All of our instructors are USCG licensed and ASA Instructor certified
Home of FOUR ASA Outstanding Instructors!
(Mike R., Arthur V., John M., and Steve K.)
Home of FOUR ASA Outstanding Instructors!
(Mike R., Arthur V., John M., and Steve K.)
ASA 101 Instructors
Steve F. |
Mike J. |
Bob H. |
Ross C. |
Patrick S. |
Jim L. |
Bob G. |
Karl K. |
Steve L. |
Mike C. |
ASA 103 instructors
Jim L. |
Mike J. |
Bob G. |
Steve F. |
Arthur V. |
Rod M. |
Patrick S. |
ASA 104 instructors
Mike J. |
Arthur V. |
Bob G. |
Steve F. |
Jim L. |
Rod M. |
Advanced asa Classes and Clinic instructors
Steve F. asa 118, asa 105 |
Rod M. ASA 114, ASA 118 |
Jim L. ASA 105 |
Arthur V. asa 105, asa 106 |
Mike J. asa 105, asa 118 |
Bob G. ASA 105 |
WHAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY:
"Our Instructor, Arthur was the BEST possible instructor! Very clear, understandable, patient and he made the class fun and enjoyable" - 101 Student
'We found that Mike J communicates the material very well and does so in a tone and manner that is both calming and encouraging at the same time. I believe Mike possesses that rather rare ability to both teach and gently encourage and motivate his students at the same time. ' - 103 Student
"Rod was amazing. Great instructor, great hospitality and a wealth of experience. Made me more confident with sailing. Highly recommend" - 104 Student
'Steve K was an excellent teacher - great combination of patience and sense of when to step-in and instruct. Very knowledgeable which instilled confidence and a sense of safety and fun throughout the course!' - 101 Student
'The team there has been amazing and always helpful. All the instructors have been great to learn from and work with.
I recently took the ASA 103 class with Mike Rice, and at one point we had taken a break and the students were talking about our experiences. The common theme with all of our experiences was that in working with Mike Rice we all felt as though we were learning from a living legend. Enough can’t be said about how at ease Mike makes you feel as you learn the beautiful world of sailing. ' -101/103 student and proud new owner of 'Duck-Catalina 27'
"Our Instructor, Arthur was the BEST possible instructor! Very clear, understandable, patient and he made the class fun and enjoyable" - 101 Student
'We found that Mike J communicates the material very well and does so in a tone and manner that is both calming and encouraging at the same time. I believe Mike possesses that rather rare ability to both teach and gently encourage and motivate his students at the same time. ' - 103 Student
"Rod was amazing. Great instructor, great hospitality and a wealth of experience. Made me more confident with sailing. Highly recommend" - 104 Student
'Steve K was an excellent teacher - great combination of patience and sense of when to step-in and instruct. Very knowledgeable which instilled confidence and a sense of safety and fun throughout the course!' - 101 Student
'The team there has been amazing and always helpful. All the instructors have been great to learn from and work with.
I recently took the ASA 103 class with Mike Rice, and at one point we had taken a break and the students were talking about our experiences. The common theme with all of our experiences was that in working with Mike Rice we all felt as though we were learning from a living legend. Enough can’t be said about how at ease Mike makes you feel as you learn the beautiful world of sailing. ' -101/103 student and proud new owner of 'Duck-Catalina 27'
READ MORE ABOUT PSSI CREW:
Mike J. Instructor Grew up in Hawaii Open Water Scuba Certified at age 14 Crewed on a boat from 15-18 years old Co-owner with Mike Rice of 'Passion', Beneteau 435 
Rod M. instructor A Chilean native Got into sailing by racing in San Francisco Enjoys cruising San Juan Islands, Canada, Puget Sound and Alaska on 'Puelche', his 46' Jeanneau
Bob H. INSTRUCTOR Healthcare Executive who was born and raised in Olympia Has been boating in Puget Sound with his family since he was 6 years old. At 14 commercial fished in Alaska for six years. Scuba diver for 25 years, diving in Thailand, Mexico, Hawaii, Fiji, Caribbean and throughout the PNW and Canada. A sailor since 2004 in the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, BC and The Sea of Cortez, he hopes to sail further in the years to come. Bob maintains a United States Coast Guard Master Captains License. He loves sharing the sailing experience with others by chartering their 30” Catalina in the Puget Sound. Enjoys fly-fishing, backpacking and being in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. 
Jon D. boat maintenance MANAGER Retired Air Force MSgt Starting sailing while stationed in Texas. Crewed in a few races in the Corpus Christi Navy Regatta. Upon moving to the PNW-fell in love with being out on the Puget Sound with views of Mt. Rainier while taking his ASA 101 and 103 courses. Began working with PSSI in 2018. 
Haylie Office MANAGER Haylie moved from San Antonio, Texas in 2019 and started working for PSSI that summer. Although new to the sailing life, she has participated in the Corpus Christi Navy Regatta with her dad and other crew members in 2016. |
Steve F. INSTRUCTOR Retired Airline and FAA Aircraft Evaluation Pilot Began Sailing in 1994, Center for Wooden Boats (dingy and small boat sailing) USCG 50 Ton Masters 2012 PSSI Instructor Since 2013 : ASA 201, 203, 204, 205, 218 My Tartan 37, Ørn is currently moored in Puerto Escondido, in the Sea of Cortez. I’m looking forward to more exploration of the Sea of Cortez, and then bringing her back home possibly via the South Pacific or Hawaii. Any time on a boat is a good time! 
Paul F. INSTRUCTOR Retired school teacher Prior to teaching, held a fascinating career in TV and film production in LA and NYC Grew up sailing on a small lake in upstate NY Loves to charter and sail in the Caribbean 
Stephen L. INSTRUCTOR Former Pilot. Learned to sail with dinghies and keel-boats. He is familiar with- and recognized for- single-handed and shorthanded sailing on a number of different sized vessels. Loves to share his passion for sailing with beginning sailors, and LOVES to build confidence through the relaxed, patient, and encouraging style of instruction he is well-known for. In addition to his focus on safety, Stephen strives to make class a fun and informative experience for his students. 
John M. instructor 2016 ASA Outstanding Instructor of the Year Retired Pediatrician Sailed over 10k nautical miles. Studied piloting and navigation, celestial navigation, electronic navigating systems, GPS, AIS, Radar and maritime medicine. |
Arthur V. INSTRUCTOR Teaching with PSSI since 2013. Sailing and cruising are his foremost passions. Arthur and his wife, Audrey, enjoy cruising on their Catalina 36 throughout the Puget Sound and British Columbia. Arthur has been awarded the ASA outstanding instructor award in 2013 and 2016. Arthur has also sailed in several local races including the Oregon Offshore, Swiftsure, Vic-Maui (return), Mexorc, and the Baja Ha Ha. 
James L. Instructor Former Navy Avionics Instructor Currently a Finance Systems Analyst Grew up racing and sailing dinghies with his dad in the Midwest Co-founder – Skagit Valley College Sailing Team Enjoys racing in the Wednesday night, Windseekers race 
Mike C. INSTRUCTOR A retired Army Officer, Mike started sailing as a teen. He’s sailed wherever his career has found him – from Europe, the Northeast, the Midwest, and the Northwest. In the Northwest he’s particularly enjoyed participating in various races throughout Puget Sound. With an extensive background teaching in classrooms and outdoor settings, Mike enjoys sharing his passion for sailing. Especially rewarding is that moment theory and practice come together on the water for a smiling and confident sailor. When he’s not sailing, Mike enjoys teaching cross country skiing, cycling, hiking, and fly fishing. 
Bob B. INSTRUCTOR Retired after 30 years with Washington’s education agency and the Legislature Began sailing as a child on his family’s sailboat on Puget Sound. Owned three sailboats: currently has a 30-foot Catalina. Cruised throughout Puget Sound, the Canadian Gulf Islands, and Desolation Sound. Races his sailboat in fall and winter in South Sound races, and took first place in the 2017-18 Southern Sound Series in the Cruising Class. |
Bob G. instructor Bob and his family did a year long cruise up to Juneau, south along the pacific coast down to the Sea of Cortez Bob has also sailed San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, Turkey, Croatia, New Zealand 
Ross C. Instructor Retired Naval Aviator and Airline Captain Lifelong sailor and avid racer Has sailed Desolation Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, British Virgin Islands, California coastline, and Great Lakes Completed 4 Swiftsure races and many other local races
Patrick S. INSTRUCTOR Patrick Sears was born in upstate NY. His instructional career started with skiing, moved to High School Physics and has landed on sailing. With a master’s degree in instructional pedagogy and years of sailing experience on boats ranging from Hobie Cats to 40 foot cruisers, he has been honing these skills since he was a teenager. He joined PSSI in 2019 as a hobby to stay engaged with his passion for sailing and learning. He lives on his own sailboat in Tacoma and holds a day job in a rocket factory. 
Karl K. INSTRUCTOR and Maintenance crew Former Air Force officer and retired Healthcare Executive and Consultant. Karl has trained adults for over 35 years in various industries. Karl has been sailing since 1997, mostly Puget Sound with a few excursions in the Great Lakes and Caribbean, and has crewed in several local races. As a new instructor for PSSI, Karl gets to live his dream retirement job by bringing together his two great passions: sailing and teaching. 
Steve K. INSTRUCTOR 2014 ASA Outstanding Instructor of the Year Retired National Parks Ranger Passages to Bermuda, Virgin Islands, Panama Canal, Galapagos, Marquesas, Tahiti, Fiji, New Zealand |