Dave Russell | Modern Sailing

Dave Russell

Instructor

Dave got started sailing by getting shanghaied onto 210-foot three masted schooner in the Caribbean in 1991, and that first experience in the islands changed his life forever. While he prefers to sail large catamarans, Dave has never met a boat he didn’t like. In fact he’s invested in several Tall Ships that offer vacation cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, and frequently crews on those ships. Dave began instructing in 2009.  His favorite activity is instructing the ASA courses for Cruising Catamaran and Bareboat Chartering, anywhere you want to learn - especially in San Francisco Bay and tropical locations such as the Caribbean and Tahiti. Dave charters all over the World several times each year. He has sailed four oceans and the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Andaman, Adriatic, Ionian Seas plus the Great Lakes.  “What I love about sailing, in addition to the water, the sky and the boat; is that every day is a learning experience. That is Freedom."

Credentials:
ASA Certified Instructor in:

  • ASA Basic Keelboat Sailing (201)
  • ASA Keelboat Sailing 2 (202)
  • ASA Basic Coastal Cruising (203)
  • ASA Bareboat Cruising (204)
  • ASA Coastal Navigation (205)
  • ASA Advanced Coastal Cruising (206)
  • ASA Cruising Catamaran (214)
  • ASA Dinghy & Outboard Endorsement
  • ASA Docking Endorsement (218)
  • United States Coast Guard 100 Ton Master License
  • Consultant to the rum industry
  • Retired Senior Director at Apple
  • Former championship-winning Motorcycle roadracer

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  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Danny Collins

    The office staff was very accommodating in meeting my availability.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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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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