Hello ASA Friends and Family,
2020 was not normal but ASA managed to learn a few things.
This year is coming to an end and we look forward to the new year with hope, enthusiasm, and optimism. 2021 will be a year to reap the benefits of all that we learned in 2020. ASA has grown stronger with the addition of online resources to help sailors advance their sailing education through this pandemic. 2020 highlighted the value of sailing and 2021 will be a banner year in terms of growth for our lifestyle. The future is bright and our sailing community has grown at a rapid pace in 2020 and will continue to grow in 2021. We welcome the new sailors who discovered and fell in love with the wind, water, and rush of energy that comes from sailing during this difficult year. We applaud everyone who took to the ocean for safety and social distancing. For sailors, the oceans and lakes and waterways that we utilize became both therapeutic and an escape. And, most of all, we applaud you, our loyal ASA members, for your unwavering support.
ASA welcomes 2021 and is looking forward, with great anticipation, to the beginning of a new era in sailing.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you from the ASA Family.
Cindy Shabes, ASA President.
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If the special person in your life has an affinity for the ocean, is an avid sailor or has just expressed an interest in sailboats, let this be your guide to giving the gift of sailing this holiday season.
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Expert Weather Analysis of
2020 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race
Free Webinar - Tuesday, December 22nd, 4PM (EST)
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Register for free to attend the live webinar covering the 600-mile ocean race across the Bass Strait from Sydney to Hobart, Tasmania. In this webinar Chris and Peter from Marine Weather University will take a professional look into the weather situation setting up for this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. Is the record at risk? Are the big or little boats favored on handicap? In the process they will show off some of the tools of their respective trades: professional weather analysis and weather routing. This fun and informative course will be a combination weather briefing and tactical analysis. It is aimed at anyone interested in learning about marine weather and preparation for a passage or race. And it will be invaluable for race participants.
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This is the season to be reading and every sailor has a favorite book that is brought out at a favorite anchorage. This year we have decided to share a few favorite books that speak to sailors and ocean lovers. While we may enjoy reading books about most topics, these are specific to the ocean, boats, and the lifestyle of sailing.
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The 2020 Hands Across The Sea Sweepstakes has illustrated what ASA has known all along. Sailors are a generous group and even when faced with a tumultuous year they find a way to help their community.
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The British Virgin Islands Reopened on December 1st, 2020. Take a look at what you have to do to get back to the most popular cruising grounds in the Caribbean.
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This year the 36th edition of the America’s Cup is being held in Auckland, New Zealand. The boat designs are different than in the first race, but the principles of sailing still hold. The winner will be able to harness the wind’s energy and propel themselves to a worldwide victory in the greatest sailing race of them all.
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ASA Remembers Frank Butler
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The sailing world lost an icon last month, Frank Butler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Catalina Yachts, passed away on November 15, 2020. Butler is credited with putting over 85,000 Catalina sailboats on the water and growing sailing in immeasurable ways.
Frank Butler’s sailing legacy will continue well into the future as he leaves behind Catalina Yachts, which he founded in 1969 in Hollywood, California.
Frank is survived by Jean, their four daughters, Deborah Reese, Mary Linn, Nancy Bear, and Karen Butler; three sons, David, Robert and Steve; 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
Frank Willis Butler Jr.
JANUARY 17, 1928 – NOVEMBER 15, 2020
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You can find more online resources to improve your sailing skills & knowledge on our Sailors Resources page.
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