Remembering "El Jefe" - Captain Kevin Holden | Modern Sailing

Remembering "El Jefe" - Captain Kevin Holden

We at Modern Sailing are saddened by the passing of our member, instructor, and friend Kevin Holden, and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

Kevin received the nickname El Jefe during his 22 years of leading groups of teenagers on mission trips to Mexico to build homes for those in need, a nickname that followed him to Modern Sailing. An avid sailor since 2009, Kevin joined Modern in 2015 and quickly became known in our community as a leader, a frequent Club Skipper and the co-founder of “Pirates For A Cause,” an arm of Modern Sailing's Leukemia Cup Regatta program. In 2021, he completed his ASA Instructor Qualification Clinics and began sharing his love of sailing with others as a Modern Sailing instructor. Engaged in community through Rotary, church, and sailing, Kevin's outgoing ways touched and improved the lives of many. He was admired for his passion for sailing and for life, his generous nature, and his unmistakable, hearty laugh. His loss is felt deeply in our community and he is greatly missed.

Kevin J. Holden Obituary

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  • John Boynton

    The class was terrific. I know you must get many compliments about your sailing instructors...But I must tell you that Robert is outstanding. Having taught SCUBA, I really appreciate the way he is so sensitive to all on board, dealing with each so well, knowing quickly their strengths and weaknesses making each feel special and cared for.

  • Sara Jane G.

    I've taken two classes at MSS&C and was very happy with the program. This is also a great club with lots of opportunities for camaraderie and practice on the water. The boats in the fleet are fantastic and kept in tip-top shape. I highly recommend for all sailors and would-be sailors!

  • 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.

  • John Clark

    Every aspect of Modern Sailing - training, syllabus, course materials, quality of the boats, quality of the instructors, and the very friendly and helpful staff - exceeded my expectations. Modern Sailing has a first class sailing program in an environment with challenging winds and currents. I look forward to coming back to charter a boat and certainly plan to continue my sailing training.

  • 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!

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Modern Sailing School & Club

Sausalito Location
2310 Marinship Way, Sausalito
(415) 331-8250
(800) 995-1668

Berkeley Location
1 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley
(415) 331-8250
(800) 995-1668

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