About Santana Sailing

Santana Sailing was created in 2003 to fulfill Chief Instructor Marc Hughston’s desire to share the things he knows and loves about sailing and sailing instruction with those who are passionate about sailing. We are located in Long Beach, CA in the Rainbow Harbor Marina at Shoreline Village.

“Long Beach is the ideal Southern California sail-training venue. It’s windier, closer to Catalina, and at a better wind angle than any other SoCal harbor. Plus, we have the advantage of miles of open water for training without the congestion of the kayaks, paddle boards, Duffys and party boats. It’s simply the best place to learn.” Marc Hughston, Chief Instructor.

We operate year ‘round and train locally on Catalina 30 and 34 keelboats, and conduct sail training adventures in a variety of locations on catamarans and monohulls ranging from 45 to 52 feet in length. The best way to advance your sailing skill and experience is to learn with someone who knows what you want to know, has been where you want to go, and can answer questions you didn’t know enough to ask – that’s how we do it.

Our Team

Captain Marc Hughston

Santana Sailing Founder and Chief Instructor

– US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master
– American National Standards Instructor/Assessor
– Skipper Small Keelboat and Skipper (Large Keelboat) Instructor/Assessor
– Bareboat Charter Master Chief Instructor/Assessor
– SLC Instructor/Assessor

Read Captain Marc’s student reviews »

I am fortunate to have figured out that my purpose in life is to share the things I know and love with those who appreciate them. In the world of sailing, that means helping you to improve your competence and confidence whether you are brand new to sailing, a seasoned sailing instructor, or somewhere in between.

I had my first sailing lesson on the island of Moorea at age 14, and I now have over 2,400 days on the water. this is my 24th year as a sailing and cruising instructor, and I have benefitted from amazing mentors. While I have taught for ASA and US Sailing schools, I am most proud to be a NauticEd instructor trainer.

Giving you a shortcut to the most effective skills and seamanship practices while we visit the most sought-after sailing destinations is what I love to do. Come and learn the ropes, and become a better sailor. We are going to have a great time!

Captain Alex DeShazer

Sailing Instructor / Assessor

I grew up in Newport Beach, CA and developed a love for sailing at a young age while helping family friends cruise their boats around the southern Pacific waters, especially Catalina. Over the past three decades, I have been continuously learning and improving my skills as a sailor. Currently, I hold a US Coast Guard 100 Ton Captains license with a sailing endorsement, an American National Standards NauticEd Instructor, an ASA instructor, and a NAUI scuba instructor.

Based in Southern California, I have served as the VP of Instruction for the South Coast Sailing Team in Dana Point, CA, where I was responsible for overseeing the instructors, courses, and overall sailing program. Additionally, I have been a Captain of a 60’ luxury catamaran sailing yacht, whale watching Captain on a 55’ sailing catamaran, and owner/operator of American Dive Institute on the East Coast. My passion for sailing extends beyond my professional career. I am committed to making sailing accessible to all.

Captain Roger Hudson

Sailing Instructor / Assessor

Read Captain Roger’s student reviews »

I started out sailing at 16 years old by buying a home built 12′ sloop. Over the years have owned 6 boats and sailed OPB (other peoples boats) for many years. Some highlights are sailing from Hawaii to Dana Point on a 54′ Morgan center cockpit (three weeks at sea), racing from Newport to Ensenada (4 times), and crewing on two historic schooners, Kelpie and Curlew. Both built in the 1920’s and 82′ long.

I love to share sailing with people and have done teaching at Aventura Sailing Assoc. I am known for my patience and calm demeanor onboard. Sailing is in my blood and teaching is my pleasure.

Captain Maureen Vild

Sailing Instructor / Assessor

– US Coast Guard 50 Ton Master
– American National Standards Instructor/Assessor
– Skipper Small Keelboat and Skipper (Large Keelboat) Instructor/Assessor
– Bareboat Charter Master instructor
– SLC Instructor/Assessor
– ASA 201, 203 Instructor

Read Captain Maureen’s student reviews »

The most common feedback I received from my students is “You are so calm and explain things in a simple manner to where it is easily understood. I believe though, that the experience of “doing” in many cases outweighs the explanation.

My focus is to empower first, educate second. Bring each student to a place of complete competence. More importantly, it’s all about the experience, and to have fun along with the feeling of accomplishing something beyond expectations. Lastly, to anticipate with excitement about the next time on the water.

Captain Lynn Thompson

Sailing Instructor / Assessor

– US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master
– American National Standards Instructor/Assessor
– Skipper Small Keelboat and Skipper (Large Keelboat) Instructor/Assessor

Read Captain Thompson’s student reviews »

I love the feeling of being on the water and teaching others to be passionate and confident on their boats and on charters.

Training & Certification

Training with Santana Sailing is unique in that we focus on helping you achieve your personal sailing goals. Training is limited to at most 4 students, meaning that each student receives instruction needed to become competent – tailored to each student’s goals and past experience.

NauticEd - 21st Century Sailing Education We partner with NauticEd because of NauticEd’s commitment to U.S. and International standards as well as a shared training philosophy that’s focused on student goals and competency – gained from knowledge, skills, and experience. With best-of-class multimedia online courses, professional sailing relationships around the world, and standards that exceed USGC requirements: we partnered with NauticEd to offer our students the best resources and global community available in modern sailing.

Training You Can Trust

Our Commitment to Your Sailing Competence: We really want you to have the skills - we know that you do too. So when you continue training with us through Skipper Large Keelboat level, you will be ready to charter a boat on your own or we’ll invite you back for more training, free of charge. That’s our commitment.

See all the details at Commitment To Sailing Competence. Limitations apply.

American National Standard - Sail

Our training methodology meets the U.S. Coast Guard's prescribed On-Water Recreational Boating Skills Standard – SAIL, the newly released 2017 American National Standard for on-water instruction in entry-level recreational sailboat operation.

Professional Sailing Instruction

Santana Sailing's instructors are extraordinarily well-qualified: experienced, mature, trained to American National and International Standards, and assessed to the highest standards and expectations in recreational sailing.

Trust through verification: please feel welcome to read Santana Sailing's student reviews ›

NauticEd - 21st Century Sailing Education

NauticEd Flagship School

Santana Sailing offers fully-accredited NauticEd Training and Certification. NauticEd is the international leader in sailing education and certification, which affords our students the best educational resources and certification in the United States as well as abroad when sailing internationally.

4 Easy Steps to Start Sail Training

Start by registering for a course date - or discuss your sailing goals with Santana Sailing

Contact Santana Sailing to register for a course, or discuss your sailing goals, past training and experience - so that we can tailor the training to you!

Begin the NauticEd online knowledge-theory courses immediately!

Online knowledge-theory courses have been proven in education and business to be more effective than traditional means, and NauticEd's online courses are best-in-class in sailing. A big advantage is that you can begin immediately, giving you more time to prepare and most importantly more time to train and sail on the water with Santana Sailing!

On-the-Water Sailing & Training

Santana Sailing's on-the-water training is focused on the application of knowledge-theory and skills building. The training is unique in that Santana Sailing's instruction is focused on developing competency and confidence, and approach that gives each student not only personalized attention but hands-on sailing experience in a variety of roles and responsibilities.

Assessment & Certification

Certification is optional and includes a thorough assessment of the students skills, safety and overall competence for each level - using a Rubrics system that keeps the assessment transparent and objective. Typically Santana Sailing assesses during the training and while instructing, but students can request to be assessed separately for any certification.