Before we embark on a new season on the San Francisco Bay, it's time to recognize and celebrate the incredible people who sailed with us in 2025. Every moment dedicated to practice and preparation is equally as important as the helpful tips and invitations our community members offered to one another. Please help us to acknowledge the recipients of our 2025 Top Student, Top Charterer, and Ambassador Awards.
These passionate individuals carry the spirit of Modern Sailing through their commitment to improving their skills and enjoying the freedom of the sport. Our award winners represent the hours of devotion it takes to turn a hobby into a lifestyle.
Introducing the 2025 Award Categories:
- Top Student - Recognizing the most dedicated and successful students who have excelled in their sailing journey.
- Top Charterer - Honoring members who have embraced the freedom of the open water through frequent and memorable charters.
- Club Ambassador - Recognizing members who have gone above and beyond to foster a welcoming and supportive community spirit.
- Member Awards Hall of Fame (2016-2024)
- 2025 Commodores Club Inductees A Legacy of Sailing
We also extend our warmest congratulations to the 2025 inductees into the prestigious Commodores Club. These seasoned sailors, distinguished by their frequent charters, are the true pillars of our sailing family. They enjoy exclusive benefits, including special swag and account credits.
Exclusive Recognition: All award winners will receive the coveted Modern Sailing logo jacket, a symbol of their achievements and a lasting reminder of their contributions. Join us in celebrating these exceptional sailors and the vibrant community they help to create.
Tim Odenweller, Top Student
Modern Sailing proudly recognizes Tim Odenweller as our 2025 Top Student! Last year, Tim reached out to us after celebrating a big birthday, expressing a dream to learn sailing. The spark began 50 years ago when Tim spent a season as a deck hand and chef on a 90' converted Bergstrom trawler in the USVIs. He aspired to gain certifications to bareboat charter and "to learn and experience as much as I can." Tim may have been in retirement but he was not resting any time soon. Tim didn't just take a class; he immersed himself in the sport. Starting with our fast-track ASA 101/103 Basic Coastal Combination, he earned his skipper certification in just five days. From there, his logbook became a whirlwind of advanced training: ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising, ASA 105 & 106 California Coastal Combination Course, ASA 114 Cruising Catamaran, ASA 116 Dinghy & Outboard Endorsement, and ASA 118 Docking Endorsement. While his technical progression is impressive, it’s Tim’s presence on the docks that earned him this recognition. Lane Nelson, the first person to welcome Tim to Berkeley, recalls their first meeting:
"Tim came to Berkeley just to walk the docks, and we ended up chatting for a half hour about the sheer joy of sailing. He is an incredibly patient and kind person. He’s been very active not only in the classroom but also as a mentor on the Crew List, frequently chartering with other members and sharing his wealth of life experience." - Lane Nelson, MSC Race Coordinator and ASA Instructor
Where is Tim now?
True to his goals, Tim is currently in St. Barts, too busy enjoying the Caribbean to send in a photo! We can think of no better way for our Top Student to celebrate his achievements than by enjoying one of the world's premier sailing grounds.
Top Charterer Award
Our 2025 Top Charterer award is a tie between two sailors who exemplify what it means to make the San Francisco Bay your second home. Please join us in celebrating Tony Chigazola and Warren Leiden.
Warren Leiden, Top Charterer
"I was an OCSC Berkeley member since 2000 until its demise, and in 2018 joined Modern Sailing Sausalito to sail closer to home in Marin and to sail bigger boats. I’m a Gold Fleet fan, with a special affection for Andiamo, the 36 ft Catalina. It’s so nice to be able to charter without the hassle of maintenance, slip rental, and ownership, plus the access to the Modern Sailing “crew list” means I can almost always secure enough crew. I’ve completed the ASA certifications at Modern through 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising, and want to express my sincere gratitude to the late Bill Moreland, for his invaluable advice and warm encouragement. He is missed.
In December 2024, I cruised in the Caribbean as first mate with Modern members Robert Clark (skipper), Richard Caro, and Michael Goertz (whom I’ve known since OCSC days). We sailed a Dufour 54 out of Jolly Harbour, Antigua, made the passage to Barbuda, and then returned to finish circumnavigating Antigua island. We anchored every night, cooked dinner on board most days, but enjoyed a grilled lobster feast at Enoch’s Shack-a-Kaï on Princess Diana Beach in Barbuda. We were seven nights on the boat and logged about 113 nautical miles. It was quite an adventure, and I appreciated the skills I learned at Modern Sailing." - Warren
Tony Chigazola, Top Charterer
When Tony joined Modern Sailing in mid-2023, he was looking to formalize years of casual sailing with friends. He quickly realized that for him, sailing wasn't just a hobby, it was a calling. After a whirlwind year of training through ASA 104 and 118, Tony didn't slow down in 2025.
Tony has become a fixture of our Sausalito charter fleet. Not only is he a dedicated Club Skipper, helping newer members find their sea legs, but he has also expanded into the world of racing. In 2025, Tony joined our CYC Friday Level 1 Intro Race Series and Level 2 Develeopment SYC Summer Sunset teams.
Whether he’s at the helm of a Platinum-fleet Survivor (Beneteau Oceanis 38) or navigating a sunset sail on Bora Bora (Premier Tier Beneteau Oceanis 34.1), Tony’s journey from a student to a top-tier charterer and racer is a testament to what happens when passion meets the wind.
"I quickly realized that sailing would be much more than a casual interest. I'm very appreciative of the wonderful instruction and the chance to share stories and adventures with other sailors as a Club Skipper." - Tony
Sabrina Kalleen, MSC Club Ambassador
Sabrina is named Modern Sailing's Club Ambassador, a title exemplifying the community spirit of sailing. Sabrina's dedication, enthusiasm, and willingness to champion for others make her a welcome asset to our sailing family. Since beginning her journey with her ASA 101, Sabrina has become a familiar and welcome face around the Sausalito and Berkeley docks. Her progression has been nothing short of inspiring—moving steadily through her certifications and preparing for her ASA 104 later this month.
But Sabrina’s contribution to the club goes far beyond her logbook. She is a powerhouse of community engagement, frequently utilizing the Crew List to rally fellow members and ensure no boat leaves the dock with an empty spot. She is also a passionate advocate for women in sailing, consistently encouraging more ladies to take the helm and get out on the water.
Whether she is braving the rain for a scheduled charter or participating in specialized training like Night Sailing, ASA 118 Docking Endorsement, or even venturing out on a Farallones Expedition, Sabrina meets every challenge with a smile.
Member Awards Hall of Fame (2016 - 2024)
Our thanks and genuine appreciation to our past Member Awards honorees - many of whom are still active members of the club!
| TOP STUDENT | TOP CHARTERER(S) | TOP RACER | CLUB AMBASSADOR(S) | |
| 2016 | John Erickson | Deniz Kahramaner | -- | Lance Emerson and Ernest Khirallah |
| 2017 | Ken Hargreaves | Deniz Kahramaner | -- | Tim Sullivan |
| 2018 | Gregg Golembeski | Michael Barrientos | -- | Nichole Ortiz |
| 2019 | Scott Corder | Paul Husen | -- | Warren Leiden |
| 2020 | Paul Aichholzer | Charles Warren | -- | Vincent Latour and Julia Frink; Bob Gutsgell |
| 2021 | Cameron Poetzscher | William Le | -- | Jim Haussener |
| 2022 | Christopher Dang | Richard Pon | -- | Kent Carter and Paolo Juvera |
| 2023 | Elizabeth Henderson | Tom Petersen | Tim Kordas | Lily Bragg |
| 2024 | Richard Lyons | Lucy Pon | Arkadiy Goltser | Terence Carey |
2025 Commodores Club Inductees
Congratulations to Modern Sailing's Newest Commodores Club Inductees! We are delighted to recognize our most active members of 2025 by inducting them into the esteemed Commodores Club! Now in its ninth year, the Commodores Club honors our most frequent charterers with exclusive benefits.
Curious about the requirements for joining the Commodores Club and the exciting rewards that await our members? Click here to learn more.
Without further ado, let's celebrate our 2025 Commodores Club inductees (includes some long-standing members)!
THREE FLAG COMMODORES (20+ Charters)
Lucy Pon
Warren Leiden
TWO FLAG COMMODORES (15-19 Charters)
Anthony Chigazola
Bill Lawler
ONE FLAG COMMODORES (10-14 Charters)
Guillaume Calot
Michael Zeglin
Chris Plue
Prithviraj Pandian
Bradley Weaver
Manuel Hoffman
Richard Pon
David Pahl
Mark Murphy
Dan Menudier
James Govert
Jason Day
Lucy Pon, Three Flag Commodore
Richard Pon, One Flag Commodore
"Thank you, Modern Sailing School and Club, for enabling another exciting year of sailing and camaraderie both in San Francisco Bay and abroad. As always, Moon Dance and Folie a Deux are the perfect vessels for our sailing adventures in and near the San Francisco Bay. Modern Sailing members are the absolute best to adventure with for our local and global sails. Thank you and thanks to all of our sailing friends for a very memorable 2025." - Lucy
Bill Lawler, Two Flag Commodore
“I’d like to thank the MSC instructors, staff, and sailing community for creating such a rich sailing experience. I began sailing in 2018 after moving back to Marin County. Since then I’ve completed classes through ASA 106, sailed extensively on San Francisco Bay, become a Club Skipper, and gone on sailing charters in Panama, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the San Juan Islands. The most rewarding part of sailing with MSC, however, has been becoming part of the community and, most importantly, the wonderful friendships I’ve made along the way.” - Bill
Brad Weaver, One Flag Commodore
"Modern Sailing has turned an early spark into a true passion! What began with crewing for friends and leading a group of high schoolers on a Caribbean adventure with my wife, Jeanne, many years ago has grown into something that truly energizes and inspires me. Jeanne and I have traveled to New Zealand and returned to the Caribbean to sail and we can’t wait for more. Modern Sailing has been central to that journey. The instructors have been patient, skilled, and encouraging at every step, helping me build confidence and deepen my abilities. I’m grateful for their guidance and for the community that has shaped me into a better sailor." - Brad
