Take the Helm and Learn to Sail
For many ocean lovers there are few pleasures that rival sailing across the cerulean blue Caribbean Sea. There is just something life affirming about being out on the water with the salt air blowing through your hair, the warm sun on your face, and the marine life swimming alongside you. For me, one thing that makes the whole experience even better is taking the helm yourself and sailing the boat.
Whether you are here on vacation or living on St. Croix, take advantage of the calm, warm waters of the Caribbean Sea and learn to sail. We are very fortunate to have an award-winning sailing operation on the island that offers sailing instruction. You can choose to take three hour lessons that will introduce you to the basics of sailing, or you can go so far as to earn sailing certifications – it all depends on how much you want to learn and how much time you have to spend on your sailing adventure. In either case, Lightheart Sailing & Charters is committed to equipping you with the skills and experience you need to sail safely, joyfully, and confidently. Learn on your own boat (if you are lucky enough to own one), or hop aboard Captain Peter Branning and wife Martha Boston’s Lightheart, a 2007 Hanse 400e high-aspect ratio sloop equipped with a self-tacking jib, a genoa, and an asymmetrical spinnaker.
For the novice that wants an introduction to sailing, Lightheart Sailing & Charters offers private three hour lessons for 1-2 people. These lessons allow you to move at your own pace, building the skills you need toward confidence, independence and pleasure under sail. Captains Branning and Boston can tailor lessons to match your goals, needs and timing, making them ideal for: new boat owners or soon-to-be owners, new sailors practicing their ASA skills, out-of-practice sailors, experienced sailors wanting to upgrade their skills, or spouses developing skills as a co-captains or mate and captain
If you want to dive into learning to sail and earn an American Sailing Association (ASA) certification, Lightheart Sailing is the best! In fact, the lead instructor is Captain Peter Branning who was named one of the ASA’s ‘Outstanding Instructors’ for 2014, and has over 40 years racing, cruising and coaching sailing teams. You can choose from three different ASA sailing courses including: Basic Keelboat, Coastal Cruising, and Bareboat Charter. Or, if you would like to have a stunning sailing vacation while learning to sail, Lightheart Sailing & Charters offers a combination package in which you sail throughout the northern U.S. and British Virgin Islands, stopping for snorkeling and trips ashore as well as packing in all three ASA courses!
You will not regret taking the helm and learning to sail. The experience of learning to sail seems to deepen your connection to the sea, and offers the opportunity for you to harness the power of the wind in your sails to fly across the water. Have fun, learn a new skill, and get a taste of the sailing life. Bon voyage!
– Jennie Ogden, Editor
