Become Certified with the American Sailing Association

Take your ASA 101 and 103 courses in the dynamic sailing conditions close to home or while on vacation in Durango and save on costly travel expenses. Our certified instructors will prepare you for your sailing goals during our intensive, on-the-water courses. So, grab a friend or family member and sign up together!

Our Courses

ASA 101

Group - $545/person

Private - $1,300/single

ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Course @ Lake Nighthorse, Durango, CO or Navajo Lake, Arboles, CO. Learn to sail a small sloop in light winds in this fun 3 day intensive course. We boast small class sizes, and fun, knowledgeable, laid back instructors. Visit the ASA website for course syllabus details. Tuitions include log books, exam fees, and a 3 month membership to the American Sailing Association

Click Here for ASA 101 Course Syllabus

ASA 103

Group rate per person - $545

Group Alumni Rate - $495

Private - $1,300/Single

ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising @ Navajo State Park, Arboles, CO or Navajo Lake, Arboles, CO. Learn to sail a small sloop in light winds in this fun 3 day intensive course. We boast small class sizes with fun, knowledgeable, and laid back instructors. Visit the ASA website for course syllabus details. Tuitions include log books, exam fees, and a 3 month membership to the American Sailing Association

Click Here for ASA 103 Course Syllabus

ASA 104

Earn your ASA Certification on the Sea of Cortez aboard our C&C 33’.

This course is taught on the water, with extra days in the classroom learning charting and navigation basics. The class will spend 2 nights at anchor while island hopping and adventuring on the incredible Sea of Cortez.

Group rate per person - $1,200

Group Alumni Rate - $995

Private - $4,000

Click Here for ASA 104 Course Syllabus

ASA 101-103 Combo Courses

Choose to combine your Certification package locally in Colorado and get all the basic sailing skills dialed in before your next sailing adventure

Combo Group - $975/ person

Combo Private - $2,400

EMAIL TO SCHEDULE

ASA 101-104 Combo Courses

Get Charter ready by combining 101-104 while you gain experience coastal cruising as you island hop, anchor watch and soak it all in sailing the gorgeous Sea of Cortez in Mexico!

*Have the experience, but not the certs? Students may challenge the 101-103 with us prior to this course. Call or email to create a customized program.

EMAIL TO SCHEDULE

Reserve Your Course

Email Us

Our course calendar is customizable. You tell us your ideal date and if you want a group or private course and we'll book it!
While we are based in Southwest Colorado, our instructors are certified to teach anywhere in the world! Book your course on a charter boat in a buck list destination, on our dynamic local lakes, or with us on the magical Sea of Cortez.

Customize Your Course

Whether you are learning to sail for the first time, or seeking certification to match your previous experience we can offer you the certification pathway that suits your goals
We can help you decide which courses to take and where to best take them. Our class sizes are intentionally small so we can tailor the course to your individual goals.

Prepare

Our team will help you sort your travel plans and understand what to expect during your course
No one learns to play baseball by reading a book. While the first read through of a sailing text can be daunting, we recommend getting that first read though finished prior to your course. Our skilled instructors will help you build a solid foundational understanding during your course.
Not your style? Let your instructor know in advance. We work with all learning styles!

FAQs

We sail May- October in Southwest Colorado, and late October to late May on the Sea of Cortez.
Our instructors are for hire year around should you have another desitnation in mind.
Our ideal class size is 3 students. We are happy to take 4 students. Any more than 4 students must be requested and will be considered a private group.
Navajo State Park offers a variety of camping and has some local Airbnb's. The area is rural however, so most of our students stay in Durango or Pagosa Springs to take advantage of local dining and shopping options.
We do! Please request to stay aboard our vessels for your course. For our Sea of Cortez Courses, we recommend staying on shore and planning multi-night excursions on board.
The short answer is: it's dynamic.
The air in Southwest Colorado is not only influenced by the topography of the Mountains, but also the desert. We have large arid flat areas surrounded by tall mountain peaks. The effect of how heat moves in this area creates unique weather patterns that frequently change.
On our lakes we can experience near gale force winds for very short periods of time allowing novice sailors to "nibble on a squall!" We get to teach and learn heavy weather techniques without the risk and exhaustion of sustained storms. Our students can learn how to manages gusts, prepare for heavy air, and manage their emotions in challenging conditions.
It is the perfect training ground to prepare for adventuring into bigger water or adventures where storms are possible.
Our team is as dynamic as our air!
We have instructors who are local and international. Some are self taught salts who refined with time at the helm and ASA certification, some are trained in East Coast yacht culture, some began with our school and have become passionate instructors. All are ASA Certified at a minumum and able to accompany you in your learn to sail journey anywhere in the world.
No! Sail Durango is Peaks and Tides' sister school.
Peaks and Tides is an American Sailing Association affiliate school who's mission is certify students in ASA curriculum standards, and provide adventure sailing experiences for sailors from all backgrounds and levels.
Sail Durango is a Community Sailing non-profit whose mission is to to create opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to learn and thrive through sailing, fostering STEM, safety, sportsmanship, athleticism, self-confidence, leadership, teamwork, and conscientious environmental stewardship.