Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Points of Sail • Man Overboard • Beam Reach

ASA Certification

Term from Sailing Instruction industry explained for recruiters

ASA Certification (American Sailing Association Certification) is a widely recognized qualification system for sailing instructors and recreational sailors. It's like a driver's license for sailing, showing that someone has been properly trained and tested on specific sailing skills. There are different levels of certification, from basic sailing to advanced offshore navigation. When you see this on a resume, it means the person has completed structured training and passed both written and on-water tests to prove their sailing abilities. This certification is particularly important for sailing schools and charter companies when hiring instructors.

Examples in Resumes

Certified ASA 201, 203, and 204 sailing instructor with 5 years experience

Lead instructor with ASA Certification teaching basic keelboat and coastal cruising

American Sailing Association certified instructor for beginning through advanced courses

Typical job title: "Sailing Instructors"

Also try searching for:

Sailing Instructor Maritime Educator Boating Instructor Sailing Coach ASA Certified Instructor Keelboat Instructor Sailing School Teacher

Where to Find Sailing Instructors

Professional Organizations

• American Sailing Association Official Site
• ASA Schools Directory
• ASA Instructor Resources

Job Boards

Online Communities

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you develop and implement a comprehensive sailing curriculum for different skill levels?

Expected Answer: A senior instructor should discuss creating structured learning plans, adapting teaching methods for different learning styles, incorporating both theory and practical sessions, and ensuring safety protocols are maintained throughout all lessons.

Q: How do you handle emergency situations while teaching on the water?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of emergency procedures, preventive measures, risk assessment, crew management during emergencies, and experience with real-world situation handling.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What teaching methods do you use to help students understand basic sailing concepts?

Expected Answer: Should explain use of visual aids, hands-on demonstrations, progressive learning techniques, and how they adapt teaching style to different types of learners.

Q: How do you assess if a student is ready to move to the next certification level?

Expected Answer: Should discuss evaluation criteria, practical skill assessment methods, safety consciousness, and ASA standards for advancement.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the key safety rules you teach to beginning sailors?

Expected Answer: Should cover basic safety equipment, personal flotation device usage, weather assessment, and basic emergency procedures.

Q: How do you explain basic sailing terminology to new students?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to explain sailing terms in simple language, use of analogies, and practical demonstrations to help students understand.