Confused by amerian standards

[duckduckgoose]

Ok so if I were to go to the US next summer on a J1 to teach sailing, what exactly will I need?

I have VHF, First Aid, ISA Dinghy levels 1-3, ISA Yachtmaster Coastal (Shorebased) Certificate and a lot of racing experience.

Would I need to do an american instructors course or what? How does the american dinghy level system work?

[sailingdog]

I'm pretty sure they'd accept an RYA Yachtmaster ticket, if you've got one. I've never heard of an ISA Yachtmaster.

[I33]

If you are coming to the USA legally, I think you need a B-(something) visa allowing you to work. Of course if you are coming in illegally, you don't need anything

[nolatom]

If you're teaching on the dinghy level (meaning no auxiliary power) then no Coast Guard master's licence is required.

In which case, nothing's legally required, depending on the program you can teach sailing with no paper at all if they like your experience. If they're teaching to USSA or ASA certificate standards, they may want you to have an instructor's qualification from one of those private associations. But maybe not.

So at the dinghy level, you may be okay. Experience and teaching ability are the main thing.

Work visas etc I know nothing about. Just sailing credentials.

[duckduckgoose]

Oh just to clear up, the J1 is a visa for young people to spend a very short period (usually summer holidays) working in the US.

The ISA yachtmaster thing I have is basically the Irish version of the RYA Yachtmaster coastal shore based certificate. (All the theory behind it such as navigation, passage making, weather forecasting, anchoring, sea survival etc etc)

So basically if I were to come over with a good racing background and a lot of background knowledge I shouldn't have too much trouble getting a job? I have actual certificates in dinghy and small keelboat competency.

[Wannafish]

Originally Posted by duckduckgoose

So basically if I were to come over with a good racing background and a lot of background knowledge I shouldn't have too much trouble getting a job? I have actual certificates in dinghy and small keelboat competency.

...Provided there are any jobs left by then.

[RAGTIMEDON]

Currently the job market in the us sucks - 6-7% unemployment. Not sure exactly what the demand is for sailing instructors, but I certainly would not travel across the ocean on the chance I could find a job in a job market like that. I think you would be smart to contact all the sailing schools you can locate to inquire about opportunities before travelling!

[camaraderie]

You might try summer camps here as they often have summer only sailin programs that require temporary help. Most require nothing more than a good sailing or teaching resume bu pay is low...though room and board is provided.

[tommays]

The WaterFront Center of Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York: Sailing Lessons and Boating on the Long Island Sound - Instructors Wanted


There allways looking

[duckduckgoose]

That's great! Thanks for all the info!