About Stephen
I'm Stephen Skinner — a US Sailing Certified Instructor, USCG licensed captain, and active instructor at J/World Performance Sailing School in San Diego, where I teach Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, and Bareboat Cruising. I hold a USCG OUPV (6-Pack) Mariner's Credential and bring over 20 years of experience on the water — racing, cruising, and offshore passagemaking — to every session I teach.
I've come to believe that sailing is one of those rare pursuits that rewards you at every level — there's always something new to learn, always a condition you haven't seen before, always a way to get better. That's what keeps me on the water, and it's what I try to pass on to every student I work with.
Why I teach
I teach because I want to share my love of sailing — with beginners who've never left the dock, with experienced sailors chasing a competitive edge, and everyone in between. Sailing is complex, but that complexity is part of its beauty. With the right instruction it can be understood, mastered, and genuinely enjoyed at any level. Watching a student go from uncertain to confident — whether that's their first tack or their first spinnaker set — never gets old.
Lifted Tack Sailing and J/World: A Note on Transparency
I am a working instructor at J/World Performance Sailing School, San Diego's premier sailing school for over 40 years. I'm proud of that affiliation and I want to be straightforward about how Lifted Tack Sailing relates to it.
J/World offers structured courses, group programs, US Sailing certifications, racing clinics, charters, and offshore adventures — a full-service sailing school with an established curriculum, professional fleet, and decades of institutional expertise. If you are looking for any of those things, J/World is an excellent choice, and I'm happy to point you there.
Lifted Tack Sailing is my personal instruction practice. It exists to serve sailors whose needs fall outside the structure of a group program — those who want one-on-one coaching tailored to their specific goals, their own boat, and their own schedule. The two are distinct in how they operate, and I am committed to being clear about that distinction with every prospective student.
If you're not sure which is the right fit, ask me. I'll give you an honest answer.
Contact us
I respond personally to every inquiry. Whether you're exploring lessons for the first time or looking to sharpen your skills, I'm happy to help you determine the best next step — with Lifted Tack Sailing or with J/World.