Staff and Board
Our Coaches
Committed to the Development and Safety of our Young Sailors Our US Sailing Certified Coaches and Instructors are experienced sailors with a love of teaching sailing to the next generation. Every Coach and Instructor we hire is prepared to share their diverse experiences in sailing with our program’s youth to engage and motivate them to succeed both on and off the water. All of our Coaches and Instructors are required to have the following certifications:
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Executive Sailing Director, Yvonne Watson Yvonne has been on the water her whole life growing up on the Cheasapeake Bay and sailing sunfish as a kid. She has a degree in Marine Biology Technology and Business Administration. Upon graduation she stepped aboard the 120' Schooner Liberty Clipper in Boston, MA as cook and worked her way up the ranks to First Mate. She earned her 100 ton Captains Liscence and took command of the 80' Schooner Liberty in Key West, FL were she ran day sails, charters and sunset sails. Yvonne moved her family to the Venice area in 2013 and has been with the VYBA as a parent for 9 years now having three kids in the program, two of which are coaches. She is currently a level 1 certified sailing instructor and working towards her 100 ton Captains Liscence renewal. |
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VYBA Head Coach, James McGirr Coach James has been a long time sailor and patron of VYBA having grown up through the program until he entered High school. He sailed his high school career with Pine View High School and went on to form the Florida Gulf Coast University Sailing Team. We are very lucky to get him back during his last semester of collage at FGCU and lucky to have his knowledge and talent as head coach and lead on our Club 420 and Venice High School Sailing Teams. |
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Senior Coach, Alyssa Jongsma Alyssa has been sailing for nine years at VYBA and is now a US Sailing Level 2 Certified coach. She currently a college student at FGCU and sails on the FGCU collegiate sailing team. Alyssa coaches the Junior Varsity Venice High Sailing Team. |
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Coach, Zoe Watson Zoe has been sailing all her life having grown up on a Tall ship and living about her families 37' sailboat. She started sailing with VYBA at age 9 on the Opti green fleet team and quickly moved up to c420 and ending her high school sailing career with the Venice High Sailing Team. Zoe's love for sailing and children landed her a level 2 sailing instructor certification and is now one of VYBA's senior coaches teaching Opti race teams, learn to sail and our new homeschool program. |
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Coach, Emma Watson Emma has been sailing her whole life growing up on a sailboat and starting her sailing career as a tadpole with the Sarasota Youth Sailing. She has been sailing with the Venice Youth Boating for about 9 years and sails on the Venice highschool Sailing Team. Emma recently received her level 2 US Sailing Instructor Certification and Coaches the Green Fleet Opti Race Team. |
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Coach, Hudson Regan Hudson started sailing a few years ago here at VYBA and fell in love with it. He currently sails on the Venice Highschool Sailing Team, the c420 team and the laser team sailing, radial rig. Hudson recently received his Level 2 US Sailing Certification and coaches the Homes School Learn to Sail program. |
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Coach, Erinne Fenton Erinne started sailing a few years ago and fell in love with the sport. She currently sails on the C420 and vEnice High Sailing Teams but that doesn't stop there. She has sailes optis and lasers, has helped coach the Green Fleet Opti team, and currently holds a level 1 US sailing Instructor Certification |  |
Coach, Abe Reynolds Abe has been sailing for five years now with VYBA and is on the Venice High School Sailing Team. He has also sailed on the Opti RWB and C420 teams in his past. Abe has extensive knowledge in the Racing Rules of Sailing and strives to make every sailor have fun. Abe is a level 2 Sailing Instructor and has worked with VYBA for 3 years. |
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Coach, Otto Afanador Otto teaches Adult learn to sail as well as advanced sailing and comes to VYBA during his off time from North Carolina where he also teaches adult sailing. He is a level 3 certified instructor and loves to sail his Flying Scott whenever he gets a chance. |
Assistant Coaches James McCauley Natasha Bensen Sean Ballentine Katie Boyle Gabriella Pina-not pictured |
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GOur Board of Directors Our Board of Directors is a highly effective group of community leaders, parents and sailors working hard to make sure the VYBA operates effectively and efficiently. Chairman, Kim Whiteman Vice Chairman, Stephanie McKee Secretary & Parent Liaison, Kali Regan Treasurer, Kristine Taylor Governance, Edmund (Ed) B. Campbell, III Governance, Shaun Graser Operations, Jay Fahs, Jr. Operations, Dick Lawson Operations, Jill Joos Development, Sara Gill Executive Sailing Director, Yvonne Watson |