American Sailing Journal - Volume 36, Issue 4, April 2019

American Sailing Journal

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Volume 36, Issue 4

April 2019

Earth day is April 22 and it is a good day to be reminded of the little things we can do as individuals to do our part to keep our oceans clean. Have you heard of #TrashTag? The Trash Tag challenge has become a viral hit as people around the globe do their part to clean up and share their progress on social media.

As part of ASA’s Plastic Pollution Purge we will be introducing #ASATrashTag. Participants will be entered in a raffle to win free ASA gear. If you see some trash in the ocean, on a beach or in a stream or lake, take a picture and share it with the hashtag #ASATrashTag and you could be a winner!

What are your plans for the upcoming sailing season? Find us on one of our social media platforms (Facebook - Instagram - Twitter) and show us how you are making a difference in our environment.

Cindy Shabes, ASA President

Our Environment

5 Gyres

Sailors in every corner of the world are taking the ocean’s plastic problem into their own hands, or rather, into their own nets. Balloons, bags, bottles, ghost nets, and all kinds of plastic trash are being pulled out of the water by boaters everywhere, but what if we could do something more with all that trash? This is where Melissa Aguayo and 5 Gyres comes in.

Read our interview >>

First Flush

After learning about Soraya Simi and her work, we checked out her short film First Flush. In just one minute we follow the journey of raindrops hitting the Los Angeles pavement, to the accumulating floodwaters traveling across roadways and down drains, all leading down to the LA River. So “if you’ve ever wondered where it all goes…” then check it out.

Watch the short film >>

Could Algae Save the World?

Traditionally the boating community associates algae with one word: nuisance. While our frustrations with algae are fair, consider all the animals we love that are housed and fed by algae!

What Do I Do?

Viral videos of marine life entangled in fishing nets are becoming more and more common. If you ever come in contact with an animal in distress, it is imperative that you are prepared to handle these encounters properly.

For our latest episode of Inside Sailing, we interviewed the “Voice of the America’s Cup” Tucker Thompson. Tucker spoke about his career as a sailing broadcaster, the radical technology the AC employs and the influence this age-old sporting event has on sailing as a whole.

Watch Now >>

Sailing Destinations

Sailing in Hawaii

The first time you move across the channel between Maui and Molokai you are introduced to the tradewinds that blow over the West Maui Mountains. The sailboat heels over and you move across the channel with purpose. It’s a wet ride.

Sailing in Seattle

Take a moment and breathe in the crisp air on Puget Sound. Feel the wind as it moves across the water and through your hair. Mount Baker in the distance Victoria to the north and the Pacific Ocean beyond a series of islands heading out west.

Sailing Tips

Planning a Daysail

Sailing is about allowing nature to come into your life and dictate everything, so don’t lose sight of the idea that sailing is very fluid and your plans are very much dependent on what the conditions allow you to do.

See Our Checklist >>

Planning a Sailing Vacation

There comes a moment when you are sprawled out on a beautiful beach and you look out at the ocean and see a sailboat and you wish you had opted for some time on the water. Why not learn to sail while on vacation?

Sailing Vacation Tips >>

You can find more online resources to improve your sailing skills & knowledge on our Sailors Resources page.

KEEP IN TOUCH...