Deckhand Tim

Tim Sanford is a lifelong waterman whose relationship with the sea began long before he could see over the top of a sail. His childhood summers were spent cruising the waters of Mystic, Connecticut—exploring Fishers Island Sound, the Connecticut River, Block Island, Watch Hill, Cuttyhunk, Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Montauk. Those formative years built the kind of instinctive seamanship that only comes from reading weather, tides, and the famously temperamental conditions of New England.

That foundation carried him far. Tim has sailed the coast of Bodrum, Turkey, explored the waters of St. John, USVI, and crewed on a racing trimaran with legendary multihull sailor Captain Mike Lenneman out of Los Angeles. The capstone of Tim's offshore experience came in 2001, during the ARC Rally Europe—a transatlantic passage crewing a 34‑foot sloop from Antigua through Bermuda, the Azores, and into Portugal. Thirty‑two days of open‑ocean sailing has a way of calibrating a person, and it left Tim with a deep respect for the sea’s power and a steady, unshakeable presence on deck.

In 2010, Tim founded Paddle Method, building it into Los Angeles’ premier accredited paddleboard instruction and guiding operation in Marina del Rey. He has guided thousands of paddlers across Santa Monica Bay, Malibu, Palos Verdes, and beyond.

In 2014, he captained the overall winning team of the 100‑Mile Paddle Race from Redondo Beach to San Diego and helped shape two of the region’s signature ocean events—the LA Waterkeeper SUP for Clean Water races at Annenberg Beach House and Paradise Cove.

As a former member of USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 12‑4, Tim brings a safety‑first mindset to every aspect of open‑water operations.

Tim is currently advancing his maritime career as a captain in training, completing the required USCG steps to further his professional seamanship and expand his operational capabilities with motor yachts and fine-tuning his navigational skills in sailing.

Merchant Mariner ASA Credentials:

§ 101

§ 103

§ 104

§ 114

§ CPR & First Aid