Meet Our Sailing School Instructors!
Experience the islands like a local with our team of professional sailing school instructors who enjoy sharing that experience with you.
We require our instructors to be United States Coast Guard licensed instructors or RYA Yacht Masters as well as American Sailing Association certified for each level they teach. Each is patient, knowledgeable, and professional.
Chris Rundlett
As the son of a son of a sailor, Chris began his first sailing adventure while his dad was stationed in North Dakota with the U.S. Coast Guard. Finding an abandoned little Sunfish and restoring it, he set sail on his own at 13. Since then, he dreamed of bigger horizons and sailed whenever he got the chance. In 2005, Chris says, "I decided to stop dreaming my life and start living my dream!”
He now teaches sailing, works as a delivery captain and owns a sailing school (LTD Sailing). He has a passion for all things sailing including racing sailboats.
In 2014, he became a yacht broker when he realized he spent most of his free time messing about in boats anyway. His certifications include: USCG captain, instructor for ASA 101, 103, 104, 105, 106 & 114.
Chris says “I really love taking people out on the water to share my passion for sailing and the cruising lifestyle. It’s wonderful to see that ‘a-ha’ moment when everything comes together!”
Jon Totten
Jon learned to sail on the inland waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene in North Idaho. His 20 years of experience as a guide and outdoor educator have taken him all over the American West, the San Juan Islands, New Zealand, and now the Caribbean.
Before joining LTD Sailing, Jon spent 12 years as an instructor at North Idaho College, where he coordinated the Outdoor Pursuits program and instructed courses in: outdoor leadership, wilderness medicine, navigation, sailing, whitewater rafting and kayaking, avalanche safety, and swiftwater rescue.
Jon’s passion in life is sharing his love for the outdoors and teaching his favorite subject – sailing! When he’s not cruising around the Grenadines, Jon enjoys working as a whitewater raft guide in Idaho, visiting his home farm in Wisconsin, and playing his harmonica around the campfire.
His certifications include: USCG 50 ton Master; ASA Instructor: 101, 103, 104, 105, 106 & 114; Bachelor’s degree in Resource Recreation & Tourism and Master’s degree in Adult & Organizational Leadership from the University of Idaho.
Jon says: “Mastering the art of harnessing the wind to take you places is a lifelong journey. Let’s go for a ride together!”
RJ Portmann
In 2012, RJ started formulating his “Zero to Hero” plan during his first sailing class in the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest with his instructor, Chris Rundlett. Not long after that, he sold almost everything he owned and moved to the Virgin Islands.
Never losing sight of the dream, he ran a sailing charter boat and was able to earn his U.S. Coast Guard license. Chris called him to help deliver a boat from Antigua to New York, solidifying RJ’s love for sailing. Chris called again but this time it was for his dream job – sailing and instructing in paradise!
He avidly pursued his ASA instructors certifications and moved to Grenada. Not bad for a guy who grew up in landlocked Fairbanks, Alaska!
RJ spends his summers teaching sailing in Seattle, visiting family and friends. Of course, DMB & Grizz football are always on the schedule.
Certifications: USCG OUPV Licensed, USCG STCW, Instructor for ASA 101, 103, 104, 105 & 114.
RJ says ”Go. Seek. Do. Your life is out there waiting for you, but it will not wait forever.”
Jenni Hellpap
Jenni wants to go sailing!
She started out by taking classes with us, then started working in the office, and is now a sailing instructor.
Jenni plans on buying a boat and beginning her own adventures exploring the world one day.
Grace Pytell
Just back from sailing America’s Great Loop, Grace has joined us in Grenada as a sailing instructor and captain.
This is a perfect opportunity to merge her love of sailing, boat life, and teaching.
Grace says: “Every day that I get to teach and sail is a great one, and there’s no greater gift than being able to share that with our students. If you’re dreaming of an island-hopping sailing escape this winter, you know where to look!”
Mike Harrington
Mike is a world traveler hailing from Ireland.
Before coming to Grenada, he worked teaching sailing in the BVI until it was destroyed.
Mike's signature Hashtag is #doyour20s
Alexis Petteri
Lexi was literally born to sail! Her adventurous parents took her on her first sail at just 2 weeks old. She spent her childhood sailing Optis and Lasers on beautiful Lake Michigan while continuing the tradition of racing on the family sailboat.
Those experiences provided a stepping stone into the competitive sailboat racing community, and for years she dedicated herself to building her racing skills. Her proudest sailing accomplishment was competing on a Melges 32 with the youth development team Project Sail Team Hydra.
Her love of sailing and passion for teaching has remained steadfast throughout her life. She's spent many years coaching youth sailing in Optis in Michigan during the summers.
When the call of the sea inevitably overcame her concentration while studying at American University, she became a certified ASA sailing instructor and moved to the Caribbean to teach sailing on a bigger scale.
She now lives the dream: Sharing her love for sailing with adventurous students and exploring magical islands in some of the best waters and winds in the world. ASA 101, 103, and 104.
