Uanoa Nelson

Instructor

Uanoa began sailing at age five on San Francisco Bay aboard his family’s Beneteau First 235 learning to read currents, tides, and afternoon winds while sailing to Angel Island and along the city front.

As a teenager, Uanoa completed offshore deliveries between Long Beach and San Francisco, raced FJs for Campolindo High School, earned his US Sailing Level 1 Instructor certification, and taught youth sailors in Hawaii and adult sailors at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center while completing his degree.

Since joining Modern Sailing in 2023 as a Customer Service/Sales Representative, Uanoa has inspired both new and experienced sailors on their individual journeys while serving as Modern Sailing’s Race Program Lead.

Today, Uanoa holds his OUPV Captain’s License and is proud to serve on the Modern Sailing teaching staff, continuing the same passion he developed as a kid on the Bay: helping others discover the freedom, confidence, and joy that come from sailing.

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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!
Mike, Santa Rosa, California

All of the courses and my instructors (JT and Stan) were extremely professional and full of knowledge and experience. I found I was able to learn from their experiences beyond the scope of the courses, and look forward to future opportunities to do so. I would highly recommend Modern Sailing to anyone.
Emma & George Stubbs, Sausalito

We just took our ASA 106 at a school in Rhode Island as we prepare for 6 months of cruising in the Caribbean. The class was great, but more than anything it made us really appreciate the quality of teaching and rigor at Modern Sailing. Even though we were the newest to sailing, the group seemed to think that we had the best fundamentals. We felt very well prepared and we see why Modern Sailing has the reputation it does.
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!
David Dolenc, Member

I love sailing in the San Francisco Bay and greatly appreciate everything that MSC has to offer, the classes, clinics, club sails, racing and charters. I enjoy our supportive sailing community and use every opportunity to spend time on the water. After obtaining the certifications from MSC I did my first charter in Croatia in 2022 with my family. It was amazing and we’re looking forward to returning soon!

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