Sailing, the Canary Islands and why we prefer RYA over ASA
One of the oldest recovered boats in the world is the Pesse Canoe pirogue found in the Netherlands; it is estimated to be around 10,000 years old. Strong evidence that man has been submerging in water for an incredibly long time; however, many believe that the first seaworthy ship was probably built much earlier by our evolutionary predecessors.
So in light of that, I think it’s fair to say that sailing is one of man’s oldest hobbies. While boating was evidently originally intended as a means of travel and perhaps more effective fishing, I have no doubt that our ancestors had fun anyway. After all, there are few better feelings in this world than being in the water; the fresh air on your face, the soothing sound of the rolling tide, and the sparkling allure of sunlight reflecting off the water’s surface.
Over the years, boating has changed a lot as our technology has developed and our ability to build sailing boats has improved. For example, a 50-foot Bavaria Cruiser is much more complicated to build than the once revolutionary Pesse Canoe, although that doesn’t take away from the fact that for its time the Pesse Canoe is truly impressive.
However, there is much more to learn when sailing a 50 foot yacht rather than handling a one man canoe, so learning to sail is paramount in order to safely and successfully navigate the open ocean. Sailing has become more than just a necessary means of travel: sailing for many has become a passion, a hobby and a way of life.
Why the Canary Islands is the perfect destination to learn to sail
If you are also intrigued by the prospect of being on the water and would like to try your hand at sailing, then you will find that you are certainly not short of places to learn. In almost every coastal city, from Perth to Eureka, you will find that there is a sailing school of some description; although, what better place to learn than in one of the stunning tropical Canary Islands?
The different sailing schools that you can find on the island offer a series of different courses at various levels based in many places in the Canary Islands; La Gomera, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Grand Canarias Etc. La Gomera is one of the smallest islands, but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for with its irrefutable charm and beauty. At the heart of the island is a dense and lush emerald green forest that is dwarfed in comparison to the magnificent volcano that rises to a height of nearly 5,000 feet. This wonderful island offers incredible views from a distance: you can admire the rich date palms that line the coast as you glide gently across the blue sea on one of the many sailboats that you can rent.
And then we have the bustling island of Tenerife; a beautiful place that has a certain charm different from that of picturesque La Gomera. Being one of the most popular British tourist destinations in the world, Tenerife is undoubtedly an incredible place to experience. The landscape is rich with lush green vegetation and simply amazing volcanic views! Then at the harbor, you’ll discover some of the most desirable fresh seafood restaurants in the world, where you can sit back and relax as the sun turns the ocean a deep pink before finishing a deep red as the horizon slowly swallows you up.
What is the difference between RYA and ASA sailing courses?
RYA (The Royal Yachting Association) and ASA (The American Sailing Association) are the two most prestigious sailing training organizations in the world. But what are the main differences between the two and who should you hang out with?
Well, ultimately, the decision is entirely up to you: you must distinguish which institution will benefit you the most and offer you the best possible training.
Both RYA and ASA Sailing Schools offer theory courses, only RYA theory courses are completely separate from practical work; while the ASA requires you to do theory and practice on the boat.
The ASA requires an 80% and 100% written pass rate for internships, compared to RYA’s intimate and personalized approach whereby the instructor assesses the individual’s ability – there is graphics work, written work, and practical assessments involved which obviously must be completed to a certain level of satisfaction, although there is no numerical score involved.
If you are going to be sailing in US waters, then the ASA will certainly be the most relevant organization to learn from as they use American nautical terminology and US Coast Guard rules and regulations; Otherwise, a RYA certification would be recommended.