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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  • 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!

  • John Kipping

    The meeting room was quite adequate and the location most convenient, but the course outline and instruction were outstanding. Modern Sailing is fortunate to have such a well organized instructor in Mr. Stan Lander who teaches very well from a rich professional background. Mr. Lander was generous with his time and patiently in helping students who needed more attention or time in understanding various aspects of the curriculum.

  • Danny Collins

    The office staff was very accommodating in meeting my availability.

  • 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.

  • 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!

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