Andrea began her sailing journey on Lac Neuchâtel in Switzerland where she co-owned a Beneteau Class 8. Having gained experience sailing the Lac, the ocean called to her, motivating her to obtain her yacht master’s certificate through the Swiss Cruising Club. Andrea soon expanded her horizons, sailing the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, English Channel and Channel Islands, North and Baltic Sea, Kattegat and Skagerrak.
After relocating to the San Francisco Bay in 1996, Andrea continued her passion for sailing. Together with her husband she purchased a Classic Folkboat, and a few years later, upgraded
to a Hallberg Rassy 38. Before having children, Andrea raced on the Bay on Folkboats and a Cal29, and on the ocean on a C&C 40.
Ocean cruising is what makes Andrea's heart sing the most. In 2003, with their 2 and 4 year old boys, her family sailed from San Francisco to the Sea of Cortez and back. It was an amazing experience for the family. It was after helping a friend sail his boat back from San Carlos, Mexico, that Andrea decided to start a career as a professional mariner and obtained her USCG 100-Ton Master's License. Until the pandemic hit, she worked on ferries, Bay cruise boats, and yacht deliveries up the coast to Seattle.
Andrea has been a sailing instructor for the Junior Program at Richmond Yacht Club for the last 4 years. She is excited to expand her love of teaching to adults and especially women. Andrea is passionate about empowering women to gain confidence and take on the helm.
When not teaching sailing, Andrea works on the San Francisco Water Taxi and on Sacajewea, a former Army Corps of Engineer vessel built in 1936. Andrea is most happy when she can spend her days on the water.
