Virgin Island Sailing School was founded in 2010 by Captain Scott Dempster and is the only American Sailing Association (ASA) certified school based in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We operate from November 1st through July 31st from our base on St. Thomas Island.
We established our school and charter company here because it is, quite simply, the best place to sail in the world – almost unfailingly warm and breezy, with smooth, calm waters sheltered by surrounding islands. Each day offers new beaches to explore, breathtakingly beautiful anchorages, and seriously notable sunsets.
Virgin Island Sailing School is the epitome of experiential learning. Classes are integrated into a live-aboard cruise over a 7-day, 6-night period, so you can immediately apply what you’ve learned in each lesson. You will master the ability to be your own captain, whether day-sailing, chartering your own boat with family and friends, or building upon your new knowledge to go anywhere and enjoy the endless adventure of it all. Your options are limitless on the ocean, where you don’t need a road.
And while there are books, tests and certificates of completion, this is definitely not a traditional classroom environment. You will have plenty of time for recess, your after-school activities are yours to craft, and we promise your school days here in the islands will be like nothing you’ve ever experienced.
We offer several course tracks, as well as individual one- to two-day add-on courses. Series 1 is for true beginners or those sailors with some experience but who have not completed the ASA 101. Series 2 is for those sailors who have completed or would like to “Challenge” 101 (testing out of 101, to satisfy this prerequisite). This level includes the ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran course. Series 3 and Series 4 expands into advance navigation and night sailing for those who have completed the earlier courses.
Prerequisite for testing out of ASA 101: Challenging ASA 101 is NOT for people who have not sailed. It is only for people who have owned their own sailboats or sailed/raced in college or have passed similar sailing levels with U.S. Sailing, RYA, or other reputable organizations or possibly people who have sailed a good number of times. Please contact our business office at (805) 856-8560 to see if you qualify.
Philosophically, ASA and all of us at Virgin Islands Sailing School believe that sailing is safe, fun and easy to learn. It’s only complicated and intense if those teaching it choose to present it that way. We don’t.
The ocean is waiting. See you soon…
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