Why should a sailing center apply to become accredited? What are the benefits of the program?
- Organizations that are accredited are recognized nationally as the top sailing centers in the country in terms of safety and teaching standards, quality of staff and instruction, professionalism and how the center offers access and enjoyment of sailing to the public.
- Accredited Centers are able to use their distinction to attract donors and win grants. Accredited Centers are also eligible for specific grant opportunities through US Sailing.
- Accredited Centers are included in a network of Accredited Centers, receiving semi-annual emails from the US Sailing Accreditation Working Party with helpful information and best practices.
- Accredited Centers are eligible for a 50% annual discount on a Level 2 or Level 3 US Sailing Small Boat Instructor course.
- Accredited Centers’ staff members are invited to participate in the governing process that molds, shapes and improves the quality and reach of US Sailing programs, by being involved with the Community Sailing Committee.
- Accredited Centers are encouraged to fly the “Community Sailing Center” flag (awarded alongside accreditation) at their center, as well as to use the formal logo in their promotional materials each year.
- Accredited Centers are able to use the application process to examine and review their own programming from top to bottom. This is a healthy exercise for any organization and can often reveal areas for improvement or examples that can be shared with other organizations.
Keelboat Certification System
The US Sailing Keelboat Certification System offers seven levels of certification. They range from Basic Keelboat through Offshore Passagemaking. These certifications follow a building-block technique of combining learned skills with experience. New sailors gain knowledge and experience at each level and can take their sailing skills as far as they want to go at their own pace.
The US Sailing Keelboat Certification System is a cooperative effort among sailing schools, charter companies, the sailing industry, and US Sailing volunteers and staff. The system began in 1993 at the suggestion of representatives of several commercial sailing schools around the United States.
It is designed to provide quality training and certification in keelboats for day sailing, coastal cruising, bareboat chartering, navigation and offshore passage making.
Become a School
US Sailing is always looking to add qualified, high caliber schools/yacht clubs to our network. If you think that your school or organization might be a good fit, just fill out a Keelboat school application form and submit. If you have specific questions, please contact keelboat@ussailing.org.
Powerboat Schools
Course Providers are businesses/yacht clubs/schools that offer US Powerboating's training and education courses. Many Course Providers will list their course dates and availability either on their own website or on US Powerboating's.
Schools can be found at our US Powerboating site.
Interested in becoming a Powerboat School?
Please contact the Training Office at powerboat@ussailing.org
OR US Powerboating, 1 Roger Williams University Way, Bristol, RI 0280
