjorn Johnson, 2008 Newport Bermuda Race Chief Safety Officer and 2010 Newport Bermuda Race Chairman; David Warters, M.D., Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina and Chief of Perioperative Services at the Ralph H Johnson Medical Center; and John Harries, author and contributor to Attainable Adventure Cruising, an online offshore voyaging reference site.

Cost is $130 for US Sailing members and $135 for non US Sailing members. The fee covers lectures, demonstrations, exhibits, course materials and lunch. There is limited seating and advance registration is strongly advised. Please email sw@ondecksailing.com for a registration form or visit www.charlestonbermudarace.com .

Instructional Packages for:

1) Charleston Bermuda Race in May