The Suit Magazine

 For this top-notch skipper: sailing is her business.  Her students become certified, qualified sailors, comfortable sailing the high seas.
Swift said sailing instructors at the American Sailing Association are well schooled. “If you choose to venture beyond the sailing basics,” she said, “we'll expand your horizons by teaching you to navigate with electronics and with the stars. Become certified at advanced or offshore levels and the world’s oceans will become your highways and by-ways. You can learn it all or select the things that interest you the most,” she added, “Selecting an ASA school assures you of professional training and the best value for your sail education dollar.”
   
The American Sailing Association graduates and certifies thousands of new sailors annually - sailors who learn faster and learn to sail in more detail.  “They choose ASA sailing schools because they want to follow a proven curriculum in a professional, supportive learning environment,” she said, “under the direction of certified sailing instructors. The American Sailing Association can assure you of the same quality sailing education when you attend any of our certification facilities.”

           Swift said her friend Chuck Winkler taught her the ropes, the ins-and-outs of sailing, being schooled in San Francisco Bay in 1983. “It was trial by fire,” she said recalling when she learned the art of sailing.

           Today, Swift has been recognized for superior sailing skills. She’s licensed by the International Certification Curriculum of Developers based in Los Angeles, California. She has created classes that are of the highest quality, shaping a curriculum which teaches high school students the basics of sailing. “These tougher times have made us get inventive to keep our goals alive,” she continues, “particularly in developing a strong youth education and community access program,” Swift added, “At the heart of a professional American Sailing Association training and destination charter facility is our work with high schools students.”

Economically, she noted that ASA must launch a fundraising campaign to remain above water.  But her motivation is strong.  “These kids expressed that they don’t want to quit,” she said, “Sailing builds strong character and opens new doors for inner city kids. We are investigating ways to continue their courses [and keep them] vibrant at the academy.”  And the joys of sailing are something Swift communicates to her students, who, after working with her, have more fun as they sail to new places.

         When Swift was wet-behind the ears, she found her passion for the sailing life. “Boating brought a special kind of order when I was young,” she said. “Power boating that is, it was sailing that saved my sanity when going through the life altering changes of divorce,” she added.         
Afterward, Swift quickly rebounded from that bad marriage by founding the ASA School in 1987; now she’s a successful entrepreneur, one who she seems undaunted by the economic downturn. “We can do anything we set our minds to and will not go down without a fight,” she said. “Neither the media nor politicians can scare me into believing the economy is so bad. However, it is time to put the shoulder to the wheel and work harder.”

    To read more about Captain Mary Swift go to www.afterguard.net or call her office at 510-535-1934. The sailing school is a warm, welcoming place to learn how to sail or just get out on the water for a smooth sailing break.

< Prev		Next >