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The difference is largely political. ASA was formed to professionalize and standardize sailing instruction. Over the years, most, but not all, of the quality existing and new sailing schools became members. The ASA performed a very valuable service in setting and maintaining standards. Subsequently, and for mostly political and financial reasons, several schools, based mainly in the SF Bay Area, broke away, and allied with US Sailing, the National Body of sailing in the US. They were only too happy to take on an "umbrella" role for a proven concept. US Sailing largely copied the ASA syllabus, etc. Initially, they were quite poorly prepared, but, over the years, have presented a product more or less equal to the ASA. As you can imagine, the rivalry has continued! It is worth noting that neither system's credential is automatically accepted by charter companies, as is implied. But, the credential does go a long way to satisfying those companies desire for evidence of their charterer's abilities. It is also significant that, for a long time (and maybe now, though I am not sure) J-schools and Steve Colgate's schools, among others, remained out of either system and ran successful programs. It is also true that while a lot can be TAUGHT in either the typical six to eight day program of the ASA or USS schools, it takes much longer to LEARN it. So, credential or not, time on the water is crucial. It is also true that many other sailing-intensive countries (in Europe, for example) are much more rigorous in their insistence on standards for their sailors and skippers. Having said all of this, I look back on my time as an ASA instructor with pride in the knowledge that we gave a lot of new (and not so new) sailors a very good start to their sailing careers. There is an excellent ASA facility in your area. I believe it's name is "California Sailing Academy" or something like that, and I think it is, or used to be, in Marina Del Rey. If you need further help, if I remember correctly, the ASA itself is based in MDR. I am sure they could refer you to a good program. Good Luck.
