Head Instructor: Maclain Walsworth
Maclain found his love of sailing on Stony Lake many years ago and has been an avid sailor ever since. After being an SLYC race coach for the last three years, Maclain is excited to be taking on the role of Head Instructor! An active sailor year-round, he spends his winters as Co-President of the University of Victoria Sailing Club and the Team Development Officer for the Canadian Intercollegiate Sailing Association. With a background in competitive dinghy and keelboat racing, Maclain is passionate about fostering skill development as well as a love for the sport. He’s looking forward to a summer of great sailing, learning, and fun on Stony Lake!
Operations:
Stella Hong
Stella has enjoyed sailing every summer at Stony Lake since she was 8 years old and will begin studying engineering at Queen’s University this fall. After spending the last two summers refining her sailing skills on the race team, Stella is excited to return this summer as a sailing instructor and the SLYC Operations Manager for sailing. Stella is passionate about helping young athletes build confidence, improve their skills, and most importantly create a life-long love for sailing. As an experienced coach, having taught ski racing for 3 years, Stella wishes to use her expertise to create the best experience possible for young sailors. As Operations Manager, she looks forward to keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. She can’t wait for a great summer!
Race Coach:
Natalie Fear
Natalie is coming back for her second year at Stony this summer and is looking forward to coaching the SLYC Race Team. Natalie just finished her first year at Connecticut College where she is a skipper on the varsity sailing team (Go Camels!). Most of her competitive experience comes from the ILCA 6 (Laser radial), which she raced for 2 years before college, both nationally and internationally. With her background in fleet and team, as well as keelboat racing, Natalie is excited to bring her knowledge to the table and develop the Race Team further. Her love for sailing and coaching is what brought her to the amazing group at Stony, and she is so excited for this summer!
Race Coach:
Rocky
Walsworth
Rocky is returning to Stony Lake for a third summer of coaching, bringing both experience and energy to the program. After coaching the Opti Race Team last year, Rocky will be joining Natalie this summer as Race Coach, and is excited to help sailors continue to build confidence and competitive skill on the water. In the fall, Rocky will be heading to the University of Calgary to study biology, bringing his curiosity for the natural world to every part of life - including sailing. With a strong background in youth racing and a passion for mentorship, Rocky is looking forward to another summer of fun, growth and fast sailing on Stony!
Opti Race Coach:
Finn Kimsa
Finn has been sailing since the age of 8 and just wrapped up his first year at Dalhousie University, where he studies with the same focus he brings to the racecourse. Now in his third year of coaching, Finn is passionate about helping young sailors develop both skill and confidence on the water. Known for his energy, creativity, and love of the sport, Finn has a unique talent for turning a simple drill into an engaging (and often epic) learning experience. He’s always encouraging his sailors - sometimes with motivational speeches, sometimes with snacks, but always with genuine enthusiasm. Whether it’s shouting “starboard” or calling for “one more race” (which often turns into several), Finn brings dedication, humour, and a deep understanding of sailing to every season.
Opti Race Coach:
Cate Jacobs
Cate Jacobs grew up sailing on Stony Lake. At first, she was frightened by the power of the wind and even more scared to harness its strength. Over time, with the help of encouraging, compassionate and fun instructors, she learned to befriend the wind. She went from fearing white caps to wishing for them. Cate grew up a skipper, but in her last year of race team, she decided to give crew a chance and loved it. With her background and experience with sailing, her main goal as an instructor is to inspire, motivate, encourage and support young sailors to enjoy the sport and time out on the water. She loves using her creativity for hands-on lessons so sailors can learn concepts by doing.
Coach:
Charlotte Anderson
Charlotte has been sailing since she was 8 years old and has just finished her first year at the University of Edinburgh. When she started sailing, she was scared of high winds but learned to love them over time as her skills grew. She has sailed as both a skipper but excelled as a crew in her race team years. She is very excited for her second year coaching at Stony and cannot wait to see the exciting summer ahead.
Coach:
Taylor Dalton
Taylor grew up spending every summer at the cottage and has been an active part of the Juniper Island community for as long as she can remember. After several years on the race team, she transitioned into teaching and is now in her third summer as a sailing instructor while also running weekend races. Taylor recently finished her first year at Dalhousie University and is excited to be rejoining the SLYC for another incredible summer. Inspired by her past coaches that nurtured her love for sailing, Taylor aims to help young sailors build confidence and improve their skills while bringing a fun and lighthearted energy. In the summer to come, she is looking forward to getting to know her new students and sharing the many traditions that make our yacht club so unique.
Coach:
Will O’Callaghan
William has been sailing at SLYC since he was eight, and has spent the last two summers teaching at the club he’s always called home. Starting as a crew and later becoming a skipper on the Race Team, William brings a well-rounded understanding of the sport. He’s passionate about making lessons fun and memorable—often using creative games (and the occasional sweet treat) to keep his sailors smiling and learning. Whether he’s rigging boats with beginners or coaching upwind tactics, William brings energy, patience, and a love for sailing to every class.
Coach:
Blane Rishor
Blane Rishor is returning this summer for his 3rd season teaching sailing. He has been sailing at the SLYC since the age of 7. Blane is currently attending Queens University where he is studying economics. Blane is known for getting his kids fired up to get out on the water and learn all there is to know about sailing fast. Going into his 3rd year of teaching at the SLYC, Blane is more motivated then ever to make sure every one of his students has an awesome summer and may follow in his footsteps in winning the cottage club regatta.
Coach: Lillie Craig
Lillie is excited to return to Stony Lake this summer as a first year sailing instructor. With 8 years of sailing experience and a strong background in both competitively racing and coaching young athletes, she will be an engaging, knowledgeable and positive presence in every session. After many years at the SLYC, she is excited to help young sailors develop a passion for the sport. Lillie aims to provide a fun and safe environment in which young sailors will thrive in developing their skills. She is looking forward to helping sailors build skills, have fun, and make the most of their time on the water. Lillie is super excited for another awesome summer of sailing on Stony Lake!
Coach: Gordie Walsworth
Gordie Walsworth has been sailing on Stony Lake since he was just seven years old, developing a strong passion for the sport from a young age. Over the years, his skills and dedication have grown, leading him to spend the past three summers as a member of the race team, where he’s competed in numerous regattas and honed his technique. His time on the team has not only sharpened his abilities but also deepened his love for speed and strategy on the water. Now, Gordie is excited to take on a new role as a coach, where he looks forward to inspiring and guiding young sailors, while continuing to enjoy the thrill of sailing fast across the lake.
Coach: Pippa Barrett
Pippa has been sailing at SLYC every summer since she was 8 years old. She is passionate about sailing and racing in Ontario in the summers, and spends the rest of her year in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she will be a senior in high school this fall. Pippa has sailed on the Race Team for the past two summers and is excited to return to Stony Lake to instruct. Sailing has taught Pippa confidence, resilience, and a deep appreciation for being outside. As a coach, she hopes to pass those same lessons on to younger sailors. Pippa’s goal is to create a fun and supportive environment where sailors can challenge themselves and fall in love with the sport. She’s excited to coach this summer and to get back on the water!
Coach: Erica Brohman
Erica is a lifelong Stony Laker who has sailed at SLYC for 8 years. Over the past two summers, she was a dedicated member of the race team, where she developed a passion for crewing and high-intensity racing that she is excited to bring to coaching. Outside the lake, Erica works as an Aquatic Deck Supervisor for the Town of Oakville, where she leads a team of lifeguards and swim instructors; an experience that has strengthened her leadership and ability to support young athletes. This fall, she will be pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Queen’s University. Erica is looking forward to another amazing summer at Stony!
Coach: Abby Wonnacott
Abby has been sailing every summer on Stony lake since she was 9 and is thrilled to return this year as a sailing instructor. After two summers on race team, she is excited to help younger sailors grow their skills, build confidence on the water and discover the joy of sailing. In addition to sailing, Abby is a ski coach with experience working with athletes of various ages. She is committed to creating a positive and supportive environment for her sailors. Abby is heading into Grade 12 at Branksome Hall, where she serves as a student leader and plays on the varsity volleyball team. With a passion for leadership and teamwork, she is looking forward to a great summer at the lake.
Coach: Keira Lavery
Keira grew up sailing at SLYC, and it’s where she first discovered her love for the sport. After being a member of the SLYC Race Team she is excited to take on a leadership role this year. Summers at Stony Lake have always been a highlight for her, and she’s thrilled to be spending another summer by the water—this time as a sailing instructor! In the fall, Keira will be attending Dalhousie University to study Commerce. With two years of experience coaching ski racing, she’s excited to bring her passion for teaching, strong leadership skills, and positive energy to the SLYC instructor team. Keira can’t wait to share her love of sailing with a new generation of sailors! She is super excited for an amazing summer!
Coach: Nina Brooks-Hill
Nina has spent the last two summers as a crew on the SLYC race team and is excited to return this year for her first summer as a coach. She grew up sailing on Stony Lake and will be heading to Dalhousie in the fall to study commerce. With experience both on the water and on the field, coaching soccer during the school year, Nina will bring enthusiasm and encouragement into each drill. She is excited to help sailors learn new skills, build confidence, have fun, and be part of a positive, supportive community this summer.
Coach: Anna Jacobs
Anna has been a part of the SLYC sailing community since she was 7 and is excited to return this summer as an instructor. As a younger sailor, she looked up to the older instructors who made sailing exciting, welcoming and fun; and now Anna is eager to do the same for the next generation. Sailing has shaped her confidence, curiosity and love of teamwork; and she's passionate about creating that same experience for others. Known for her calm communication and strong leadership, Anna is committed to building a positive, inclusive environment where every sailor feels like they belong.
