“One of ASA’s most used phrases is ’practice practice practice,’” said ASA founder Lenny Shabes. “One of ASA’s core objectives is to keep people sailing after the training is over. You’ve finished your 101 or 103 course and now you’re by yourself. The thing is, there are plenty of boats that need crew - all that’s missing is communication - this app bridges that gap.”
Although websites and other ideas have been developed to try to address this dilemma,
GO SAILING shows a lot more promise for all involved. It has been building a following in the San Francisco sailing community for years under the name Kroocial before ASA got behind it. There, in the bustling sailing community of San Francisco, the bugs were worked out and developments implemented.
The app allows skippers to create trips and for sailors to apply for those trips. The skippers have the ability to peruse the bios of applicants and decide if this potential crew has the experience and sensibilities to be a solid fit.
The app is simple to use and provides for a pleasant experience even for the less-smart-phone-savvy person. There are pictures of the boats and a list of all the info potential crew would need - contact information, skill levels, amount of crew needed, smoking/non-smoking, amount of time they plan to be out, suggested donation - these kinds of details. It’s a well thought out virtual meeting place that offers private messaging or public outreach depending on what is needed.
The app is doing well on the West Coast with racers and cruisers alike and now Shabes and the ASA team are rolling it out to the entire nation. The idea is that anyone traveling on a vacation or for business can sneak in a day or two of sailing when they never could have before.
“My favorite part about [the concept of the app] is the idea that I can, let’s say, be up in Seattle visiting some friends and if I have a free day - I can pull up the app and find someone who needs crew and get out on the water,” said Matt Kepner who owns Tradewinds Sailing School & Clubl and helped beta test the app in San Fran.
The app is free to download and use and there is no membership or subscription, which begs the question: Why would ASA invest the time and money in developing this app? According to Shabes, making strides to keep sailing accessible to those who want to learn is at the heart of what the organization is about.
“It’s our gift to the sailing community,” said Shabes. “We saw something that we felt the community needed and we stepped up. I really believe something like this can maintain and grow the energy and participation we all want in the sport of sailing...besides I’m always looking for crew on Saturdays!”
