Oliver Gildersleeve
Oliver grew up amid the 18th and 19th century ship half-hull models that his father withdrew from the Mystic Marine Museum's exhibit on his family's Connecticut River shipyard. His first sailing was in Hyde Park, London. After returning to the US, he qualified in sailing at Pasquaney, a New Hampshire summer camp. He and his wife took classes at Annapolis Sailing School, and he chartered on San Francisco Bay a few times when enabled by business trips here.
Relocating to Palo Alto, Oliver's wife found among his family's old books, a pamphlet mentioning the discovery of the DePeyster islands in 1819. (Oliver's middle name is DePeyster.) She suggested, as a family experience, they locate the islands and go. After five years preparation, they bought a 47' ketch in Hawaii and renamed the boat for Captain DePeyster's brigantine. They withdrew from school for a year their children, aged 11, 13 and 15. After 5,000 miles they arrived at the islands, now called Tuvalu close by the equator and International Date Line.
After docking in San Francisco, they sold the ketch, and Oliver started teaching sailing. The start of 2004 marks his 20th year teaching on the Bay and his 5th season with Club Nautique. During that time he has certified over 600 persons. Oliver has chartered in the Caribbean, Baltic, and Mediterranean.
In addition to sailing, Oliver teaches a graduate course in Project Management.
SPECIALS
"Basic Cruising Skippers Course"
Special Package
Basic Keelboat Certification = $895
Basic Cruising Certification = $1095
Bay Cruising Workshop = $75
On year US SAILING Membership = $60
Plus! Rugged West Marine
Foul Weather Gear! = $238*
PLUS! Membership Included! = $695
Total Package Value = $3200!
ONLY $1,595!
Offer good through 3/31/2012