our crew

Puget Sound Sailing Institute - Seattle and Tacoma
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    • DIRECTOR MIKE RICE
    • OUR CREW
    • JOIN OUR CREW
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  • LESSONS
    • 2021 CLASS SCHEDULE
    • BASIC CLASS DETAILS
    • ADVANCED CLASS DETAILS
    • SPECIALTY CLINICS
    • PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
    • CHALLENGE ASA CERTS
  • SAILING CLUB
    • CLUB INFO
    • CLUB RESERVATIONS
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  • LEASING
    • LEASE BOATS
    • BOATS FOR SALE
    • LEASE RESERVATIONS
    • NOAA WEATHER
  • Vacations
    • LEARNING VACATIONS
  • EXCURSIONS
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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.) 


"Our Instructor, Arthur was the BEST possible instructor! Very clear, understandable, patient and he made the class fun and enjoyable" - 101 Student
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'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 
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'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'


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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.

She enjoys sailing from time to time with her family on the Puget Sound, and is working on getting her ASA 101 certification before next season!


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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.
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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.
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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.  
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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​





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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
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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.
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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.



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James L. 
Instructor
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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 
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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. 
 
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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!

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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 




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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


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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
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Mike C.
INSTRUCTOR
Bio coming soon!
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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.
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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​

Serving Seattle and Tacoma

BASIC CLASSES
ADVANCED CLASSES
​CLASS DATES
​SAILING CLUB
VACATIONS
BOAT LEASING
EXCURSIONS
​CONTACT US

Contact Us

info@pugetsoundsailing.com
​
1-253-383-1774
Check out Puget Sound Sailing Institute on Yelp
  • Home
  • About
    • DIRECTOR MIKE RICE
    • OUR CREW
    • JOIN OUR CREW
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • LESSONS
    • 2021 CLASS SCHEDULE
    • BASIC CLASS DETAILS
    • ADVANCED CLASS DETAILS
    • SPECIALTY CLINICS
    • PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
    • CHALLENGE ASA CERTS
  • SAILING CLUB
    • CLUB INFO
    • CLUB RESERVATIONS
    • NOAA FORECAST
  • LEASING
    • LEASE BOATS
    • BOATS FOR SALE
    • LEASE RESERVATIONS
    • NOAA WEATHER
  • Vacations
    • LEARNING VACATIONS
  • EXCURSIONS
  • CONTACT US