The goal for the US SAILING Advanced Coaching Program is to offer a path that allows someone to become a superstar coach. These coaches understand the sport of sailing, know how to teach it, and are able to find a balance between winning and helping athletes develop the character they need to meet life's challenges.

LEVEL 1 INSTRUCTOR -- The core of the coaching program is defined by the US SAILING Small Boat Sailing Level 1 Instructor Course where the basics of teaching, risk management and safety are taught. These are essential before a successful coaching program can be launched. This is basis for the "standard of excellence" for the sport of sailing.  

LEVEL 2 COACH -- The Small Boat Sailing Level 2 Coach Workshop is designed for coaches who will be teaching beginning racing and performance boat handling.  The 2‑day course, which builds on the Small Boat Sailing Level-1 Instructional material, is focused on developing boat handling and racing skills through an array of specific drills designed to demonstrate the various elements of racing both on and off the water.  The workshop will provide the coach with useful tools for teaching such elements as sail trim, rounding marks, starting, tactics on the downwind and upwind legs and how to approach marks properly.  A Small Boat Sailing Level 2 Coach Workshop will give the coach a basis for demonstrating the effects of hydrodynamics of the hull, rudder and keel, the aerodynamics of the sails, and how to utilize these effects in developing boat speed.  The coach will learn how to break down racing into individual elements that can be worked on without getting into a win/lose environment with the students.
In addition to this workshop, supplemental resources are available for purchase, many through US SAILING.
Course information

LEVEL 3 COACH -- Level 3 applicants must complete Levels 1 and 2 before applying for Level 3. Building on the strengths of the first two levels, Level 3 is a minimum two-year commitment. A Level 3 candidate must complete an application, pay $50 per year to US SAILING, and keep a log of his/her progress through the various certification requirements available from the training office at US SAILING. The fee covers ten issues of Speed and Smarts and 3 - 4 issues of Olympic Coach, the USOC Coaching magazine. During Level 3, each candidate will be kept in the information loop through the Annual Advanced Coaching Symposium and the US SAILING web site. To pass Level 3, each candidate must complete the following requirements:

1. 300 hours of on-the-water coaching,

2. two days of practical experience at either a clinic,

3. regatta, high school practice, or college practice - apprenticing with a senior level coach,

4. race management experience with specially designated people,

5. judging/protest committee experience with specially designated people,

6. competitor experience at a regional or national regatta,

7. US SAILING membership and Level 3 Coach annual fee ($50),

8. current American Red Cross Sport Safety Training including Adult CPR or ARC Standard First Aid/CPR, Green Cross First Aid/CPR or AHA CPR,

9. attend at least two modules in any of the following areas:

• college coaching,

• high school coaching,

• competitive youth coaching,

• international coaching,

• team racing coaching,

• coaching of disabled sailors ( in the future)

• offshore coaching (in the future),

10. Knowledge of two sport science topics involving either approved home study of Sport Physiology, and Sport Psychology; or attendance at an Advanced Coaching Symposium where the topic is covered; or successful completion of a college level course. Future location to be announced.

11. Commit to continuing education including any of the following:

• attend the annual Advanced Coaching Symposium,

• attend coaching symposiums and/or workshops at one of the USOC 
  Training Centers,

• speak and/or present at the annual Advanced Coaching Symposium,

• write articles for the Advanced Coaching website,

• offer specialized clinics and instruction