Outstanding American Sailing Instructors

American Sailing's Outstanding Instructors

This award honors the top 1% percent of all active status ASA Instructors as determined by surveys that are submitted by their students. The process by which the Outstanding Instructors are determined is algorithmic, derived by the number of surveys sent to students, the number of surveys completed and submitted by students, and the Instructor's average rating across all submitted surveys.

Outstanding Instructors for 2023

Of the 2,566 Instructors in 2023 who had active status, 943 taught at least one ASA class and thereby became eligible for this ASA Award. The top 30 are listed below, representing 28 cities across 16 states and 3 countries. Congratulations to you all.
Jeremy ElwellPanama City, FL, USA

Outstanding Instructor Archive

2022
Cara BrownBritish Virgin Islands
Jeremy ElwellPanama City, FL, USA
Mark GonsalvesIndialantic, FL, USA
A star icon indicates that 2022 was the first time the instructor won the award
2020
Craig Beimgraben
Spring, Texas
Lance Botthof
San Diego, California
Philip Brittain
Punta Gorda, Florida
Michael Brown
Newtown, Pennsylvania
David Burch
Seattle, Washington
John Carlson
Brooklyn, New York
Joseph Cetner                 
Cape Coral, Florida                      
Alexis Christofi
Strovolos, Cyprus  
Mihai Cosereanu
St. Augustine, Florida
Jason Cox
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Doran Cushing
Austin, Texas
Richard Dawson
Waxahachie, Texas
Christopher DeHart
St. Augustine, Florida
Brian Earl
Wilmette, Illinois
Jeremy Elwell
Panama City, Florida
John Ensley
Vancouver, Washington
Alexander Leo Gaskell
Lexington, Massachusetts
Joan Gilmore
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Ken Hogrefe
Seabrook, Texas
Michael Hoye
Heath, Texas
Timothy Jenne
Sequim, Washington
Edd Jennings
St. Petersburg, Florida
Rick Johnson
Clearwater Beach, Florida
James Kell
Tiburon, California
William Lemex
Kemah, Texas
James Marvin
St. Petersburg, Florida
Christopher May
Key West, Florida
Rob McAdams
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Daniel McCoy
Seabrook, Texas
Barnard Meyer
Tavernier, Florida
Jose Miranda
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Bogdan Niculescu
Hermosa Beach, California
George Norwood
Riverview, Florida
Kyle Parrott
Charleston, South Carolina
Tony Raleigh
League City, Texas
Paul Sullivan
Haverhill, Massachusetts
William Sutherland
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Joel Taylor
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Bartholomew Timm
Webster, Texas
Tibor Van den Wildenbergh
Denver, Colorado
Richard Van Loon
Shrewsbury, New Jersey
Jennifer Wirth
Miami, Florida
2019

Lance Botthof
San Diego, California

Yonatan Bresler
Tel Aviv, Israel

Philip Brittain
Punta Gorda, Florida

Sterling Bryson
Charleston, South Carolina

Alexis Christofi
Strovolos, Cyprus

Richard Darmanin
San Diego, California

Michael Dye
Saint George’s, Grenada

Angela Goodwin
Long Beach, California

Robert Hulett
Maple Falls, Washington

 Edd Jennings
Saint Petersburg, Florida

Jon Jones
Houston, Texas

James Kell
Tiburon, California

Chris Lower
Corpus Christi, Texas

James Marvin
Saint Petersburg, Florida

Christopher May
Wellington, Florida

Jose Miranda
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Duane Moran
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Randy Mullis
Miami, Florida

Clint Najera
La Mesa, California

George Norwood
Riverview, Florida

Michael Poole
Seattle, Washington

Robert Portmann
Denver, Colorado

David Price
Longboat Key, Florida

Geza Sinkovics
Los Angeles, California

Paul Sullivan
Haverhill, Massachusetts

Joel Taylor
Thunder Bay, Ontario

Bartholomew Timm
Webster, Texas

Richard Van Loon
Shrewsbury, New Jersey

Arno Von Waltsleben
Long Beach, Washington

Jennifer Wirth
Miami, Florida

Elliot Zimmerman
Los Angeles, California

2018

Francois Asselin
Weymouth, Massachusetts

Andy Berry
San Diego, California

Mark Brown
Anacortes, Washington

Michael Brown
Newtown, Pennsylvania

Alexis Christofi
Strovolos, Cyprus

James Cook
Denver, Colorado

Keith Cooper
Hackensack, New Jersey

Doran Cushing
Austin, Texas

Richard Dawson
Waxahachie, Texas

Michael Dye
Saint George’s, Grenada

Angela Goodwin
Long Beach, California

Debbie Graham
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Lenox Grasso
Marina del Rey, California

Chuck Hashbarger
Los Angeles, California

Michael Hoye
Heath, Texas

Robert Hulett
Maple Falls, Washington

Timothy Jenne
Sequim, Washington

Jon Jones
Houston, Texas

Gregory Martin
Honolulu, Hawaii

James Marvin
Saint Petersburg, Florida

Jose Miranda
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Duane Moran
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Donald Rock
Oceanside, California

Charles Rolling
Brooklyn, New York

James Slater
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Paul Sullivan
Marblehead, Massachusetts

Al Van Dyke
Cedaridge, Colorado

Richard Van Loon
Shrewsbury, New Jersey

Arno Von Waltsleben
Long Beach, Washington

Robert Williams
Phuket, Thailand

Jennifer Wirth
Miami, Florida

2017

Randolph Altermatt
Seward, Alaska

Francois Asselin
Weymouth, Massachusetts

Anderson Barnes
Panama City, Florida

Yonatan Bresler
Tel Aviv, Israel

James Cook
Denver, Colorado

Doran Cushing
Austin, Texas

Richard Dawson
Waxahachie, Texas

John Drake
Amelia Island, Florida

Chuck Hashbarger
Los Angeles, California

Kyle Hirsh
San Diego, California

Ken Hogrefe
Seabrook, Texas

Jon Jones
Houston, Texas

James King
Wiggins, Mississippi

Stanley Lander
Novato, California

William Lemex
Kemah, Texas

Chris Lower
Corpus Christi, Texas

Christopher May
Wellington, Florida

Jaye Melanson
Fort Pierce, Florida

Mark Merritt
Santa Cruz, California

Gerald Miller
Zirconia, North Carolina

Duane Moran
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Loren Newton
Traverse City, Michigan

Robert Portman
Sun Lakes, Arizona

Michael Rice
Tacoma, Washington

James Slater
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Lloyd Tracy Spinney
West Palm Beach, Florida

Clint Sutter
Peoria, Arizona

Rob Swain, Jr.
Little Compton, Rhode Island

Richard Van Loon
Little Silver, New Jersey

Arno Von Waltsleben
Saint Petersburg, Florida

Jennifer Wirth
Miami, Florida

Elliot Zimmerman
Los Angeles, California

2016
James Ashton
Boston, MA

Mike Bandera
Bayville, NJ

John Bell
Bristol, RI

Lance Botthof
San Diego, CA

Phinehas Bowen
Friendship, MD

Ralph Bush
Punta Gorda, FL

Gary Cannon
St. Petersburg, FL

Jeffrey Carlsen
Lexington Park, MD

Joe Cetner
Cape Coral, FL

Bob Diamond
San Jose, CA

Genevieve Evans
Polson, MT

Lisa Frailey
Dowell, MD

Richard G. Hamm
Naples, FL

Steve Hill
San Rafael, CA

Kevin Klinges
Mt. Pleasant, SC

Chuck Lane
Mission Viejo, CA

Bill Learn
Edwardsville, IL

Jennifer MacLean
Tavernier, FL

DJ McCabe
Sanford, FL

Len Molloy
Black Canyon, AZ

Tony Monceaux
St. Petersburg, FL

John Mulligan Gig Harbor, WA

Frank Mummert
Green Cove Springs, FL

Christopher Owczarek
Sunnyvale, CA

Lee Pearce
San Diego, CA

David Pregeant
Sunnyvale, CA

Mike Rice
Tacoma, WA

Roy Rogers
Silver Spring, MD

Joshua Ross
Newport Beach, CA

Leslie Senn
Auburn, WA

Bryan Smith
Traverse City, MI

Paul Sullivan
Haverhill, MA

Tim Taylor
Leander, TX

Arthur Vandervelde
Shelton, WA
2015
Don Boccuti
Rock Hall MD

Carla Brown
Coppell TX

Ralph Bush
Gulf Breeze FL

David Carlson
Newport Beach CA

Gale Carlson
Eldon MO

Joe Cetner
Abacos Bahamas

Bob Diamond
San Jose CA

Jack Dusendschon
St. Petersburg FL

Heather Funkhouser
Mill Valley CA

Mark Gonsalves
Abacos Bahamas

Alan Hauch
Abacos Bahamas

Ronald Henderson
Chesterfield MI

Kevin Hennessey
Southport NC

Matthew Holt
Cruz Bay VI

James R. Johnson
Shorewood MN

James R. King, Jr.
Wiggins MS

Mike Kohl
Huntington Beach CA

Brenton S. Lochridge
Marblehead MA

Robert McCreary
San Francisco CA

Michael Rice
Tacoma WA

James Riddle
Grand Rivers KY

Barney Riley, Jr.
St. Simons Island GA

Andrew Skelton
Perkiomenville PA

Amy Skillman
Harrisburg PA

Kathy Struchen
Gulf Breeze FL

Tim Vandenheuvel
Burlington WA

Kimberly Walther
Palatka FL

David Whidden
Key West FL

Andrea Wilson
Deale MD

Cliff Wilson
Colfax CA
2014

Michael E. Anderson
Bellingham WA

Andrew B. Bachelor
Dowell MD

Michael R. Blubaugh
San Diego CA

Peter S. Branning
Christiansted VI

Yonatan Bresler
Tel-Aviv Israel

Joseph C. Cetner
Cape Coral FL

Pamela S. Coffee
Cieba PR

Bob Diamond
San Jose CA

Lisa B. Frailey
Dowell MD

Matthew Holt
Cruz Bay VI

Judy A. James
Cumming GA

James R. King, Jr.
Wiggins MS

Gary F. Klopf
Columbia MD

Steve J. Klump
Eatonville WA

Robert M. Lawnsby
Barrington RI

Brenton S. Lochridge
Marblehead MA

John D. Martin
Beaver Island MI

William S. Miller
Charleston SC

Leonard J. Northrop
Bellingham WA

Lee H. Pearce
San Diego CA

Audrey W Rosenberg
Bayville NJ

Chet Shubert
Fort Myers FL

Andrew Skelton
Perkiomenville PA

James C. Stewart
Racine WI

Paul E. Sullivan
Salem MA

Timothy M. Taylor
Leander TX

Robert G. Vance
Sun City Center FL

Gary Wall
St. Petersburg FL

Marianne Wheeler
Sebastopol CA

ShaoFu Yen
Shanghai China

2013
Andrew B. Batchelor Dowell, MD
Alan C. Brabon Folsom,
L. Donald Boccuti Rock Hall, MD
Yonatan Bresler Los Angeles, CA
Roger A. Bublitz Clinton, WA
David P. Carlson Newport, CA
Bob Diamond San Jose, CA
Jack Dusendschon Largo, FL
Kevin R. Foley Kemah, TX
Lisa B. Frailey Dowell ,MD
Matthew Holt Cruz Bay, VI
Michael J. Kohl Huntington Beach, CA
Brenton S. Lochridge Marblehead, MA
Laurence R. McKay Wilmington, DE
Matthew C. Merrill Honolulu, HI
David W. Mowrer Kirkland, WA
Lea Obermeyer Little Rock, AR
Lee H. Pearce San Diego, CA
John D. Rider N. Richland Hills, TX
Barney Riley Jr. St. Simons Island, GA
Audrey W. Rosenberg Bayville, NJ
Jose Sanchez-Rolon Carolina, PR
Robert D. Seifers Pt. Richmond, CA
Charles D. Sharp Jr. Pearland, TX
Frank J. Silver South Pasadena, FL
Donald L. Snyder Portland, PA
John H. Sporck, Jr. Lennox, MA
James C. Stewart Racine, WI
Gary R. Thomas Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Arthur D. vanderVelde Tacoma, WA
2012
  • Andrew B. Batchelor
  • Yonatan Bresler
  • Michael G. Brown
  • Anthony L. Coia
  • L. Donald Boccuti
  • Bob Diamond
  • Michael J. Delaney
  • Dennis F. Farr
  • Lisa B. Frailey
  • Tim J. Geisler
  • Alan C. Hauch
  • Kevin D. Hennessey
  • Matthew Holt
  • Ronald J. Johanson
  • Michael J. Kohl
  • Stanley Joe Lander
  • Brenton S. Lochridge
  • Donald R. Locke
  • Jennifer MacLean
  • Anthony (Tony) Medunic
  • Gerald B. Miller
  • David A. Montgomery
  • Michael J. Roach
  • Richard E. Robey
  • Roy E. Rogers
  • Ronald I. Rose
  • William A. Simpson
  • Steven H. Stanley
  • John H. Struchen
  • David P. Williams
2011
  • Roy H. Adcock
  • Andrew B. Batchelor
  • K. Lance Botthof
  • Frank W. Brauch
  • Yonatan Bresler
  • Roger C. Buenzow
  • Christopher M. Day
  • Tracey Lee Dell
  • Brian A. Earl
  • Lisa B. Frailey
  • Richard D. Fitzpatrick
  • Tim J. Geisler
  • Christopher J. Larsen
  • Brian G. Latas
  • Robert M. Lansby
  • Scott A. Litster
  • Brenton S. Lochridge
  • Edana Long
  • Anthony (Tony) Medunic
  • Peeter Must
  • Arthur J. H. Osborn
  • John D. Rider
  • Mary Ross
  • Edward C. Shires Jr.
  • Jeffery W. Stine
  • Larry D. Strait
  • John H. Struchen
  • Kathy C. Struchen
  • F. Lee Tucker
  • Richard C. Van Sleen
2010
  • Harlin D. Allen
  • Andrew B. Batchelor
  • Michael E. Clark
  • Anthony L. Coia
  • Mihai C. Cosereanu
  • Gerard T. Flannelly
  • Matthew Robert Holt
  • Dick Joe Jackson
  • Michael J. Kohl
  • Robert V. Kriegel
  • Stanley Joe Lander
  • Christopher J. Larsen
  • George J. Lewis
  • Brenton S. Lochridge
  • Jennifer MacLean
  • William J. McBride, Jr.
  • John Thomas Meade
  • William S. Miller
  • Peter M. Must
  • Lee H. Pearce
  • Anthony D. Pizzuti
  • James C. Riddle
  • Kenneth L. Roach
  • Audrey W Rosenberg
  • Leslie Senn
  • Edward C. Shires, Jr.
  • Randall F. Sparks
  • Karl Szilagyi
  • Richard C. Van Sleen
  • Peter A. Wodraska
2009
  • Andrew B. Batchelor
  • Michael Bandera
  • Michael R. Blubaugh
  • Michael G. Brown
  • Lisa B. Frailey
  • Brigg Franklin
  • Michael G. Hirlinger
  • Michael B. Hoye
  • Daniel Knierien
  • Stanley Joe Lander
  • Brenton S. Lochridge
  • Jennifer MacLean
  • John Thomas Meade
  • William S. Miller
  • Nicholas A. Monastra
  • Peeter M. Must
  • Pat A. Nolan
  • James V. Palmer
  • Robert Patroni
  • Roger A. Philips
  • Audrey W. Rosenberg
  • Dan Ryder
  • Francis L. Shiman-Hackett
  • Edward C. Shires, Jr.
  • Randall F. Sparks
  • John H. Sporck, Jr.
  • Larry D. Strait
  • James C. Stewart
  • John H. Struchen
  • Marianne Wheeler
2008
  • David Bello
  • Raymond (Tim) Benson
  • Roger C. Buenzow
  • Anthony L. Coia
  • Brigg Franklin
  • Melvin L. Froehlich
  • John T. Hagood
  • Gary R. Haskins
  • Michael G. Hirlinger
  • Tony L. Jones
  • Marla J. Keith
  • Jeffery F. Lagrew
  • Ralph Lamb
  • Fredric A. Leedy
  • Scott A. Lister
  • Gardner R. Lloyd Jr.
  • Logan M. McDuffey
  • William S. Miller
  • Nicholas A. Monastra
  • Gary S. Nichols
  • Roger A. Philips
  • James C. Riddle
  • Dan Ryder
  • Edward C. Shires Jr.
  • Brad Sindle
  • John H. Struchen
  • Paul Taylor
  • Richard C. Van Sleen
  • Charles S. Weaver
  • Peter A. Wodraska
2007
  • Andrew Batchelor
  • Patrick Brehm
  • Robert Coolican
  • Steve Damm
  • Bob Diamond
  • Anthony Coia
  • Anthony Igar
  • Douglas Keith Jackson
  • E.J. Koford
  • Bruce Liese
  • Chip Lohman
  • Michael Monastra
  • Nicholas Monastra
  • Peeter Must
  • Bruce Palmenberg
  • Lee Pearce
  • Charles Points
  • Michael Roach
  • William Sigmund
  • Amy Elizabeth Skillman
  • Robert Sawyer
  • Edward Shires
  • Donald Stokes
  • John Struchen
  • Paul Taylor
  • Mark Tompkins
  • Thomas Tursi
  • Richard Van Sleen
  • Chris Winter
  • Peter Wodraska
2006
  • Anthony Coia
  • Steve Damm
  • Bob Diamond
  • Frank Dixon
  • Monte Froehlich
  • Debbie Graham
  • Michael Hirlinger
  • Andy Hollingsworth
  • Tom Landers
  • Steve Lineberry
  • Logan McDuffey
  • Nick Monstra
  • Bob Morgan
  • Peter Must
  • Lucy Newman
  • Lee Pearce
  • Ed Polkenhorn
  • Barney Riley
  • Ron Rose
  • Ed Shires
  • Brad Sindle
  • Suzette Smith
  • Dan Spyhalski
  • Leslie Steinkoenig
  • Jim Thompson
  • Rick Van Sleen
  • Bob Wagner
  • Ted Wheeler
  • Dave Williams
  • Tommy Williams