US SAILING INSTRUCTORS

Our competent team is looking forward to helping you build your sailing skills.

Charisma Sailing Team

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Captain Robert Gardner

Charisma Sailing was founded by Captain Robert Gardner to offer personalized pathways to achieve sailing proficiency and certification with US Sailing instruction, courses, and certifications in both Key West and Miami. Today, Captain Rob is training and overseeing our team of US Sailing and Powerboating Instructors.

Captain Rob was born and raised in Chicago, where he owned and operated a commercial construction and real estate management firm, while traveling and sailing all over the world during the Chicago winters. 

Rob has been sailing the Great Lakes and inland waters since the age of seven. His multiple United States Sailing Association (US Sailing) Instructor Certificates include Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, Bareboat Cruising, Coastal Navigation and Coastal Passage Making. He is a 100 ton USCG Masters-Licensed Captain and holds NOLS/WMI and American Red Cross Medical Certifications.

Rob’s experience includes both command and crew on sailing and motor yachts ranging from 30’ to 70’ throughout the Great Lakes, Mediterranean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. He has worked as a Charter Captain, Delivery Captain, and Sailing Instructor, and is skilled in all aspects of boat operations, maintenance, and fleet management. He also has a great deal of personal experience from living aboard his Dufour 450 and Fountain Pajot 46’ sailing catamaran.

Although always an avid sailor, he is also passionate about environmental protection, teaching, experiential education, and youth development. His past experience included Wilderness Adventure Expedition Leadership and Outdoor Instructor for youth and adults. 

Rob genuinely loves meeting new students and will be happy to share his sailing experience, local and environmental knowledge.

CONTACT CAPTAIN ROB
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SAILING INSTRUCTORS -

SAILING INSTRUCTORS -

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The expert instructor team at Charisma Sailing combines highly educated sailing instructors and experienced Olympic sailing coaches, who are eager to share their passion and knowledge with our students. Please click on the instructors’ names below to learn more about them.

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  • Born in Chicago and raised in Marco Island, Florida, Paul Grisko was drawn to the ocean early on. His sailing journey began in the Florida Keys and flourished at the University of South Florida, where he joined the sailing team and discovered his passion for teaching during summer stints at sailing camps across the U.S., including the San Juan Islands and Portland, Maine. Holding a 50GT captain’s license with a sailing endorsement, Paul now sails his J32 sailboat and has been an influential instructor at Offshore Sailing School for four years. His dedication not only enhances his personal explorations but also inspires a new generation of sailors through his expertise and enthusiasm.

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  • Bio coming soon.

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  • Joelle, originally from Minnesota, spent sixteen years of her adult life in Europe. As an avid world traveler, she raced and cruised the waters of the North Sea, Baltic, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Sydney Harbor, Whitsundays, Lake Superior and San Francisco Bay. When living in Brussels, she was the Commodore of the Brussels International Sailing Club and enjoyed leading weekend cruises. Several years ago she pursued another love – flying – and gained her commercial pilot license, flying seaplanes in remote areas of Alaska. Joelle holds a Masters degree from Leicester University, RYA Yachtmaster and Cruising Instructor Certificates, STCW95 certification and speaks German as a second language. In her free time, she enjoys playing the violin/fiddle, SCUBA diving and sailing her Laser.

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  • Bio coming soon.

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  • Nicolas began his sailing career at the age of 12 in Rosario, Argentina, sailing Optimist and racing with his father in a J90, taking part in National and International Regattas.

    When he was 22 years old, Nicolas crossed the Atlantic on board of the first Bavaria Vision 46 that crossed the from France to Brazil.

    After that, he decided to focus on sailing in the 29er Class at an international level, winning the 2014 South American Championship, and won the 1st place at the World Championship Silver Fleet.

    From 2015 to 2027 he coached the Argentinian 29er Youth National Team. achieving a 4th Place at the Open World Championship in 2017, and Bronze medal at the ISAF Youth Worlds also in 2017.

    Nicolas is an expert boat rigger, and specializes in offshore racing safety. As a boat broker for the Fort Lauderdale - Miami area, he currently specialize in Beneteau monohulls & Excess Catamarans.

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  • Bio coming soon.

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  • Carlo discovered his passion for sailing as a child on Cape Cod Bay, spending many hours piloting AMF Force 5 and Laser sailboats in the Bay’s often sporty conditions. He also sailed with friends and family in Jamaica Bay and Long Island, New York, whenever the opportunity arose.

    In 1999, he obtained his sailing certification and began bareboat chartering in the Carribean, Florida, and California, eventually purchasing a capable weekend cruiser that he frequently sailed from Redondo Beach, California, to Catalina Island for extended weekends.

    In 2008, Carlo obtained his OUPV captain’s license and was cleared as a coxswain on Henrico County Virginia's Fireboat 2—a 32' Munson landing craft equipped with a 1,500 gpm fire pump. In addition to boat handling skills, his emergency marine response training included swift water rescue certification, shipboard firefighting, and participation in the SAR Forum.

    Today, Carlo spends his time aboard sailing and fishing vessels in Key West, where he continues to share his lifelong love of the water and sailing.