ABOUT US
Island Sailing was founded in 1979 in Portland, Oregon. Over the years, Island Sailing has grown to over 35 vessels and three locations: Portland, Olympia and Kirkland. Island Sailing's staff of industry professionals build upon the company's 31 years of experience teaching students, operating a sailing club and providing a comprehensive range of services for sailing enthusiasts.
Capt. Jon Prins
Jon Prins was born in Holland on the shores of the North Sea. As a little boy, he loved to play by the water. He was fascinated by boats and had a dream of being a "sea captain". When the family immigrated to the US, there was little opportunity for seafaring dreams in inland California. Little kids' dreams do not die easily, though, and about 35 years ago, he bought a sailboat and taught himself to sail.
Since then he has done extensive sailing in the waters off the coast of Southern California including numerous trips to Catalina and the Channel Islands. He and his wife Cathy sailed south to Mexico and spent a couple of seasons in the Sea of Cortez before heading west to the Hawaiian Islands. From Hawaii, they sailed to the Pacific Northwest where they continue to sail in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.
Jon is a certified ASA sailing instructor up to the Bareboat Charter level and is a USCG licensed captain. He now teaches sailing and manages the Island Sailing Olympia facility.
Since then he has done extensive sailing in the waters off the coast of Southern California including numerous trips to Catalina and the Channel Islands. He and his wife Cathy sailed south to Mexico and spent a couple of seasons in the Sea of Cortez before heading west to the Hawaiian Islands. From Hawaii, they sailed to the Pacific Northwest where they continue to sail in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.
Jon is a certified ASA sailing instructor up to the Bareboat Charter level and is a USCG licensed captain. He now teaches sailing and manages the Island Sailing Olympia facility.
Capt. Alan Somervell
Alan Somervell grew up with a "water family" in Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay, his Dad was a Snipe and Lighting Champion sailor, and his Grandfather and Uncles where Watermen (commercial fishermen). He placed second in his first sailboat race at the age of 8. He has sailed extensively back East on the Bay as well as the Sounds of North Carolina. In 1995, after a career as a 5 star chef, Alan started teaching full time for ISC and became Portland's Fleet Manager, he worked in ISC's boats part-time for a couple of years prior to the birth of one of his two children. He has held a 25 ton Captain's License and is an ASA Certified Instructor (through Bareboat Chartering), First Aid First Response Trained, Boy Scouts of America Lifeguard and Certified Councilor for Rowing, Sailing, Orienteering, Camping and several others. He is also as a Trained Assistant Scout Master.
Larry Brandt
ASA Advanced Coastal Cruising Instructor with special strength as navigator; experienced offshore Washington, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Columbia Bar, Puget Sound waters, Canadian waters. American Sailing Association-certified Advanced Coastal Cruising instructor, Navigation Instructor, Radar Instructor. Certified by both Oregon and Washington to teach their boater education courses. Although no longer flying, holds Airline Transport Pilot License (multi-engine), Commercial Pilot License (single-engine, helicopter and seaplane), with no accidents and no violations. Non-smoker; drug free.
Schmoopy
Schmoopy keeps diligent watch over the Portland fleet while super-servicing all members and students with much love and attention...
Capt. Steve Martin
The sailing bug bit Steve several years ago while commuting in typical heavy afternoon rush hour traffic across the I-90 bridge one hot summer day. While stopped in traffic, he looked out on beautiful Lake Washington, and saw all the sails up and became determined from that time on to learn to sail and "join the fleet"!
After taking several ASA classes, he took the Advanced Coastal Cruising (105) course in the British Virgin Islands and decided shortly thereafter that he wanted to sail there every winter and also become an ASA instructor. In 2004, Steve became certified to teach Basic Keelboat and is now certified to teach Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering. He is a USCG licensed captain and teaches at ISC's Kirkland and Olympia facilities. He also sails the BVIs most every winter. Aargh, matey!
After taking several ASA classes, he took the Advanced Coastal Cruising (105) course in the British Virgin Islands and decided shortly thereafter that he wanted to sail there every winter and also become an ASA instructor. In 2004, Steve became certified to teach Basic Keelboat and is now certified to teach Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering. He is a USCG licensed captain and teaches at ISC's Kirkland and Olympia facilities. He also sails the BVIs most every winter. Aargh, matey!
Capt. Rhys Balmer
coming soon...
Capt. Jay Maurice
Manger of the Kirkland facility and a skilled sailor, Jay is a Pacific Northwest native who grew up in the North end of Seattle. He completed Basic Keelboat sailing and Basic Coastal Cruising at the age of 14, the youngest age at which an individual can be certified with ASA. After joining the Everett Sea Scouts and noticing his strong interest in sailing, his parents purchased a Columbia 26 which they sailed for many years presenting the boat to Jay as a graduation gift from college. Jay still sails the family boat to this day, affectionately called the "Sea Jay" by his mother. Presently Jay is a USCG licensed OUPV captain and certified ASA instructor at the 201 Level. Jay is also the junior camp instructor at the Kirkland facility and spends the majority of his summers on the water instructing the future sailors of tomorrow.
Cathy Prins
coming soon...
Josh Shenkman
coming soon...
De Henderson
coming soon...
Kelle Henderson
coming soon...
Ryan Johnson
coming soon...
Capt. Paul Carlson
coming soon...
Harold Crawford
coming soon...
Capt. John Liable
coming soon...
Paul Sammons
coming soon...