Learning to sail just got easier. A new "Online Learn to Sail" course from America's #1 sailing school, Offshore Sailing School, and the leading national boating safety organization funded by a half million boaters, the BoatUS Foundation, is perfect for anyone thinking about getting into sailing or renewing old skills. The narrated curriculum with easy to comprehend video, animations, and Offshore Sailing School instructors teaching aboard the Colgate 26 is designed to enhance and streamline the learning process and give sailors a leg up before they hit the water. It dovetails well, and is great for learning prior to taking any Offshore Sailing School course. The cost is $75 but the course will be available for a limited time at the introductory price of $55. It can be found at BoatUS.org/offshore-sailing.

"It's sometimes confusing at first to cram dozens of new terms and definitions into your brain while just getting used to the tiller and how wind moves a sailboat," said Offshore Sailing School Chairman and Founder Steve Colgate. "Even if you don't have immediate plans to take a multi-day sailing course, our new Online Learn to Sail course is convenient and easy for anyone to take from home, and will help new and returning sailors become more confident on the water." The curriculum distills best practices learned over nearly 50 years of Offshore Sailing School instruction. "It also helps instructors easily see who has mastered the basics and who needs a little more help," said Colgate. "That makes the classroom and on-water learning environment easier for everyone."

"Taking the online course ahead of time can ultimately enhance the practical on-the-water experience," said BoatUS Foundation President Chris Edmonston. "We also know as educators that everyone learns differently. Some folks really latch onto online instruction because it gives them the freedom to take it at their own pace," added Edmonston.

Offshore Sailing School's three and five-day Learn to Sail Certification Courses are held at the school's three Florida locations: Captiva Island, Ft. Myers Beach and St. Petersburg; two New York City locations: Chelsea Piers and Pier 25 in Tribeca; as well as in Jersey City, NJ; St. Michaels, MD; and the British Virgin Islands. The school has educated more than 130,000 students since 1964 and is ranked #1 by Practical Sailor in both instructors and curriculum. For more, go to www.offshoresailing.com.

The BoatUS Foundation offered the first free online boating safety course in 1997 and has since educated over one million boaters online. Funded primarily by members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), it offers the only free online, NASBLA-approved boating safety course recognized by 33 states. The Online Learn to Sail course is the first of many more advanced online learning courses the Foundation plans to offer. For more, go to www.BoatUS.com/foundation.

Photo Caption: Start your learning at home before you head to the water with the new Online Learn to Sail course.