Racing Coach & Instructor
Mark Jordan remembers the first time he went sailing as a teenager. It was a typical blustery summer day on San Francisco Bay, and he recalls the excitement he felt when the sails were first hoisted, the engine shut off, and the boat came alive under the power of the wind. Right there and then, he knew he wanted to be a sailor.
Since that day Mark has sailed thousands of miles, both cruising and racing, in San Francisco Bay and in waters all over the world. In 2015, he was asked to start teaching for a local yacht club, and as part of that opportunity he got his first ASA instructor qualification.
In 2018, he earned his USCG Captain's license, and decided to transition from a successful Silicon Valley career to working full time on the water. Today, Mark works as a sailing instructor, racing coach, delivery skipper, and manager of luxury yachts for select clients.
Mark has raced competitively in many one-design fleets, including J/105, J/88, J/109, Santa Cruz 27, Express 27, Express 37, and more. He currently owns a 2007 Hanse 342 which he cruises and races doublehanded in the PHRF fleet. His recent racing highlights include the 2022 Pacific Cup Race to Hawaii (double-handed), Rolex Big Boat Series, Santa Cruz 27 National Championships, and the Delta Ditch Run.
Recently, Mark was selected to join Team Envolee, a Beneteau Figaro 2, to compete in the 2024 Antigua Sailing Week races taking place in the first week of May.
Mark is very excited to be part of the new Modern Sailing Performance Racing Program. Asked about the upcoming season, he said "I've always told my students that racing is the best way I know to develop boat-handling skills. In the past, Modern has offered a single-tiered Recreational Racing Program, offering sailors the chance to get a feel for racing in an informal setting. The Tier 3 Performance Racing Program will offer students a path to the next level. For members who are up for a challenge and who are competitive, this will give them the chance to level up by racing on some of the most demanding sportboats among some of the most skilled fleets on San Francisco Bay. It's going to be exciting! I'm looking forward to helping them get there!"
Certifications and Training
- US Coast Guard OUPV Near Coastal Captain’s License
- American Sailing Academy Instructor Credentials:
- ASA 218 Docking Endorsement Instructor
- ASA 214 Cruising Catamarans Instructor
- ASA 210 Small Boat Sailing Instructor
- ASA 204 Bareboat Cruising Instructor
- ASA 203 Basic Coastal Cruising Instructor
- ASA 201 Basic Keelboat Instructor
- American Red Cross First Aid Certification - Adult First Aid/AED/CPR
- US Sailing International Offshore Safety at Sea Certification
- World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Training Certification
- PADI Advanced Open Water Scuba Diver
- 37+ years sailing experience on SF Bay and waters all over the world
