Michael Hamilton
I have always loved the ocean and water in general. Ten years ago, I walked onto the RSC dock and told the dock master that I wanted to learn how to sail. I fell in love with it and became active in the Center, first as a Red Cross Basic Sailing Instructor, and then Vice President, President, and now US Sailing Small Boat and US Sailing Basic Keelboat instructor.
Additionally, I have taken a number of courses in seamanship and recently received my U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s license.
I own a J24 racing sloop and placed 2nd overall in the 2015 Kirkland Summer Sailing Series. I look forward to helping you discover the fun of sailing.
John Padgett
As a kid, I remember going sailing with some family friends and taking the Small Boat Sailing Merit Badge at Scout camp on a Sunfish. I was inspired to learn more after sailing with friends on Lake Union and Puget Sound and decided to sign up for a sailing course with my wife. Ever since, I have been sailing whenever I can, sharing sailing with friends and family, cruising, racing, and taking additional training.
I am a US Sailing Small Boat Level 3 and Basic Keelboat Sailing Instructor, 50 Ton Master Merchant Mariner, as well as a Scouting America Small Boat Sailing Merit Badge Counselor. I look forward to helping you discover the exciting world of sailing!
Mike Jarvis
I learned to sail dinghies while in college, and after some years away
from the sport, returned to it some time later. I now enjoy sailing dinghies as well as cruising and racing keel boats with friends.
If you have any questions about the course feel free to contact me below.
Eric Wolak
Growing up, I barely touched water. I was a very late swimmer (imagine being 12 years old at the “Water Babies” swim school!), not into water sports, and mostly terrified of the Pacific Ocean. After moving to Seattle, I started getting curious about all the water around us, starting with paddleboarding. That soon turned into sailing at RSC, and now I can’t get enough of it.
You’ll find me on the dock almost every weekend, whether it’s teaching, dockmastering, or just sailing for the thrill of it. RSC is a fantastic community, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it.
Don Pearson
I learned to sail back in the 70s when I moved to Houston after college. The weather was great for nearly year-round sailing in dinghies! After sailing dinghies for a long time, my wife convinced me to move up to the keelboat class and in 2013, we bought a
37’ Jeanneau sailboat. We raced it on weekends and in the annual Texas Harvest Moon regatta in October down the Texas coast. While in Texas, I also led a 501(c)(3) organization devoted to adult education in sailing, very similar to what the Renton Sailing Club does.
I have been a US Sailing Small Boat Sailing Instructor since 2012,
and continue to enjoy teaching others the basics (and physics!) of sailing.
Rebekah Padgett
I have always loved being on and around the water but didn’t know that sailing was accessible and affordable until I took a keelboat class several years ago and later joined the Renton Sailing Center. Since then, I have sailed on Lake Washington, Puget Sound, the Caribbean, and from California to French Polynesia. I am so excited to be able to share my passion for sailing as a US Sailing Basic Keelboat Instructor, particularly with women and people of color.
If you have any questions about RSC or how to get started in sailing, I would love to hear from you.
Tyler Wilson
When I was growing up, I started sailing Optimists on Lake Ontario near Rochester, NY. I sailed throughout my youth, but got out of sailing when I went to college. In 2018 I took a Basic Keelboat class at RSC, and I’ve been thrilled to be under sail again.
Since then, I have enjoyed getting involved at RSC, and being on the water whenever I can get a chance to. I’m excited to be a US Sailing small boat instructor, and look forward to sailing with you!
Brian Casserly
I learned to sail in 2013 after I stopped by the Renton Sailing Center dock to ask about lessons. The folks there were really welcoming and encouraging and I took the small boat sailing class from RSC and I’ve been sailing ever since.
I try to get out on the water as often as I can and I’ve focused on trying to improve my sailing skills and having fun on a range of boats from dinghies to keelboats. If you’re thinking about learning to sail, go for it and sign up for a class!