Steve Matles | Modern Sailing

Steve Matles

Instructor

Steve began sailing as a summer camper at age ten. At 15 he had a 19-foot Flying Scot sailboat on the reservoirs of Oklahoma. In 1981 he moved to Reno, NV and began his teaching career at Lake Tahoe, then working for Modern Sailing while on a job assignment in San Rafael. Steve holds a US Coast Guard 100 Ton license with Sailing endorsement.  As an ASA instructor, he is qualified to teach almost all courses up to ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising. Additionally, Steve holds a Royal Yachting Association Yachtmaster-Offshore certificate. His log has passages on Lake Superior, Gulf of Mexico, California Coast, Caribbean, Scotland and England. He recently crossed the English Channel.   Steve is a retired Healthcare Safety Officer and Disaster Manager. “I might be slightly risk-adverse,” he tells his students as he emphasizes the need for safety in all aspects of sailing. However, “I want to create a safe-space for students to allow them to make mistakes so they can learn first-hand. Direct experience is a great teacher.” 

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  • 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.

  • Mike, Santa Rosa, California

    All of the courses and my instructors (JT and Stan) were extremely professional and full of knowledge and experience. I found I was able to learn from their experiences beyond the scope of the courses, and look forward to future opportunities to do so. I would highly recommend Modern Sailing to anyone.

  • 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 Kratochvil, Oregon

    I would like to compliment Stan Lander for his coaching, counseling and teaching Heavy Weather Offshore Sailing. Stan was very accommodating to all of the student's interests and shared his many years of insight on handling the boat in heavy seas. I would certainly recommend Stan and this course to sheltered waters sailors. My confidence in handling a boat of this size was certainly enhanced by the experience.

  • Ray Arceneaux

    The vessel was clean and in fine condition - very nice boat for training, well-equipped.

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Modern Sailing School & Club

Sausalito Location
2310 Marinship Way, Sausalito
(415) 331-8250
(800) 995-1668

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1 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley
(415) 331-8250
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