Instructor, Race Coach
Growing up on the shores of Lake Starnberg in Bavaria, Rolf Jaeger's passion for sailing ignited at the age of 10. He was inspired by his parents who were also enthusiastic sailors. Since then, the water has been his second home. Joining the historic Ammerlander Sailing Club (celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2024) at 14, he's been a dedicated member and competitor in dinghy and small keelboat regattas ever since, even serving as Youth Director and Trainer from 1973 to 1979.
Relocating to California in 1979, Rolf embraced the West Coast sailing scene, adding windsurfing to his repertoire in 1981 and competing in local and state regattas throughout the 80s. His love for multihulls led him to Hobie catamarans, racing Hobie 16s for four years starting in 1996 and, more recently, Hobie 20s. He's raced these high-performance cats at state and national levels, both on inland lakes and challenging ocean venues like Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Bodega Bay, and has served on the board of Hobie Division 3 for the past four years.
Rolf's commitment to the sailing community extends to the Richmond Yacht Club, where he's been a member since 2018 and serves on the Standing Race Committee. His expertise in race management has also led him to serve as Principal Race Officer (PRO) for numerous regattas, including a YRA event.
Beyond racing, Rolf has a passion for cruising and offshore sailing. Since 2016, he's lived aboard his Gulf 39 Pilothouse Sloop, Borealis, at Marina Bay Yacht Harbor, using her as a base for offshore explorations. This passion for the water culminated in earning his OUPV Merchant Mariner Credential in 2021. Rolf brings a wealth of experience and a contagious enthusiasm to his role as a race coach and instructor at Modern Sailing.
Boats Sailed Offshore (other than my own):
Fishing Vessel, Mariah - 23 GRT, 36ft; deckhand; 90 days 2011 – 2017
Catana 43, Balancing Act - 20 GRT catamaran, 43ft; crew; delivery Santa Barbara to Oakland, 2018
Santa Cruz 52, Adrenalin - captain; delivery San Diego to Richmond, 2018
Cavalier 39, Kiwa - 9 GRT, 39ft; crew & operator; Richmond to Cabo, 2019
Privilege 49, Arkouda - 13 GRT, 49ft; crew & operator; Ensenada to Cabo, Baha-ha-ha 2021
Kurt Hughes 57, Carmanah Wind - 24 GRT catamaran, 57ft; crew; St. Augustine, FL, to Barra di Navidad, MX, 2022
40’ Sea Ray Sundancer, One & Only - captain; Emery Cove Marina to Marina del Rey, May 2024
Boats Sailed In Regattas:
Pirat, Skipper; ~1964-1967
Korsar, Skipper; ~1967-1970
Flying Dutchman, Crew and skipper; ~1968-1979
Varianta,Skipper; ~1972-1975
Hobie 16, Skipper; ~1996-2000
Hobie 20, Skipper; 2000-present
Folkboat, Crew; ~2008/2009
Various Ferrier Trimarans (24ft -32ft), Crew; ~ 2015-present
Championships Competition:
Hobie 20 National Championship 2018 (Huntington Lake)
Hobie 20 National Championship 2017 (Yankton)
Hobie 20 National Championship 2015 (Avila Beach)
Hobie 20 National Championship 2012 (Sausalito)
Flying Dutchman Worlds 2012 (Santa Cruz)
Hobie 20 National Championship 2009 (Lake Havasu)
International Folkboat Regatta ~2008 (San Francisco Bay)
Hobie 20 National Championship 2007 (Alameda)
Hobie 20 National Championship 2006 (Lake Texoma)
Flying Dutchman World Week ~ 1974 (Lago di Garda, Italy)
Korsar European Championship ~ 1973 (Neuchâtel, Switzerland)
