Francois Roy Hebert is the General Manager of the Whistler Sailing Association and a nationally certified Level 3 NCCP coach with over 25 years of experience in outdoor leadership. At the helm of WSA since 2011, Francois has grown the organization into a dynamic sailing hub that welcomes more than 1,700 student-days each summer. He oversees program development, coach training, and community engagement while also leading the charge on innovative offerings like Wing Foiling instruction.

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Francois holds Sail Canada’s Competition Development (formerly “Orange”) Race Coach certification and is a recognized Sail Canada Instructor Evaluator. He plays a key role in mentoring the next generation of coaches, with a focus on performance, safety, and fun on the water. His leadership style is grounded in calm, confident decision-making—whether managing a busy sailing school, running instructor clinics, or coaching athletes in challenging conditions.

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With a strong background in both ski and sailing disciplines, Francois currently serves as a Training Supervisor at the Whistler Blackcomb Snow School, supporting a team of over 1,500 instructors. He holds CSIA Level 4 Instructor and CSCF Level 3 Coach certifications, and has logged over 200 days heli-ski guiding. This extensive experience in high-performance coaching and operational leadership brings added depth to his work on the water. Known for his steady presence and technical expertise, Francois is committed to helping sailors of all ages build skills, confidence, and a lasting connection to the sport.

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He was recognized for his leadership in risk management by the Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) Safety Mogul Award in 2022, honoring his significant contribution to the safety culture at Whistler Blackcomb. Under his direction, Whistler Sailing Association also became one of the first sailing schools in Canada to implement mandatory helmet use for everyone 18 & under—setting a new standard for safety in the sport.

Francois is also a highly competitive Laser sailor. He won the ILCA 6 (Laser Radial) Provincial Championship in Squamish in 2018, and more recently captured the title at the 2023 ILCA 7 (Laser Standard) U.S. Masters National Championship in San Francisco.