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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) |
Quick Look Info With
Boats & Prices Basic Cruising / Bareboat Charter ~ Cruising Multihull ~ Advanced Coastal Cruising ~ Flotilla Monohull ~ Flotilla Multihull ~ Sail & Dive ~ No Experience Adventure Women's Weeks Include All of the Above |
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Frequently Asked Questions Caribbean FAQ General AIRFARE PROBLEMS? LOOK HERE Courses
Give The Gift Of Sailing! British Virgin Islands Cruising Catamaran British Virgin Islands Flotilla Sailing British Virgin Islands Sail and Dive Caribbean Advanced Coastal Cruising Adventure Youth Sailing Program- Keelboats Basic Keelboat Lake Minnetonka Basic Keelboat White Bear Lake Bareboat Charter Lake Superior
Cruising Catamaran Advanced Coastal Cruising Lake Superior Vacation Courses Lake Superior
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Quick Jump To Course Info Basic Cruising / Bareboat Charter ~ Cruising Multihull ~ Advanced Coastal Cruising ~ Flotilla Monohull ~ Flotilla Multihull ~ Sail & Dive ~ No Experience Adventure Women's Weeks Include All of the Above
Northern Breezes Sailing School "School of The Year" British Virgin Islands and Caribbean Learning Adventures |
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Northern Breezes Sailing School offers you an opportunity to do many different learning adventures as well as sail just for fun while participating at your chosen level. Earn your Basic Cruising and Bareboat Charter skipper certifications in one week in paradise. We offer everything from Basic Keelboat through Advanced Coastal Cruising including "Big Catamaran" Cruising Multihull. Our flotillas specialize in fun, although some of the offshore trips can be quite challenging. We also offer adventures which require no sailing experience, but welcome your participation. We even have a Sail & Dive option. You can sail as individuals, couples or as a family in which you have the whole boat! All of this in the world's most perfect winter cruising grounds - the British Virgin Islands. As you learn and practice navigation, docking, anchoring and skippering skills we will stop in such places as The Baths to explore a beach of house-size boulders like none you've seen anywhere else; snorkel or dive the fabulous Wreck of the Rhone featured in the movie, The Deep; visit snorkel spots such as The Caves of Norman Island, setting for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. We will sail amongst giant sea turtles and dolphins, and enjoy idyllic palm-fringed beaches from the island of Jost Van Dyke to the tiny, perfect white sand islands of Sandy Cay and Green Cay. You will return home with a tan, fantastic photos, lifelong memories, and bareboat charter skipper certification so that your next trip to the islands can be as skipper of your own chartered yacht.
"Women's Only"
Learning Adventures The number of women learning to sail is greater than ever. Women comprise the fastest growing segment of sailors who skipper and race their own boats. The lure of sparkling blue water on a bright sunny day, along with the peace and tranquility of interacting with the forces of wind and nature to glide through sparkling water, has proven irresistible to many women sailors. Besides learning to sail, more and more women are taking the additional step of learning to handle bigger boats. This empowers women to take a weekend away aboard their own self-contained floating utopia, interacting only with those they choose to bring along, the boat itself, and the forces of nature. "While my children were learning to sail I was too busy to do much sailing myself," commented a mother of adult children who was participating in a recent women-only sail training week in the Virgin Islands. Another participant at this event was recently widowed. She had always wanted to sail but her husband wasn’t interested. Within a year she had signed up and was on the water, experiencing her lifelong dream. Many women who sail frequently choose the camaraderie of a women-only course to advance their skills. "I don’t get a chance to practice with my husband," noted one longtime cruiser, "because he already knows how to do everything well, so it doesn’t make sense for me to attempt it." This is a frequently seen situation among couples who sail, with the woman in charge of the galley, keeping everyone fed, while the husband is at the helm. But more and more couples are realizing the importance of boat handling skills on the part of the woman, so that there are two able sailors onboard, particularly in the event of "Man Overboard" or other emergencies. "Women need permission to try new things," says Betsy Alison, five-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year. "Even I get pushed into the background. When I got onto a big Swan once, to crew a race, I asked what needed to be done. I got into my position and when a big tack came, a man stepped in and said, "I’ll take over for this." This happens to me all the time! I just have to keep saying, "No thanks, I’ve got it!" Because women may be less confident about trying new skills, and often have different learning styles than men, working with all women classmates makes a world of difference in the skills women sailors come away with. And working with a female instructor shows women that they can handle any situation expertly using only female muscle groups. All of our programs are available with women instructors. We are particularly
proud of our senior instructor, Captain Gail Bowdish. When she is not sailing,
she is an emergency room physician. Women's Only Courses and Adventures: Request Info
Feb 18-25, Feb 25-Mar 4, Other Dates Available Call! 2009:
Basic
Cruising (BC) and Bareboat Charter Certification (BB) courses
will be held in the British Virgin Islands aboard 40’-45’ cruising auxiliary
sloops. Feb 18- 25: (Two Openings)Feb 25-Mar 4: (Four Openings) Other Dates Can Be Scheduled Feb 25-Mar 4, 2009: Advanced Coastal Cruising Offshore: Tortola to Norman Island (Shakedown); Norman Island to Bonaire.*** Special Value Added: "Practical Celestial Navigation". No Celestial experience required! Have fun with the skies! More course info. I'm Interested. (Five Openings) Mar 4-11, 2009: Advanced Coastal Cruising Offshore: Bonaire to Ponce, Puerto Rico; Ponce to Spanish Virgin Islands; Spanish Virgin Islands to Tortola. *** Special Value Added: "Practical Celestial Navigation". No Celestial experience required! Have fun with the skies! More course info. I'm Interested. (Five Openings)
Mar 25-Apr 1, 2009:
Advanced Coastal Cruising
Offshore: Tortola to Norman Island (Shakedown); Norman Island to
Bonaire.
Apr 1-8, 2009:
Advanced Coastal Cruising
Offshore: Bonaire to Ponce, Puerto Rico; Ponce to Spanish Virgin
Islands; Spanish Virgin Islands to Tortola. Mar 11-18,
Mar 18-25, 2009:
Cruising Multihull Certification
Students sail aboard 43’ cruising catamarans. These are large vessels with two
inboard diesels; friendly but powerful systems. They offer unique opportunities
because of their size to spread the group and give people their space, sail flat
and fast! These are stable snorkeling, swimming and diving platforms. Almost
anyone can be "comfortable" on a cruising catamaran.
Mar
11-18:
(Six Openings)
Mar 4-11:
(Six Openings)
Mar 18-25:(Six
Openings)
American Sailing Association Certifications Feb 18-25, Feb 25-Mar 4, Mar 4-11, 2009. (Other dates can be scheduled). Basic Cruising (BC) and Bareboat Charter Certification (BB) courses will be held in the British Virgin Islands aboard 40’-45’ cruising auxiliary sloops. Basic Cruising students may complete 8 hours of shore school and written exam before the cruise (This is not mandatory, but reduces the test taking while on the boat). Basic and Bareboat Charter Cruising skills will be taught onboard. Graduates will receive ASA Basic Cruising and/or ASA Bareboat Charter certification. The course length is one week and both the BC and BB certifications can be completed during this time frame. Feb 18-25: Monohull, Milina:(Two Openings) Milina Feb 25-Mar 4: Monohull, Milina:(Four Openings) Milina Mar 4-11: Monohull:(Four Openings) Other Scheduled Dates: Jan 10 - Jan 15: Monohull, Beneteau 413: (Full)
Shore School in Minneapolis, MN (not mandatory): Boat Systems General, Battery, Basic Electrical, Basic Engine, Prop Walk, Sail Trim, Rules of the Road, Sound Signals, Buoys & Lights, VHF, Safety Systems, Heavy Weather Sailing, Written Exam.
Onboard:
Safety Orientation, Boat Systems, Reefing, Heaving to, Anchoring,
Cruising Tips, Navigation, Galley Safety, Meal
Planning/Preparation, Docking & Undocking, Setting Sails, Crew
Overboard Drills, Chart Problems, Emergency Procedures, Dinghy
Operation. Not provided: Five dinners and one lunch ashore, extra beverages. Please bring beach towel, deck shoes, casual clothing for 80 degree average temperatures including rain gear and a light jacket for cool evenings. Fees for ASA Basic Cruising & ASA Bareboat Chartering: $1,845 (includes 8-hour optional January shore school). ASA Bareboat Chartering Only: $1,795; Non-student: $1,795. Couple's discount $3,295. ***Couple Definition: Two humans who wish to share a cabin.*** Each boat has One Captain and One Cook unless families and friends want a different arrangement. We are flexible! Cancellation Policy: Full refund up to 60 days before class. 50% refund up to 30 days before class. No refund for cancellation 29 days prior to class, although we will try to work with you. Cruising Multihull Certification Mar 11-18, Mar 18-25, 2009: Students sail aboard 40.5’ Cruising Catamarans. These are large vessels with two inboard diesels, friendly but powerful systems. They offer unique opportunities because of their size to spread the group and give people their space, sail flat and fast! These are stable snorkeling, swimming and diving platforms. Almost anyone can be "comfortable" on a cruising catamaran. Mar 11-18: Multihull, Matou: (Six Openings) Catamaran Matou Mar 18-25: Multihull, Matou: (Six Openings) Catamaran Matou
Other Dates Are Likely To Be Scheduled Onboard: Safety Orientation, Boat Systems, Reefing, Heaving to, Anchoring, Cruising Tips, Navigation, Galley Safety, Meal Planning/Preparation, Docking & Undocking, Setting Sails, Crew Overboard Drills, Chart Problems, Emergency Procedures, Dinghy Operation. Cruising Multihull students learn all aspects of skippering a cruising catamaran. Emphasis is placed on boat handling, safety, reefing and the differences between cruising catamarans and their systems from large monohulls.
Boarding.
Board yacht on Wednesday afternoon at TMM Charters, Rodetown,
Tortola. Set sail the next day after orientation. Learn cruising
skills while living aboard. Arrive back in port the following
Wednesday morning. Leave at noon. Not provided: Five dinners and one lunch ashore, extra beverages. Please bring beach towel, deck shoes, casual clothing for 80 degree average temperatures including rain gear and a light jacket for cool evenings. Fees for ASA Cruising Multihull: $1,845. Non-student: $1,795. Couple's discount $3,295. ***Couple Definition: Two humans who wish to share a cabin.***
Passenger Load Ratio is One Captain and One Cook to six
participants on Catamarans! Any exceptions will be discussed in
advance. Cancellation Policy: Full refund up to 60 days before class. 50% refund up to 30 days before class. No refund for cancellation 29 days prior to class, although we will try to work with you.
Feb 25-Mar 4, 2009: Advanced Coastal Cruising Offshore: Tortola to Norman Island (Shakedown); Norman Island to Bonaire.*** Special Value Added: "Practical Celestial Navigation". No Celestial experience required! Have fun with the skies! I'm Interested. (Five Openings) Mar 4-11, 2009: Advanced Coastal Cruising Offshore: Bonaire to Ponce, Puerto Rico; Ponce to Spanish Virgin Islands; Spanish Virgin Islands to Tortola. *** Special Value Added: "Practical Celestial Navigation". No Celestial experience required! Have fun with the skies! I'm Interested. (Five Openings)
Mar 25-Apr 1, 2009:
Advanced Coastal Cruising
Offshore: Tortola to Norman Island (Shakedown); Norman Island to
Bonaire.
Apr 1-8, 2009:
Advanced Coastal Cruising
Offshore: Bonaire to Ponce, Puerto Rico; Ponce to Spanish Virgin
Islands; Spanish Virgin Islands to Tortola. Feb 25-Mar 4, Mar 4-11, Mar 25-Apr 1, Apr 1-8, 2009: Advanced Coastal Cruising participants sail aboard either a 50' monohull or a 40.5' Cruising Catamaran in a challenging but fun environment at a higher level. Includes overnight and working passages from Tortola to Norman Island (Shakedown); Norman Island to Bonaire; OR Bonaire to Ponce, Puerto Rico; Ponce to Spanish Virgin Islands; Spanish Virgin Islands to Tortola. Textbook supplied, "Annapolis Book of Seamanship." Also supplied is the Cruising Multihull textbook for Catamaran student participants. Course Outline: Advanced Coastal Cruising (Offshore):
Onboard:
Advanced Coastal Cruising participants arrive in Tortola, British
Virgins Islands on Wednesday which is a travel day. Sleep aboard
your yacht on Wednesday night! Navigational assignments will
have been assigned in advance. Precise itinerary is somewhat
weather dependent.
Not provided: Five dinners and one lunch ashore, extra
beverages. Please bring beach towel, deck shoes, casual clothing
for 80 degree average temperatures including rain gear and a
light jacket for cool evenings.
This may be slightly modified due to scheduled transits.
Each boat has One Captain and One Cook unless families and
friends want a different arrangement. We are flexible! Cancellation Policy: Full refund up to 60 days before class. 50% refund up to 30 days before class. No refund for cancellation 29 days prior to class, although we will try to work with you.
Mar 4-11, Mar 11-18, 2009. Flotilla Sailing on one of our boats is just for fun with an open itinerary. We skipper the boat and provide the cook. You enjoy yourself while having a sailing vacation, snorkeling, playing, etc. We poll the group to better meet your needs and expectations. While we are not necessarily teaching, we will coach you on almost any aspect and let you do almost anything in a participatory environment. Tell us in advance what toys you may want aboard. This trip is for fun! Mar 4-11: Monohull, Beneteau 413: (Six Openings) Mar 11-18: Multihull, Cool Cat: (Six Openings) Other Dates Can Be Scheduled
Onboard: Safety Orientation, Boat Systems, Galley Safety,
Crew Overboard Drills, Chart Problems (Optional), Emergency
Procedures, Dinghy Operation (Optional).
Not provided: Five dinners and one lunch ashore, extra
beverages. Please bring beach towel, deck shoes, casual clothing
for 80 degree average temperatures including rain gear and a
light jacket for cool evenings.
Each boat has One Captain and One Cook unless families and
friends want a different arrangement. We are flexible! Cancellation Policy: Full refund up to 60 days before class. 50% refund up to 30 days before class. No refund for cancellation 29 days prior to class, although we will try to work with you.
Request Info Mar 11-18: Multihull, Cool Cat: (Six Openings)
Note: Cool Cat may not be the boat and Other Multihull Dates Are
Likely To Be Scheduled
Not provided: Five dinners and one lunch ashore, extra
beverages. Please bring beach towel, deck shoes, casual clothing
for 80 degree average temperatures including rain gear and a
light jacket for cool evenings.
Each boat has One Captain and One Cook unless families and
friends want a different arrangement. We are flexible! Cancellation Policy: Full refund up to 60 days before class. 50% refund up to 30 days before class. No refund for cancellation 29 days prior to class, although we will try to work with you. Instructors are ASA-certified USCG-licensed captains. No prerequisites for non-student participants or auditors.
Fees Summary ASA Bareboat Chartering Only: $1,795 Couple's Discount: $3,295 (Two humans who wish to share a cabin.) Non-student Auditor: $1,795 ASA Cruising Multihull: $1,895
ASA Cruising Multihull Couple's
Discount: $3,395 (Two humans who wish to share a cabin.) Flotilla Monohull: $1,750 Flotilla Monohull Couple's Discount: $3,195 (Two humans who wish to share a cabin.) Flotilla Multihull: $1,850 Flotilla Multihull Couple's Discount: $3,295 (Two humans who wish to share a cabin.) Sail & Dive: $1,850 (Divers: $125 per person for tank & air) Sail & Dive Couple's Discount: $3,395 (Two humans who wish to share a cabin. Divers: $125 per person for tank & air)
ASA Advanced Coastal Cruising: $1,895 ASA Advanced Coastal Cruising: Couples discount $3,395. (Two humans who wish to share a cabin.) Cancellation Policy: Full refund up to 60 days before class. 50% refund up to 30 days before class. No refund for cancellation 29 days prior to class, although we will try to work with you.
ASA Prerequisites:
All Flotilla Sailing, Auditing and Sail & Dive: No prerequisites!
Northern Breezes
Sailing School |
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