Sailing School in Grenada and the Grenadines

Horizon Yacht Charters Sailing School is an American Sailing Association affiliated facility, where first-class tuition is available on first-class yachts in the most idyllic cruising grounds in the world: the British Virgin Islands and the Grenadines.

Whether you have never sailed before but want to learn the ropes, or you are an "old salt" who wants a refresher to enhance your sailing skills and learn a few new ones, Horizon Yacht Charters Sailing School has the course for you.

asalogo The ASA program has structured levels of sailing standards, which are examined at progressive certification levels. Students receive a Logbook that lists the standards, certification and records sailing experience. All courses and examinations are run by ASA qualified instructors. When a certification level is successfully completed, your logbook is signed and stamped so that any charter or rental fleet operator can see your level of competency. The most popular courses we offer are as follows:

Basic Keelboat Sailing Standard (#101)
Prerequisites: None Sailors must sail a boat of about 20 feet or more in length in light to moderate winds and sea conditions in familiar waters without supervision. A preparatory Standard with no auxiliary power or navigation skills required. Successful candidates earn a National Safe Boating Certificate approved by NASBLA and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Basic Coastal Cruising Standard (#103)
Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing Certification Sailors must cruise safely in local and regional waters as both skipper and crew on an auxiliary powered sailboat of about 20 to 30 feet in length, in moderate winds and sea conditions.

Bareboat Chartering Standard (#104)
(Intermediate Coastal Cruising) Prerequisites: Basic Keelboat Sailing and Basic Coastal Cruising Certification An advanced cruising Standard for individuals with cruising experience. The individual can act as skipper or crew of a 30 – 50 foot boat sailing by day in coastal waters. The Standard includes knowledge of boat systems and maintenance procedures.

If you have little or no experience, then we recommend that you start off with Course #s 101 and 103. If you are on a week's charter, these two courses can be taught in 5 days, giving you a couple of days to practice your new-found skills at the end of the week or to simply relax!

Those that have cruising experience and basic seaman-ship skills should also add Course #104 to their instruction. The three courses can be taught in one week, but don't forget you are on vacation too so you may want to extend a few days to fit in some R&R! Anytime is perfect to sail in our islands, but from July 10th to October 31st we offer 10 days for the price of seven on our yachts, so you can add three free days at no extra charge on the weekly rate!

ASA instructor and class ASA Instructor Peter Alexander (left) together with school principle James Pascall (right) and students after completing ASA course in the Grenadines

In October 2000, Peter Alexander, a native of Carriacou, traveled to Tortola sponsored by Horizon Yacht Charters to undertake the ASA sailing instructor's course and examination. Candidates were examined not only for sailing proficiency but their ability to communicate this experience in teaching skills. Tests were both practical and written, practical sessions taking place on a 45 foot yacht and included single-handed recovery of a man overboard.

Captain Peter grew up in Harvey Vale, Carriacou where he learnt to sail on the locally built sailing sloops. In 1990 he joined the Windjammer Barefoot Cruise Company and sailed aboard S/V Phantome as bosun.

Two years later he joined S/V Sir Francis Drake where he continued to learn seamanship and navigation skills. Following this he gained a 100 ton St. Vincent sailing licence.

In 1993, Peter joined S/V Suvetar, a 76 foot ketch and cruised extensively throughout the Caribbean. Since then he has been busy as a freelance skipper, and is also restoring his own 35 foot yacht.

Peter is now ready to pass on the skills of sailing and navigation to students who attend the courses organized by Horizon Yacht Charters in Grenada. The structured course material from the American Sailing Association will ensure that all students gain considerable knowledge during their time spent with Peter and upon completion are able to have the sections covered endorsed by Horizon Yacht Charters operating as the ASA facility.

The American Sailing Association is one of the largest sail teaching organizations in the United States, with a broad curriculum taught by a large network of sailing schools. Horizon Yacht Charters in Grenada is the first ASA teaching facility in Grenada.

LEARN TO SAIL RATES

Rates vary according to the time of year you wish to travel, the size of your group and the courses you wish to learn. Choose the yacht you would like to rent and we will be happy to give you a price on the bareboat fee. Add the ASA Instructor's fee of $150 per day (not including food or gratuity), and between $60 to $80 per person for the ASA Course Materials, depending on the courses taken. This fee does not include food or beverages.

A TYPICAL DAY WHILE LEARNING TO SAIL

We often get asked, "what do we do on the course". Every one of our students come back and tell us how much they enjoyed themselves and are surprised that learning can also be fun! We have carefully selected our Instructors to ensure that they are excellent teachers, have the utmost patience and blend well with any group.

A typical day on one of our course might start off in the Tobago Cays with a snorkel and hearty breakfast. This would be followed by a briefing on man-overboard drills, including a discussion on different return procedures, how to get the person on board, hypothermia, life jackets etc. The designated captain for the morning is then asked for his course and destination, navigational hazards and aids that will be encountered on the way. Weigh anchor, set sail and all students have a turn at the helm and discuss other topics such as "safety at sea". Man overboard drills are practiced on the way to your next destination, the island of Mustique. Once the anchor is set it is time for lunch followed by a swim. Over lunch, the morning's sail and drills are discussed.

In the afternoon, discuss how to take a three-point fix. Designate the captain for the afternoon and ask him/her to discuss knots and their uses. Weigh anchor and set sail for your overnight anchorage at Bequia. While under sail, each student takes a three-point fix and plots the position on the chart. Anchor in Admiralty Bay, Bequia, one of the most stunning islands of the Caribbean and debrief the afternoon's exercises and discuss collision regulations over a Sundowner! Go ashore to one of the many superb restaurants for dinner on the water edge.

Whether you want to rent your own yacht or join one of our Sailing Schools, we know that you will want to come back for more! Once you have successfully completed the Courses, come back and see us next time and enjoy a special 10% discount off the yacht of your choice … and feel the thrill of being able to handle your yacht with skill and confidence.

Contact us on 473-439-1000, or fax 473-439-1001 or e-mail us at horizonyachts@spiceisle.com. Toll free call 866-463-7245.

Please see our Rate Sheet for more information on yachts, rates and deposit requirements, etc.