PAGE 10 • SUMMER 2006 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION
FEATURE STORY
continued from page 1
According to ASA Executive Director Charlie Nobles, the
event is a natural complement to ASA’s series of classes as
taught by its 300 affiliated sailing schools. “Many — if not
most — of the people who learn to sail with the ASA do so
with the goal of eventually skippering either their own or a
chartered boat in an exotic destination. So it seems like a
natural for ASA to host specific sailing events in which our
students and affiliated schools can participate.
Nobles emphasized that the flotilla welcomes all levels
of sailors, from the complete novice to the veteran sailor.
“For those with little or no sailing experience, the warm
Quaint island cafes and bars perfect for relaxing with fellow
water and relatively mild late-fall sailing of the Caribbean
sailors abound throughout the BVIs.
is the ideal introduction to the wonderful world of
sailing. Students who have completed ASA classes
through bareboat chartering, but have less experience
example, if a given boat will be conducting a bareboat
chartering away from home, can use the ASA flotilla as a
charter certification class, it might separate from the
great intermediate step to build confidence toward
flotilla for two to three days, then rejoin the group. Boats
bareboating later on their own. ASA instructors can
going along more for the vacation aspect will likely stay
accompany the group either to teach classes during the
with the main group since daily activities and parties will
week or to simply enjoy the sail and accompanying
take place throughout the week.
planned activities each day.”
Interested ASA members should first contact a nearby
ASA has reserved all Beneteau 403 exclusive line yachts.
ASA school to find out more information about
These boats are generally less than two years old and are
participating in the flotilla. Additionally, anyone may call
the best of the charter fleet. In addition to all the normal
ASA directly and ask to speak with Brenda Wempner,
equipment expected on a first line charter yacht, they
who is coordinating the event.
come with auto pilot, GPS and dockside air conditioning.
ASA expressed its hope that the association will
The flotilla will have a defined itinerary for each day, but eventually offer two to three flotillas every year as part of
participating affiliate schools or boats may join the main its ongoing campaign to get more people actively
group for either some or all of the activities. For involved in the cruising aspect of sailing.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY FOR FALL BVI FLOTILLA ’06
Friday - Arrive Tortola. We’ll stay overnight in Tortola at the Tuesday - We’ll all meet ashore to dine together at The
Mariner Inn. Captain’s Table for dinner. During the day, there’s another
chance for diving. You can also rent dinghies or small
Saturday - Chart and boat briefings start at 8:30 a.m., catamarans to play with at BEYC.
check out the boats and get underway about noon. Sail to
first night’s anchorage at Marina Cay. There’s great Wednesday - Sail up to Anegada for the night. The
snorkeling across the anchorage at Great Camanoe Island Anegada Reef Hotel has the best lobsters in the Caribbean.
and a nice look-out at the top of the Cay. There’s also a dive
shop, restaurant and a store ashore. Thursday - It’s a nice long reach to Cane Garden Bay or Jost
Van Dyke for the night. There’s a party at Foxy’s Thursday night.
Sunday - Get over to The Baths early enough to catch a
mooring buoy for the morning. Then sail to Cooper Island Friday - Stop at Soper’s hole for lunch and on to Norman
for the night. Cooper is a great spot to set up for a dive on Island for the night. Norman Island is the place that inspired
the H.M.S. Rhone. Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
Monday - Certified divers may opt to do a scuba dive on Saturday - Get in some more snorkeling if you can get up early,
the H.M.S. Rhone. Experienced snorkelers may try an then shoot for getting the boat back to The Moorings by 11 a.m.
introductory dive course here. Sail to Bitter End Yacht Have lunch, check in to your room and visit Road Town.
Club in Gorda Sound. This is a little more than a three-
hour sail. Sunday - Check out of hotel and depart Tortola.
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24