About

Peter Phillips

President

Peter is a fourth generation San Diegan who has been sailing his entire life. He graduated from San Diego State University and worked in Healthcare, primarily in the Information Technology space, getting his start at (Rady) Children's Hospital. Volunteerism has been one of his core life values. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Southern California Yachting Assoc, where he still chairs the Adaptive Boating committee and, the Board of the Recreational Boaters of California. He started sailing with CSSD in 2018 and in 2022 he became our President

Steve Bridge M.D.

Vice President

Stephen Bridge M.D. is a retired urologic surgeon who grew up in Pacific Beach and started sailing around the age of 5. He sailed competitively in the junior program at Mission Bay Yacht Club and competed in many regattas in the San Diego area and around Southern California, winning numerous awards skippering a Sabot, OK Dinghy, and Lido 14. He learned of CSSD from one of his patients in 2019 and started volunteering shortly thereafter as dock help and, subsequently, as a companion sailor.

Morgan Wright

Secretary and Safety

Morgan moved from Paradise, CA to San Diego in 2014 and was introduced to sailing though the UCSD Sailing Team on CFJs. Shortly after graduating, he started racing on bigger yachts (47-59’) in the San Diego Bay and eventually found a competitive team to race with (Team Fiasco on a S2 10.2). To support his sailing habit, he has worked as a behavioral therapist, and has held various teaching positions across San Diego community college districts and SDSU in biological sciences. Morgan started volunteering with CSSD in 2018, and is always happy to help people learn how to sail safely and race competitively.

Sue Taetzsch

Scheduling

I joined Challenged Sailors San Diego when it first opened as a nonprofit in 2014. I have been the scheduler since then and I am currently one of the BOD members for Challenged Sailors San Diego. I graduated with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation, received my Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling for the Deaf and post graduate in Certificate in Post Employment Training Administration of programs serving individuals who are Deaf, Late Deafened and Hard of Hearing, I grew up sailing and love being involved in providing sailing opportunities to people with disabilities, new or returning sailors.

Chaluim Muir

Outreach

“Capt Cal” set sail on his maritime journey at the age of 12, right at the location of Sunroad Marina, which currently houses Challenged Sailors. Today, Capt Cal is the proud owner of the distinguished Sail San Diego sailing center. Cal’s profound affection for the ocean and the art of sailing has motivated him to inspire and engage the local community in the splendors of their own backyard, the San Diego Bay. Philanthropy and community involvement have long been integral to Cal’s identity, and he looks forward to being part of the next chapter of this organization.

Sam Graber

Marketing / Co-Treasurer

Originally from Washington, D.C., Sam Graber grew up sailing during summers in the Adirondacks on Upper Saranac Lake when his Mom forced him to get on the damn boat. Now he's a crazy foredecker, never reefs and sails his own Seaward 25 into shoal waters. But he is VERY responsible with CSSD as a companion sailor. Sam is thrilled to be using his time and talents to serve the disabled community. Every day is a joy when we can give the gift of making memories on the water. Let's go sailing!

Fritha Matus

Volunteers

With professional experience covering 33 years in Health Care Management, Fritha lives a parallel life as an accomplished sailor. She has sailed the San Diego waters with her husband Eric on Impulse (Cal 29), Infringer (Catalina Capri 37) and Navy Rental boats (Great Lakes and San Diego). Toss in the occasional sunset wine and cheese cruising with Eric on Balding Eagle (Santana 525). Fritha is proud to be a longtime CSSD volunteer and supporter, having been behind many of the volunteer events. It has been a joy to be involved with Challenged Sailors San Diego!

Craig Dennis

Waterfront Lead

Craig is a 2nd generation Californian having lived in Southern California all his life. Craig started his career in the motion picture industry and moved into the competitive multifamily housing market, then grape farming and finished his professional career/s in the custom home building industry. Now retired (again), Craig found his new passion in helping keep CSSD’s fleet in working condition. Craig lives in Olivenhain with his wife Kerry, their two Corgi’s and CSSD’s unofficial mascot Fergie.

Jane Dunn

As a founder and former President of Challenged Sailors, Jane has developed many components of the CSSD program. Jane’s enthusiasm for sailing began during childhood summers spent racing on Cape Cod. Since then, she has enjoyed sailing and racing boats of all sizes, including her current 23’ Sonar. Jane has been a US Sailing Small Boat Sailing Instructor since 2009, and received her Adaptive Sailing Instructor certification. Jane is always looking forward to exploring new opportunities for CSSD, and spending time on the water with our wonderful sailors and volunteers.

Tiffany Piquilloud

A Board-Certified Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, Tiffany received her Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of the Pacific. For over 20 years Tiffany has been serving as the Executive Director and Senior Physical Therapist at Challenge Center. When she’s not running Challenge Center or treating patients, Tiffany can be found in the mountains snowboarding/skiing, under the ocean scuba diving, out traveling the world, playing Gaelic Football for San Diego, or playing with their dog, and Challenge Center regular, Penny.

Dale Burchby

Training

Dale has lived and sailed in Southern California for 50 years. He has sailed, raced, and taught on boats from Windsurfers to ocean racing catamarans, and he loves all of them. He especially loves sharing the sport with others—the freedom and beauty of being on the water, the aerodynamics of harnessing the wind, and the camaraderie. He discovered Challenged Sailors San Diego in 2018 after retiring from a career in Air Force flight test and aerospace project management. He cherishes the opportunity to share the beauty of sailing with folks with disabilities.

Mike and Sylvia Swall

Two of our founders rescued the adaptive sailing program, part of Challenged America, back in 2014. They invested their own money to pay dockage and insurance costs for the program's eight specially designed Martin 16s. Eventually, they formalized the arrangement, along with other volunteers, and created a new non-profit corporation called Challenged Sailors San Diego. They're regulars at our Friday and Saturday sails as well as special events!