Gerhardus "Gerald” van Wilgen was born and raised in the Netherlands where he was an avid water sport enthusiast: sailing, windsurfing, rowing, canoeing, kayaking, crew. After he moved to the US he took the ASA courses to learn how to sail properly. He later became an instructor and captain simply because enjoyed teaching people how to sail. He has been teaching children, alternative high school kids and adults for over ten years. He sails his 46’ McCurdy & Rhodes cutter “Elske” on the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. Gerald was a full time stay-at-home dad,  and spent his down time as soccer coach, theater maker, master gardener, teacher in a juvenile detention center, writer, president of a soccer club, podcaster, and is (still) trying to learn how to play sea chanties on his fiddle.