Expanding Our Horizon: Meet the New Faces of Modern Sailing's Club Skipper Program
At Modern Sailing, we're always looking for ways to enhance the value we provide our members, both on and off the water. A key part of that commitment is our Club Skipper program, and we're proud to announce that our May Club Skipper Clinic has successfully graduated five new leaders who are ready to take the helm.
Our Club Skippers are more than just experienced sailors; they're essential members of our community who take the initiative to lead our highly-anticipated Club Sails. These individuals commit to intensive, specialized training with our top instructors—an investment in themselves and our collective experience. Their dedication allows them to refine their skills, deepen their understanding of the Bay, and in turn, provide an invaluable service to fellow members. As a token of our appreciation, they receive benefits such as the ability to share the experience with a guest and other incentives that support their ongoing development.
We're delighted to introduce you to Beri Bener, Paul Duckett, John Perry, Jeff Wilfong, and Jack Zorman. Each of these gentlemen embodies the spirit of leadership and camaraderie that defines Modern Sailing. Get familiar with their personal sailing stories and what drives their commitment to our community by reading below, but also during one of our Club Sails.
Join us in celebrating the newest additions to our Club Skipper team. Their expertise and passion will undoubtedly continue to make our Club Sails some of the most sought-after experiences on the Bay.
L to R: Jack Zorman, Instructor - Capt. Robert Bivin, Paul Duckett, Beri Bener, Jeff Wilfong, and John Perry
Beri Bener
"Even the simply exercise of tying a knot makes me happier and that’s why I’m here. It’s a better day when I have the opportunity for a cleat hitch; what a thrill if I get to do a rolling hitch. Each comes with many stories behind; regarding where we are in the world; where we are docking or if the anchor is holding, what we’re grilling or what the conversation is about.
Magical thing about sailing is that it opens many such exciting new windows and here I’m grateful to be your club skipper to build more stories!
I’m happier at the sea, have ASA 106 (Advanced Coastal Cruising) and ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran) and charter often in SF bay with my friends. When I’m not sailing, I’m thinking about sailing; especially in Mediterranean or tropics and quite often I think about planning my next week long charter somewhere.
See you soon at the dock! …and no need to say; I’m looking forward already!"
Paul Duckett
"I’m excited to be a Club Skipper! This is one of the steps toward my goal of earning a USCG OUPV/Six-Pack License and eventually becoming a sailing instructor with Modern Sailing.
After years of listening to, going to see, and then meeting Jimmy Buffett my sailing journey finally began in 2001 with ASA 101, 103, and 104. This quickly led to owning a Newport 30 and a very fun few years of sailing on the Bay. After a long hiatus from regular sailing, I enthusiastically jumped back in with both feet when I joined Modern Sailing almost 2-years ago, Summer 2023. Since then, I’ve completed ASA 105, 106, 107, 114, 118, plus Advanced Sail Trip and Heavy Weather Tactics.
Additionally, I’ve participated in 3 catamaran charters in the USVI/BVI and, in June 2024, I completed a 2,000-nautical mile open-ocean passage from New Zealand to Fiji. An unforgettable experience!
I’m passionate about learning, sharing knowledge, and spreading the joy of sailing. Let’s get out on the water, learn together, and have a blast doing it."
John Perry
"I knew next to nothing about sailing until I was 35 years old when, during a long distance cycling trip along the south coast of England, I unexpectedly found myself on a 35 foot sailboat crossing The Solent at sunset with my bike tied to the lifelines around the pulpit! About one month later, I relocated to Boston where I spotted small sailboats on the Charles River and, intrigued, found out that these were part of a Community Boating program where novices could learn cheaply. Thus my intro to sailing: solo on a 12 foot Cape Cod Mercury in the fickle winds between MIT and Boston’s Backbay.
After I moved to the Bay Area (year-round sailing, yay!), I gradually gained more experience, sailed on bigger boats and achieved various ASA certs, including some teaching before a long lull in due to young family commitments. The pandemic ironically resurrected my involvement when I joined a group of fellow Bay Area sailors on my first charter through the San Juan Islands (we drove there as we were too scared to fly - that was a thing, remember?). This kick-started a tradition and I have enjoyed a sailing cruise each year since with destinations such as Greece, the BVIs, Antigua & Barbuda all of which were very special experiences that I could discuss at length - it is difficult to overstate the joy of sailing the winds & waters of the tropics!
For the other 51 weeks of the year, I feel very luck to live in Marin county with our frequent perfect sailing weather. Yet, as a non-boat owner, I can only go sailing thanks to the convenience of Modern Sailing in Sausalito - such great access to our beautiful Bay that never gets boring. An ideal sailing day for me involves a pleasant run down Raccoon Strait, then anchoring in the warm sunshine at Paradise Cove for an afternoon tea (with suitable cake, of course) before heading out into “The Slot” and over to Yerba Buena Island to spend an overnight in Clipper Cove. I have recently ramped up my involvement with Modern in the hope of doing this kind of thing more frequently. As a new club skipper, aside from providing extra sailing opportunities and meeting like minded sailors, I believe there is something about being in command on a boat that keeps the skills and knowledge sharp. And there is always something useful to learn from sailing with others.
Given my sailing journey, I am a strong believer and encourager of new adult learners. Sailing is not just for the wealthy. It’s never too late to learn!"
Jeff Wilfong
"I'm thrilled to join Modern Sailing as a new Club Skipper. My sailing journey is driven by both passion for being on the water and continuous learning and mastering the art of safe, confident seamanship.
I hold ASA certifications from 101 (Basic Keelboat Sailing) through 108 (Offshore Passagemaking), along with 114 (Cruising Catamaran) and 118 (Docking Endorsement). I'm always eager to learn and grow, which recently led me to start the journey toward completing my Royal Yachting Association Yachtmaster Offshore certification in the Solent (UK) this October—wish me luck! I’m always interested to practice skills, whether it’s docking, crew-overboard drills, or other essential maneuvers. Sailing has become more than a hobby—it's a lifelong pursuit and a challenge. I enjoy attending trainings and webinars, and reading books on all topics related to sailing, such as weather, first aid, safety, navigation, COLREGs and more. My goal is to enjoy worldwide sailing via charters and to know at least a little about everything.
I'm eager to step further into leadership roles, sharing what I've learned, helping others gain confidence on the water, and meeting new friends. Modern Sailing offers incredible access to a wide variety of boats at both locations, which is a huge benefit. Even more valuable, in my opinion, is the deep pool of knowledge and experience among the instructors—there's always something new to learn from them.
My ultimate dream is to sail all over the world! I'm hoping to explore places all over the world and in all the oceans. So far, I've had the incredible opportunity to sail the Windward Islands, the Pacific Northwest (including the San Juan Islands and lower BC), La Paz in Mexico, and the Solent in the UK.
And if you're curious about my favorite item in my ditch bag, it's a tie between my ACR personal locator beacon and my handheld Garmin GPS with Iridium satellite messaging. In an emergency, they offer incredible peace of mind, allowing me to be located quickly and communicate with search and rescue or even send messages to family and friends.
As for sailing in the Bay, my favorite spot is definitely "The Slot." The combination of consistent high winds, heavy traffic, and iconic views of the skyline, Alcatraz, and the bridges makes it an unbeatable sailing experience every time.
I'm looking forward to meeting many of you out on the water!"
Jack Zorman
Jack Zorman is a familiar face in the Modern Sailing community since he joined our Racing Program in 2023. Jack's commitment to continuous learning and expanding his sailing repertoire makes him a notable addition to our Club Skipper team.
Jack comes to us with a strong sailing background, having earned ASA certifications through 106 (Advanced Coastal Cruising). He's also a testament to the value of specialized training, having completed numerous Modern Sailing in-house clinics. These include Electronic Piloting and Radar, the Angel Island Mooring Clinic, Heavy Weather Sailing Techniques, Advanced Sail Trim, Night Sailing Clinic, and the Platinum Maneuvering and Docking Clinic. This extensive training underscores his dedication to safety and proficiency on the water.
His sailing journey began on smaller vessels like the Cal 20, Laser 13, and Hobie Cat 14, and he received his initial ASA certifications amidst the stunning waters of the San Juan Islands. Jack's experience in the Pacific Northwest spans iconic locations such as Chuckanut Bay, Rosario Resort, Friday Harbor, and Sucia. He also enjoyed an impressive flotilla adventure from Bellingham, Washington, into the Canadian waters of Bedwell Harbor, Port Sidney, and through the scenic Desolation Sound to Campbell River aboard a Beneteau 45' Natsumi. Since 2021, Jack has been an avid and consistent sailor here on the San Francisco Bay, further cementing his local knowledge.
Jack's broad experience and proactive approach to learning will be a welcome addition to our Club Sails. We anticipate that his involvement and leadership will further enrich the experience for our members. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Jack Zorman and all of our new Club Sail Skippers!
