Gene Filipi | Modern Sailing

Gene Filipi

Instructor

Originally from Nebraska, Gene discovered a passion for sailing while building a successful career leading global sales and business development teams. Over the past 20 years, he has extensively sailed the San Francisco Bay. As an ASA Certified Sailing Instructor and USCG Licensed Captain, Gene focuses on helping students develop the skills, confidence, and teamwork required to become capable sailors, effective leaders, and responsible captains.

With a professional background rooted in team building and leadership, he approaches instruction with a belief that success stems from clear communication, trust, accountability, and calm execution under changing conditions. Gene's teaching style combines patience, encouragement, and hands-on coaching to create a positive learning environment both on the water and in the classroom.

Dedicated to helping others grow and build self-reliance, he views sailing as a unique opportunity to develop technical competency, sound decision-making, and the self-esteem that comes from meeting new challenges and working successfully as a team.

Sailing Certifications: ASA 101 (Basic Keelboat), 103 (Basic Coastal Cruising), 104 (Bareboat Cruising), 105 (Coastal Navigation), 106 (Advanced Coastal Cruising), 118 (Docking Endorsement)

Instructor Qualifications: ASA IQC 201, 203, 204, 218

USCG MMC Captain’s Credentials: 50 Ton Inland, OUVG Near Coastal, Auxiliary Sailing Endorsement, Towing Endorsement

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  • Warren Leiden, Member

    I try to get out on the water every week: out the Gate, around Angel, up Raccoon - I love it all. After 18 years as a member of OCSC in Berkeley, I learned to sail the bigger boats at Modern by taking ASA 103 and 104. My ASA 104 instructor Dave Russell was terrific. Also, Captain Bill Moreland has been very generous in giving informal advice whenever I’ve asked him. Thanks to Bill, I no longer have any anxiety about docking!

  • Trudy Flores

    Captain Jeff Cathers is really cool. I had such a great time on the Farallones Day Trip. It was actually my very best day of 2020. Thank you so much for coordinating the trip.

  • Lisa Butzer Wilde

    Thumbs up to (Club Skipper) Geoff (Love) and his wife Laura. I went on my first Club Sail on Sunday, January 18, 2026. They were terrific!

  • Jessica Zittere, Member

    The Full Moon Sail with Skipper Bob Gutsgell was Ah-Mayzing!! The group dynamic was lovely and the views spectacular. I can't say enough good things about the experience. Thanks so much for the wonderful Club Sails, they are really great.

  • Ellen Bator

    Informative and professional

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