Martin is back from cruising and instructing in the Virgin Islands. Sacramento classes have resumed !!

 

Martin was born and raised in San Francisco. Even though he was a city kid, he has always loved the outdoors and athletics. As a teen he worked for a beekeeper during the summers, played football in the fall and competed in track and field in the spring and even made the honor roll!

He has held a number of leadership positions: Captain of his football team, Sergeant in the Green Berets, Sales Manager in various radio and TV stations, professional white water river guide including a season in the Grand Canyon. Now he owns and operates his own sailing school. As Martin says, “I've been able to make my vocation and avocation one and the same.”

I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time. Jack London 1876-1916

A passionate man with a love for sailing. Martin feels that he is giving his students a gift that they will keep and use the rest of their lives. He has worked very hard on his teaching skills so that he is able to impart his knowledge and experience in an easy to understand manner. With discussion and demonstration that students find to be clear and concise. Martin has the patience and understanding that it takes to give a student all the necessary instructions to facilitate their becoming a safe confident skipper. Martin is currently a member of American Sailing Association (ASA), US Sailing,  the Catalina 22 National Association and Fleet 4. He also holds a current Red Cross First Aid and CPR certification.

First boat the Sunfish (1975)

Flying the hull of the Hobie at Rancho Seco (1976) photo courtesy of Stan Atkinson

Rafting the whitewater of the South Fork of the American River with Mother Martha and son Ted.  Wow! Mom sure had fun that day!! (1988) photo courtesy of Rapid Shooters

 

Martin bought his first Catalina 22 in 1977 and still owns the same boat. He started the school in 1989 with one boat and has purchased additional C-22's as the school has grown. He also has a Capri 18', Capri 14.2', Montgomery 10', two kayaks and two rowing sculls.

Martin is an American Sailing Association Certified Instructor for Bare boat Chartering, Basic Coastal Cruising, Basic Keelboat, and Small boat/Multi Hulls.

During a recent interview Martin was asked: “Martin you've been made to walk the plank, been keel hauled, hung from the yard arms, gotten hundreds of lashes, clapped in irons, spent months in the brig with nothing but bread and water, marooned on a deserted island, denied shore leave in Tahiti and worst of all lost your ration of grog. Why on earth did you become a sailor?”, “That’s easy”, Martin said, “NO PAPER WORK!”

 

“Sometimes the question is the answer”
Martin W. Dunn, As Told to His Son

 

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