All of our instructors are USCG licensed and ASA Instructor certified
Home of FIVE ASA Outstanding Instructors!
(Mike R. {10-time Winner}, Arthur V., John M., Mike C., and Steve K.) 

PSSI Instructors & ASA Classes they teach

Steve F.
101, 103, 104, 105, 118

Mike J.
101, 103, 104, 105, 118

Bob H.
101, 103, 105, 120

Ross C.
101, 103, 104, 118

Patrick S.
101, 103, 105

Jim L.
101, 103, 104, 105

Bob G.
101, 103, 104, 105

Karl K.
101, 103, 104

Arthur V.
101, 103, 104, 105, 106

Steve L.
101, 103, 104, 105

Rod M.
​101, 103, 104, 114, 118

Mike C.
101, 103, 104

Liz K
101

David G
101, 103

WHAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY:
"Thank you Bob for a wonderful learning experience and an unforgettable, life-changing moment! This was amazing!" 101 Student Adam Z

Mike Johnston was amazing! He showed me my strengths & strengthened my  weaknesses! 103 Student Angee B

Mike R did a wonderful & perfect job meeting our skills where we are at and taking us the rest of the way. Excellent class! Thank You!!!! 118 Student Bob H
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"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'

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​





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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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Bob H.

​INSTRUCTOR

Being from Olympia has allowed Bob to enjoy boating on the Puget Sound since he was 6 years old.  At age 14 became an Alaskan commercial fisherman for six years before he began sailing in 2004. Has worked in healthcare for 27 years.
Bob maintains a United States Coast Guard Master Captains License. He loves sharing the sailing experience with others by instructing and chartering their 42” Catalina in the Puget Sound.
Enjoys family time, travel, fly-fishing, backpacking and being in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Jon D.

boat maintenance

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.

Darren C.

DIRECTOR of OPERATIONS

After years of being a hyper-growth manager, Darren, just off a five-year stint in Real Estate with Keller Williams as a Productivity Coach and DOO of a leading team, has decided to follow his bliss into and on the water with PSSI. Born in Reno, NV, Darren spent ample time on Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake but now being a Pacific Northwesterner for the past 22 years, he loves the Puget Sound even more. Looking forward to sailing frequently with his wife and family, Darren is having a blast meeting all the PSSI members and looks forward to building an even more incredible community or 'Tribe' as he likes to say.

Steve F.

INSTRUCTOR ​

Retired Airline and FAA Pilot 

USCG 50 Ton Masters 2012 

PSSI Instructor Since 2013: ASA 201, 203, 204, 205, 218

Began Sailing in 1994, Center for Wooden Boats (dingy and small boat sailing)
My Tartan 37 Ørn is currently moored in Des Moines, having sailed her home from the Sea of Cortez, completing a three-year journey to Mexico and back.
She is now available for private instruction, skippered charters, and Excursions

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.



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Liz K.

INSTRUCTOR

Born and raised in Alaska, Liz spent her summers on sailboats out of Seward, Alaska.  She explored the Kenai Fjords, Kodiak Island, Prince William Sound, and the Inside Passage with her sea-crazed parents. Liz graduated from rail meat, to crew, to winning skipper in the local yacht club’s annual women’s race, the Rum Doodle Cup.  She now sails Giiwedin, an Olson 911s, upon which she plans to continue the grand tradition of children “building character” by hauling the excess weight off the boat on race days and cleaning the bilge with toothbrushes.



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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.

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 

Mike C.

INSTRUCTOR

2021 ASA Outstanding Instructor of the Year!
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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.

David G

INSTRUCTOR

Sailing Adventurer – Instructor - Racer.
​A Seattle native, I began sailing at five on a hand-built Yachting World Cadet in Muskoka, Canada. Grew up cruising Puget Sound and San Juan islands on Catalina 30’s. For five years (including four freezing winters), lived aboard and restored a Morgan 41 Out Island Ketch in Mystic, CT while cruising New England. So grateful for the opportunities to sail 57,000+ adventurous miles including 4 Pacific Ocean crossings and a visit by a USCG helicopter when our Jeanneau 43 sailboat sprang a leak 200 miles offshore during a ferocious gale. Committed to continuous learning and sharing experiences, hold ASA (101/103/104/114/118/201/203), US Sailing, and Yachtmaster Ocean certs and 2017 USCG Licensed Master Maritime Captain (50 Ton, Nearshore). Winning keelboat racer with CYC Seattle, CYC Tacoma, and Royal Van (Canada). Now with PSSI since 2022. I’m dedicated to sharing my passion for sailing, helping others restore their mental and physical well-being, create community on the water, and improve the health of our planet…one sailor at a time!

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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Ross C. 

Instructor

Lifelong sailor, instructor, and avid racer.
A Chicagoland native, began sailing in dinghies on Lake Michigan as a youngster.
Has cruised the Great Lakes, Desolation Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, British Virgin Islands, California offshore.
Sailed in 6 Swiftsure races and many local regattas.
Retired Naval Aviator and Airline Captain, holds a USCG 50-ton Master Captain’s License.
Instructing with PSSI since 2017.
Leads the popular PSSI Introduction to Racing course.
Enjoys hosting family and team building excursions on his Jeanneau 37 “Work Release”
https://www.pugetsoundsailing.com/excursions.html
When not on the water enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and playing with the grandkids

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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 FLEET Maintenance MANAGER

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.