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Sailing With Style
American Sailing E-News
September 2011 
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Greetings!
The sailing season is winding down for many people, but there are still a lot of ways to stay involved with the sport and the lifestyle. In this issue of Sailing with Style, you'll find information on our brand new online course, "Your First Sail," get a sneak peek at some of our flotilla destinations for next year, and get a tour of California's little-known, but spectacular, Channel Islands. Please enjoy, and email us with your suggestions so that we can continue to improve it. We hope to see you at one of ASA's flotillas, member events, or regional boatshows soon! Sincerely,
Charlie Nobles
Executive Director |
ASA Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands Flotilla
Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to Heather Mussard
of "Ad Libitum" for taking the winning
Gulf Islands Flotilla photo. Heather will
be receiving a $25 check for her photo.
Congratulations to JP McConnell of "Sensation" for taking the winning San Juan Islands Flotilla photo. JP will be receiving a $25 check for his photo.
Check out all the great ASA flotilla photos here!
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SAVE THE DATE!
ASA will cruise Victoria
and the San Juan Islands
JUNE 15-22, 2012!
We'll be sailing the Pacific Northwest
once again in summer 2012! Explore the
beautiful San Juan Islands, as well as the cosmopolitan, European-flavored cities of Victoria and Vancouver, Canada. The 2012 flotilla will include destinations not visited on previous flotillas, so even if you've sailed this area before, there will be something new to see. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind sailing locale.
For more info check it out here!
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Enter ASA's Fan Appreciation Sweepstakes by Sept 14th
for the chance to win
great prizes!
ASA is hosting a Fan Appreciation Sweepstakes on our Facebook page! Our two grand prizes are an iPod Touch 8G and $250 toward ASA sailing lessons. There are plenty of other chances to win, as well, including a Weems & Plath Navigation Kit, a plush sailcloth cooler from Sailor Bags, and more. Entering is easy, all you have to do is visit our Facebook page and follow the simple instructions! Just click here.
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ASA Launches its first
eLearn Course!
Check it out! ASA's brand new online course, Your First Sail, is the fastest way to get started on your sailing dreams. Whether you're curious about sailing, preparing for your first on-the-water class, or just want to be more helpful the next time you go out with friends, Your First Sail will give you the confidence and basic knowledge you need to have a great time. More information here
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Featured Charter Destination
Cruising the Channel Islands
by Captain Dan Ryder, ASA Instructor
Santa Cruz Island is in my back yard and in the yards of some four million Angelinos, yet it is in one of the least visited National Parks in the country.
That fact amazes me because the island pulls me and pulls me very strongly every time I look south. Even if she's shrouded in fog, I want to throw off the lines and head my boat across the Santa Barbara Channel.
Archeologists tell us that my compulsion is neither new nor unique. They tell us that there were settlements on the Channel Islands beginning ten or twelve thousand years ago - the oldest evidence of human settlement in North America.
The largest of the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz, is an island of contrasts: arid on the south, conifers on the north and an area that looks like Maui at West End. And the confluence of northern and southern currents make the biodiversity underwater some of the richest in the world and provide us the opportunity to sail with humpback, fin, gray and blue whales as well as seven species of pinnipeds and several varieties of dolphins.
These islands, even in the depths of the Ice Age, never touched the mainland and there are species here that exist nowhere else. Some call this the Galapagos of North America.
Santa Cruz Island, one of five islands that comprise the National Park, is about 24 miles long and is nearly 100 square miles. With more than 20 excellent anchorages, we can frequently find a spot all to ourselves. Other than the major holidays of summer, you don't have to share your space. There are no mooring fields here, so it is important to train your crew in anchoring techniques. The most spectacular overnight spots are in the mouths of ancient rivers, little one or two boat canyons - some only two boat-lengths wide -- that require well set anchors bow and stern.
Read More |
The Nautical Chef
Food Preparation for Chartering
by ASA Member and school owner Stacey Connolly
Every sailor knows that whether it's your own boat or prepping for a charter, it can be a sometimes overwhelming task to plan for provisioning in unfamiliar places. It can be a chore, or it can be a fun adventure! Here are a few ideas to keep it more towards the adventure side of things!
In preparing for over a year to sail with customers out of Sicily in the south of Italy one of the fun things for me was researching not only the rich history but also the culinary delights of the region. When prepping for any long sail trip or a charter here are some very important questions to ask yourself and things to keep in mind:
- First, what is the local history of the region that I will be sailing in?
- What are some of the most well known dishes and what do locals eat?
- What season am I travelling in? Keep it fresh and interesting.
- How close is the market to where I will be picking up the yacht? Or what marina am I in?
- Can the charter company I am dealing with start me off with a "get ready" small package provisioning option? This is great sometimes because it includes the basics, such as paper products, basic coffee, tea and breakfast items, as well as cocktail hour items. We all know getting on board with the basics and some snacks is always good.
- How many people are on my boat? What are the dietary wants, needs and restrictions of my customers or guests?
- How many days will I be at sea? Will I be in an area along the way where I can restock and reprovision?
I think one of the most important things to keep in mind is that this should be fun and you should be willing to think outside of the box and experiment with the local delights of the region you are sailing in. In my case, I will be sailing out of southern Italy, so I want to go with local produce like Sicilian tomatoes, eggplant, cheeses, breads, pastas, and of course wine! Here are a few of the recipes I picked to kick off my charter and to welcome my guests aboard. It's always nice to make a lovely spread for your guests; it's welcoming and comforting all at the same time. Just remember that you can do the same. Find out what is local, fresh and enticing and all your guests, customers or friends will be happy.
Enjoy!
Read More |
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You are cordially invited to
join us for the:
Two Can Sail
Couples Cruising Seminar
Saturday October 8th 2011
at the Annapolis Boat Show!
Learn how to take the drama out of your
dream from choosing the right boat to sailing away together in harmony!
Sponsored by Blue Water Sailing Magazine and The American Sailing Association, Team Jeff & Jean specialize in working with couples and bring this focus to their Couples Cruising Seminars. Jeff & Jean work with one couple at a time to provide cruising lifestyle training from ASA 101 to buying your cruising boat. This seminar is a forum to share the knowledge they have gained in the unique aspects that are found with one couple on a cruising boat, and their experience from over 60 combined years of cruising, racing and teaching sailing. Guest Speakers examples are: Liza Copeland, Lee Chesneau and George Day.
The Seminar is limited to 25 Couples
Seminar Fee: $275/couple ($150 single)
$25 discount to ASA Members
Click here for more info
or email info@TwoCanSail.com
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BE SURE TO VISIT US AT THE
ANNAPOLIS BOAT SHOW
OCTOBER 6TH-10TH 2011
ASA BOOTH# D27
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THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Upcoming Events September/October 2011 Labor Day may have come and gone, but there are still great sailing opportunities in September. Just check out the ASA flotillas and other events happening this month! Sept 3-10:
Jewels of Croatian Coast Flotilla --More ASA flotilla sailing among the islands of the Adriatic Sea Sept 9:
Zen 24 Demonstration, Marina del Rey, CA
--See the new electric-powered sailboat designed by legendary circumnavigator Yoh Aoki in Southern CA!
Sept. 10-17:
ASA Catalina-Newport Flotilla
--Our first ever Southern California flotilla!
Sep. 14: Last day to enter the ASA Fan Appreciation Sweepstakes on Facebook!
Sept 17 - 19:
Zen 24 Demonstration, Marina del Rey, CA
--A second chance to see the demonstration of the brand
new Zen 24 sailboat in Southern, CA!
Sept 23 - 25:
Zen 24 Demonstration, Spinnaker Sailing
--A Northern CA location added to see the demonstration
of the brand new Zen 24 sailboat Redwood City, CA
Oct 6-10:
The Annapolis Boatshow (United States Sailboat Show)
--Make sure and visit us at our booth D27
Know about some great sailing events going on in your area this Fall?
Let us know!
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