Captain Ivan fell in love with sailing as a youth at a summer camp in Wisconsin. The quiet magic of harnessing the breeze to sail across the lake was superior to paddling or the racket of a motor. The love of sailing has drawn him to the water from Maine to the Caribbean and the freshwater paradise of the Great Lakes. Ivan is the quintessential racer-cruiser, from winning the Mac to cruising the Caribbean, he is at home on the water. He holds a USCG 50 ton master’s license.
Ivan Sagel is this month’s featured Instructor.
ASA: Your most memorable student or class?
Captain Ivan Sagel:
My most memorable students were a husband and wife who took the 101 and 103 classes with me in early 2018. They were powerboaters and they had never sailed before, but wanted to learn how to sail. They were bitten by the sailing bug immediately. They were fun to have in the class…they brought snacks for everyone and they were really excited to learn! After a season in a sailboat lease share in 2018, they purchased their own 42’ sailboat in 2019, Turtle Chaser, and spent the season sailing in the Great Lakes. Now they are bringing their sailboat down to Florida to start their exploration of the Bahamas and beyond. The ASA classes really accelerated their journey into the sailing lifestyle!
ASA: Your favorite place to sail?
Captain Ivan Sagel:
My favorite place to sail (so far!) is the Exumas island chain in the Bahamas. The water is a surreal turquoise blue, and the spectacular sugar sand beaches are almost untouched. There are good navigational challenges with tides and shallow waters, which help grow your sailing competencies. In addition, the anchoring grounds are very good in the Exumas, so you can have as much privacy, or not, as you wish. And of course, the people of the Bahamas are happy and friendly, and a joy to visit.
ASA: Why do you sail?
Captain Ivan Sagel:
Sailing is a way to disconnect and unplug. Once you hoist the sails and leave the harbor, you are in your own world. Whether you are traveling to distant shores or having a day sail, it allows you the freedom to remove yourself from the busyness of life on shore.
ASA: What do people not know about sailing that they should?
Captain Ivan Sagel:
I think the biggest misconception is that sailing is very difficult to learn. The basics of sailing are simple and obtainable. While learning the fundamentals when starting is critical, confidence in sailing comes with experience. Getting started is easy, but mastery comes with time.
ASA: Why Should People Sail?
Captain Ivan Sagel:
Sailing opens up a lifetime of exploration in many ways. It’s a learning experience about physics, fluid dynamics, weather, tides, stars and more. Sailing gives you an opportunity to explore near or far, as you choose, being powered by mother nature. And finally, the sailing community is warm and embracing, and this might be the best reason!
Northwest Sailing Center - KirklandKirkland, United States Northwest Sailing Centers offer ASA classes in Kirkland, WA. After completing certifications, you can join the Club which includes the use of our boats on both Puget Sound and Lake Washington. NWS gives its members access to the largest fleet of keelboats on a variety of waters in the Pacific…
Passage Planning Basics Demystify passage planning - uncover everything from pre-departure vessel checks to crew preparation. Gain insights into navigating the seas safely and efficiently while learning how to master your passage planning skills.
