As of today Cindy and I have both completed the ASA105 Coastal Navigation course. This is exciting because now we are ready for ASA106 Advanced Coastal Cruising on Lake Superior later this summer.

ASA105 Coastal Navigation teaches you to be “able to demonstrate the navigational theory required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal or inland waters”, and is a prerequisite for taking ASA106 Advanced Coastal Cruising.

Our tentative itinerary for ASA106 Advanced Coastal Cruising with Northern Breezes Sailing School:  “Starting in Bayfield, Wisconsin we transit the Houghton-Hancock ship canal (usually with a stop); typically we then proceed to either Marquette, Michigan or Munising, Michigan before passing by “Pictured Rocks” and stopping in Grand Marais, Michigan. We then often stop at Whitefish Harbor (home of the Edmund Fitzgerald Museum) before proceeding across Whitefish Bay, up the St. Mary’s River and through the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.”

We took Nigel and Shelbie (Cindy’s niece’s children) and Norma (Cindy’s mom) sailing on the St. Croix River. We are members of Northern Breezes Sailing Club and use a 23′ Hunter for sailing on the St. Croix River out of Windmill Marina, Afton, Minnesota. It was Nigel and Shelbie’s first time sailing and they had a great time. Norma enjoyed steering the boat and when the wind diminished she didn’t want to go back to the marina. She was enjoying the peacefulness of the river. It was good we stayed out on the river because the wind returned and we able to sail a little longer.

Sailing with Norma on the St. Croix River

Sailing with Shelbie on the St. Croix River

Sailing with Nigel and Shelbie on the St. Croix River

Today Cindy and I completed American Sailing Association ASA114 Cruising Catamaran! We completed the course through Northern Breezes Sailing School. The location was at Pike’s Bay Marina in the beautiful Apostle Islands on Lake Superior. The weekend course was taught by Captain Steve Burns on Calico a Fountaine-Pajot – Athena 38 catamaran. Captain Steve did a great job instructing us.

Steve Burns and Cindy

Cindy docking the catamaran

We were in Chicago for a conference that Cindy was attending. We decide to take the opportunity to go sailing on Lake Michigan. We rented a J/22 sailboat from Chicago Sailing. It was exciting because it was our first time out sailing without an instructor. We had 10-15 knot winds and enjoyed our first sailing adventure.

Today Cindy and I completed American Sailing Association ASA103 Basic Coastal Cruising and ASA104 Bareboat Cruising courses! We completed the course through Northern Breezes Sailing School. The location was at Pike’s Bay Marina near Bayfield, Wisconsin and the sailing was in the beautiful Apostle Islands on Lake Superior. The four-day liveaboard course was taught by Captain Vicki Staudte on Jolly Swagman a 34′ Hunter. One night we anchored at Oak Island and another night in Raspberry Bay. Captain Vicki did a great job teaching the course. She is a very knowledgeable instructor and it was fun sailing with her.

Capt Vicki, Cindy and Michael

Captain Vicki

Cindy and I completed American Sailing Association ASA101 Basic Keelboat course today. We completed the course through Northern Breezes Sailing School. The location was on the St. Croix River at Windmill Marina in Afton, Minnesota.

The course was taught in three 4-hour Sat/Sun morning sessions by Captain Tom Igielski. Tom did a great job as our instructor. He is very knowledgeable and thorough with his instruction. We learned a lot and had a great time!