Afterguard Sailing Academy — Local services in Oakland

Extremely bad experience here. False advertising! It is clearly stated on their website that quote "Passing this course (ASA101) allows you to rent/charter the boats from our fleet for sailing in the Oakland Estuary."

BUT IT IS A LIE!!! I spent hundreds of $ taking their ASA101 course, under the impression that I will be eligible for boat rental following course completion. Then the academy arbitrarily decided to implement a policy change and requires ASA103 for rental, which asks for hundreds of more $$$.

What's even worse is the way they process rental appointment which is extremely unprofessional. I was denied rental LAST MINUTE, after me and my friends were already on the boat with engine started! And they kicked us out!!! Nobody mentioned the "policy change" when I registered for ASA101, or when I confirmed the rental appointment over the phone. We drove 1h there, signed the rental agreements, and were shown to the boat and preparing for departure, when all of a sudden I was told that I'm not a qualified skipper... Total disappointment and waste of time!!!

I also feel slightly discriminated against at this academy. Clearly this new policy (which they claim to have taken effect since July 2020) is not enforced on everyone, otherwise it's impossible for the personnel in charge of appointments to not be aware of this. I can only assume that this new policy is applied to a selected group of students who are deemed "less qualified" than others.

This academy completely ruined my interest in sailing. Will absolutely...

I've just finished bk 101 and I feel compelled to share. It is not my first lesson in the bay, two others over the years, (10 years) and they both left me feeling like I did not belong. I'm an RN and my husband has augmented my learning and made sure through patience that I've developed a love for the sea. We own a boat now and will and plan to retire in two years. The gaps in my background were obvious to Kevin who made sure even with our boat of four students that we were all challenged and enjoyed ourselves at the same time. The bay is frequently challenging and changes in minutes ive learned. Having maxed out what I could learn from my husband, and needing to acquire certificates and increase my comfort level in blue water, I met Mary the owner of afterguard at the boat show. Her calm confident nature was essential and is the lead in her schools philosophy. Don't take my word for it but please understand this is why women often fail in this sport and it is a sport with multiple roles and levels of skill and appreciation. I have now found the joy again and feel like part of the crew and not a task performer. This has lead me to know how much I don't know and I'm comfortable stating that now. Kevin is easygoing and truly likes to teach, and my previous instructors may have had a lapse in this area. If you have read this, please know they will work with you and I hope you will take away what I have taken to my...

I went in just for kicks knowing nothing about sailing. I came out as a competent crew member. I learned what to do on a sail boat, and more importantly, what knot to do! The knot tying lessons alone have practical application far beyond sailing—I'll be using these to lash things to my car, secure items around my property, etc. Starbucks is right next door, so I was able to load up on coffee and snacks each morning before class, which alleviated some of my prep/pack stress. Nobody got wet at all; somehow I was expecting to come out drenched. I am glad I took the advice to bring gloves for rope handling. I wish I had taken Monday off, as the fun came with ongoing effort and I'm more physically tired than I expected to be. Anthony was an engaging and fun instructor who ignited my excitement for sailing beyond the one time adventure I thought this would be. Even Sammy the mouser made me feel right at home. I'll be back, for sure. I'm a musician and an I.T. specialist, so I have no interest in becoming a captain or skipper, but having the skill to be on a sailing team feels like a useful achievement that has opened up opportunities I never even thought about...