Captain Tony Raleigh is a USCG-master captain and an ASA-certified instructor. He has experience sailing the local waters of Galveston Bay for many years. Tony has participated in offshore overnight regattas and has traveled the Gulf of Mexico to locations including NOAA's Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. He loves the competitiveness of racing, as well as the thrill of being offshore in a strong blow or big seas, while always keeping in mind safety first. He shares his passion for sailing with folks that just want a day on the water to relax or helping those who want to learn the skillsets needed to skipper their own vessel. His chartering style is that of FUN and compassion. He will work with you through your strengths and weaknesses to harness the wind while sailing out on the horizon. And he is always happy to hold onto your belt straps as you look over the leeward side of the boat feeding the fish, never judging but encouraging. He is certified to teach Basic Keelboat, Basic Coastal Cruising, Bareboat Chartering, and Coastal Navigation. Tony won ASA’s Outstanding Instructor Award in 2020.

Captain David Jones is certified to teach Basic Keelboat, Basic Coastal Cruising, Bareboat Chartering and Docking. Capt. David also specializes in teaching Marine Diesel Engine Maintenance.

Captain Nick Hobbs honorably served 11 years in the US Navy as a Petty Officer Second Class (boatswains-mate) attached to an under-sea warfare unit. He then parlayed his Navy experience into securing a USCG Masters license accompanied with both sailing and towing endorsements; Nick is a well-balanced & complete waterman demonstrated by a lifetime of literally being connected to the ocean. He is also an active member of the Texas Outrigger Canoe Club.  Nick actively sails the Texas Coast and the Caribbean, with 2 decades of experience.  He is very well connected in the British Virgin Islands and continues to dedicate time towards helping rebuild the bareboat industry after the devastating tropical storms Irma & Maria.

Captain Reagan Jones (Info coming soon)

Captain Tracy Piercy has been an ASA-certified instructor with both sailing and docking endorsements since 2012. He followed his passion for sailing and in 2014 became an ASA-certified sailing instructor for catamarans. 

Captain Dag Calafell is an ASA-certified instructor and teaches Basic Keelboat, Basic Coastal Cruising, Bareboat Chartering, Coastal Navigation and the Docking Endorsement course.  Captain Dag owns a 2012 Hunter 45 DS and has won many awards in the Lakewood Yacht Club Harvest Moon Regatta, including Best (Fastest) Hunter.  He learned to sail in Long Island and has sailed monohulls and catamarans in the Northeast, Southeast, Gulf of Mexico, California, Venezuela and the Virgin Islands.

Captain Rita Wolfe has been a USCG 100-ton Master Captain with both sailing and docking endorsements since 2001 and an ASA-certified sailing instructor since 2010.  She also holds an STCW Certificate (Standards of Training, Certification and Watckeeping.)  She is bilingual in Spanish and English.

Captain Lori Hefley grew up in the area and on the Galveston Bay. As a 'lil' tot she used to see sailboats pass through the old Kemah drawbridge. In 2011 Lori joined the South Coast Sailing team and she recalls not knowing a sheet from a sail! She has always enjoyed being on the water and her family owned a power boat growing up. However there was something different about sailing that she loved! After collecting more time on the water, she took her captains course in 2016 and became a certified USCG-licensed captain. Later that year she excelled the Instructor Qualification Clinic (ASA 201). “I DID IT” she notes, "..and it's everything I hoped it would be." It is exciting for her to watch students from the first hour of class to the last hour of class and all the AH-HA moments in between! She loves to see that spark of enthusiasm for sailing in others. It is especially exciting when the dolphins swim by to say hi! She loves her new lifestyle and she’s now looking to purchase a sailboat of her own, while continuing to grow her sailing career.

Capt. Lori - Thank you Captain Lucy and South Coast Sailing Adventures for turning this "landlubber" into a sailor, and helping me follow my dreams!

Captain Christopher Curran is a USCG-licensed captain and an ASA-certified sailing instructor.  He learned to sail in the Greek Islands while on holiday.  He really enjoys teaching new sailors discover the joy of being on the water. Captain Christopher is certified to teach Basic Keelboat, Basic Coastal Cruising, and Docking. Captain Christopher is also available for private lessons.  He grew up in London, but has been cruising Galveston Bay for more than 15 years.

To see the rest of our staff, please click here.

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