Im a 50+ yr sailor, at 63 y.o. having spent a lifetime on the water. ASA gave me the formal education that I needed to polish my skills, and they have a very good program which I highly recommend, and have been one of their certified instructors, as well as a USCG Licensed 100 Ton Master/Captain. As a long-time professional student, in my opinion ASA IS THE BEST, and very professional. 1 year ago, I was approached to also join NauticEd by its founder. NauticEd is another brand of peanut butter as was explained to me by its CEO, an additional sailing school. It was recommended by NauticEd that I become an instructor with them as well, which I elected, but was very content with ASA. It was grueling, and very time consuming - more-so in prep to Annapolis (a compliment which I made to the CEO) rather than for the average or above average sailor looking to better his or her skill level. This, I relayed to the CEO when one of my NauticEd students (an engineer - smart guy) also complained at its unnecessary difficulty. After probably 2-3 months of intensive testing and hundreds of hours invested in working at, and testing through the ranks, I received my top billing Level 5 Instructor/Captain with NauticEd, a badge well-earned on material that I felt was way over the top. In my opinion, as well as of my only NauticEd student - a seasoned sailor, there was more unnecessary focus on theories and meaningless scenarios than in areas that were absolutely necessary. A couple of months ago, I got an email from its founder that he had formulated another course designed to be adjunctive to the Captains rating which I have. I opted out, after reviewing the material as being more than I was willing to invest of my time further. I had its highest rating - and was comfortable with that. Then about a week ago, I received an email stating that it was now a REQUIREMENT that I take these additional courses - and by June 1st, or I WOULD LOSE my hard-earned Level 5 Instructor/Captain certification I earned with them. I contacted the CEO and alluded that I felt it was wrong that I be coerced to do such a thing - at the end of a barrel. He said he SPENT A LOT OF MONEY to develop these new courses and they are now mandatory. He did not concede and insisted, and in an air as if he couldnt really care less of my investment. Not well thought out on his part. Im a retired physician, and I liken this attitude to having earned my medical degree, and then have the college contact me years down the road to tell me that theyve updated information and that I must go back for more education or they will take back my diploma. Absolutely absurd and a ludicrous concept on any collegiate level at the least. NauticEd is going to do this to me (and all who do not conform) on June 1st, 2020, or lose what Ive worked so hard for. Thats a socialistic way of doing things in a freedom of choice arena. As is clear to me, the message is that there is one man making all the decisions at NauticEd, and hard-earned ratings with them are NOT FOREVER and are subject to removal at the CEOs discretion as he so pleases if one does not conform to threats (in reality, they are threats) of more future surprise work he dreams up. Who would want to invest in an education that practices these unorthodox principles ? I personally believe that ASA IS, AND WILL ALWAYS BE the top ranking sailing school in perhaps the world as I found them much more realistic and reasonable. My students absolutely love them as well. Their coursework I find very pertinent in the areas that truly need focus, and any certifications you work so hard to achieve is/are yours for the keeping and to be honored. I am very proud to be an Instructor / member of ASA and will promote ONLY ASA as being the very best, and very professionally run. With certs in NauticEd about to expire - regardless, I whole-heartedly recommend ASA for their professionally run Sailing School, recognized world-wide. NauticEd was a complete waste of my valuable time. ASA IS THE VERY BEST !

I paid for the yearly subscription in June 2019 but the passcode they sent me didnt work. Customer Contact info isnt easy to find. So far kind of a rip.

Great sailing association! Im certified member from 2016 and really enjoy members benefits. Sailing is amazing! Thank you guys!

They guided me to the schools in my area and explained the certification system. Very helpful. I think his name was Ash.