Meet
the Faces
of WSA
Behind every great tack and gybe is a great team –
meet the people that make it all happen!
Francois Hebert
General Manager
Francois Hebert is the General Manager of the Whistler Sailing Association, where he has led the organization since 2011. A nationally certified NCCP Level 3 Coach and Sail Canada Competition Development Race Coach, Francois has more than 25 years of coaching and outdoor leadership experience in both sailing and alpine skiing.
Passionate about developing confident sailors and exceptional instructors, Francois oversees WSA’s programs, instructor training, athlete development, and strategic growth. Under his leadership, WSA has become one of Canada’s leading community sailing centres, delivering more than 3,000 student-days of instruction each summer while expanding programming through innovative initiatives such as Wing Foiling. Francois is also the founder and lead coach of the Whistler Sailing Wing Foiling School.
As a Sail Canada Coach Developer and Instructor Evaluator, Francois is committed to developing the next generation of coaches by emphasizing technical excellence, leadership, safety, and positive learning environments. His background as a Training Supervisor with the Whistler Blackcomb Snow School has shaped his high-performance approach to coach education, staff development, and program delivery.
A recognized leader in risk management, Francois received the 2022 Canada West Ski Areas Association Safety Mogul Award. He also helped make Whistler Sailing one of the first sailing schools in Canada to require helmets for all sailors under the age of 18, setting a new standard for youth sailing safety.
In addition to his sailing credentials, Francois is a CSIA Level IV Ski Instructor, CSIA Level IV Course Conductor, CSCF Level III Ski Coach, and Level II CSGA Ski Guide, bringing a unique multidisciplinary perspective to coaching, leadership, and outdoor education.
An accomplished sailor, Francois is British Columbia Laser Champion and 2023 U.S. Laser Masters National Champion. He continues to race, Wing Foil, and is passionate about helping athletes, instructors, and coaches reach their full potential while inspiring a lifelong love of sailing and the outdoors.
Leadership Team
At the helm of Whistler Sailing is a committed leadership team charting the course for community connection, youth development, and a love of life on the water.
General Manager
Francois Hebert
A lifelong sailor with a steady hand at the helm, Francois keeps Whistler Sailing on course and full speed ahead.
Head Coach
James Cannon
Second in command on and off the water, our Head Coach and Race Team Coach steers the team with skill, heart, and a sharp eye for wind shifts.
The Digital Helm
Jill Wynott
Website, design and communications, Jill keeps Whistler Sailing’s digital sails trimmed and on course.
Senior Sailing Instructor
Charlotte Spencer
A lifelong sailor, Charlotte has coached in both Kingston and Halifax, bringing six years of experience, positivity, and leadership to our junior sailing programs.
Sailing Instructors
From fine-tuning techniques to chasing perfect wind, these are the faces who shape our sailors and lead the charge on the water.
Sailing Instructor
Devan Radtke
Having grown up through the Whistler Sailing Race Team, Devan now helps the next generation of sailors build confidence, skills, and a love for the sport.
Sailing Instructor
India Becker
A familiar face at Whistler Sailing for many years, India has progressed from Race Team sailor and volunteer to instructor, inspiring young sailors both on and off the water.
Sailing Instructor
Maya Bergmann-Smith
Originally from Hayling Island, UK, Maya is joining Whistler Sailing for the summer. She has experience sailing a wide range of boats, from 29ers to foiling, and is excited to share her passion for the sport with our sailors.
Sailing Instructor
Andreas Radtke
With a steady hand on the sheet and an eye on the horizon, Andreas is always ready to trim, tack, and take on whatever the wind brings.
Sailing Instructor
Zoe Williams
With a steady hand and a creative spark, Zoe brings quiet confidence to every boat, always adding her own artistic touch to the fleet.
Sailing Instructor
Pippa Warner
Whether scaling cliffs or steering boats, Pippa stands out. Ranked in the top 20 nationally in competitive climbing, she brings that same balance and focus to the helm – composed, capable, and always ready to lead with heart.
Sailing Instructor
Levi Rothdram
Levi has been sailing Alta Lake since her WetFeet days – a true homegrown sailor with a lifelong love of the wind, the water, and the WSA way. Patient, playful, and always stoked to be on the water, Levi brings joy and calm to every boat she hops in.
Sailing Instructor
Anais Staniforth
Growing up in a sailing family, Anais has developed a lifelong passion for the sport and enjoys sharing that enthusiasm with the next generation of sailors.
Sailing Instructor
Dominic Fulton
Travelling from England for the summer, Dominic brings enthusiasm, fresh perspectives, and a passion for sailing to the Whistler Sailing team. He sails on his university sailing team in Bristol and is excited to share his love of the sport with our sailors.
Sailing Instructor
Phil Hargreaves
Inquisitive and always eager to learn, Phil joins us from Portugal for the summer. A passionate ILCA 6 sailor who has competed throughout Europe, Phil brings strong racing experience, curiosity, and positive energy to WSA. When he’s not racing, you’ll likely find him wing foiling, another of his passions.
Chief Morale Officer
Indy
Whether she’s cruising on a boat, greeting sailors on the dock, or showing off her best tricks for a well-earned kibble, Indy is always hard at work boosting team morale.
The Wing Crew
Meet the crew riding the cutting edge – our wing foil instructors bring stoke, skill, and safety to every session on the water.
Lead Wing Instructor
Founder of the Wing School
Francois Hebert
As the leader of our wing foil team, Francois brings expertise, steady guidance, and a passion for sharing the thrill of flight over water.
Wing Instructor
James Cannon
A multi-talented sailor and winger, James brings versatility, skill, and a calm confidence to every session on the water.
Wing Instructor
Egon Odras
A multi-talented wing foiler and pump foiler, Egon brings unmistakable style to every session – powered by incredible athleticism and a firm belief in fast-looking sunglasses.
Wing Instructor
Patrick Tunnicliffe
Patrick pairs incredible foiling skill with a deep love for community, always bringing riders together and lifting the stoke on and off the water.
Wing Instructor
Sandra Bicego
A true wind sports enthusiast, Sandra brings unstoppable passion and infectious stoke whenever she’s not off chasing wind across the globe.
Wing Instructor
Simon Beller
A lifelong local and wind sports natural, Simon grew up carving lines across Alta Lake – bringing deep roots, local knowledge, and laid-back stoke to every session.
Wing Instructor
Marc Alfaro
Patient, calm, and endlessly supportive, Marc brings a steady presence to every wing lesson – sharing his passion for wind and motion.
Guiding the Vision
Made up of passionate volunteers and seasoned sailors, our Board of Directors helps steer Whistler Sailing through calm waters and strong gusts alike – always with heart and direction.
Commodore & President
Patrick McCurdy
As Commodore, Patrick is the steady heart behind Whistler Sailing, offering guidance, vision, and unwavering dedication to the community.
Planning & Facilities
Mick Gannon
Mick brings vision and expertise to every project, playing a key role in shaping and improving the facilities that support Whistler Sailing.
Regattas & Events
Maria Cannon
Maria is the driving force behind our most memorable events, bringing organization, energy, and a love for community to everything she does.
Treasurer & Secretary
David Stein
As Treasurer and Secretary, David keeps our finances shipshape and our records in order – the quiet anchor behind the scenes.
Memberships, Race & Adult Recruitment
David Ellis
David champions our membership, racing, and adult programs – always working to grow the fleet and welcome more sailors to the community.
Fundraising
Megan Risk
Megan plays a vital role in our fundraising efforts, helping to secure the support that keeps Whistler Sailing thriving and growing.
Director at Large
Alex Nichols
An avid wing foiler and passionate advocate for innovation on the water, Alex brought his vision to life by inspiring the creation of Whistler Sailing’s wing program.
Learn more about WSA
