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 Roy Hebert is the General Manager of the Whistler Sailing Association and a nationally certified Level 3 NCCP coach with over 25 years of outdoor leadership experience. Leading WSA since 2011, he has grown the organization into a thriving sailing hub delivering more than 1,700 student-days each summer. He oversees program development, coach training, and community engagement, and has introduced innovative offerings such as Wing Foiling instruction.
A Sail Canada Competition Development Race Coach and Instructor Evaluator, Francois is passionate about mentoring the next generation of coaches with a focus on performance, safety, and fun. He also serves as a Training Supervisor at Whistler Blackcomb Snow School, bringing high-performance coaching and operational expertise from both ski and sailing disciplines.
Recognized with the 2022 CWSAA Safety Mogul Award, Francois is a leader in risk management and helped make WSA one of the first sailing schools in Canada to mandate helmet use for sailors 18 and under. A competitive Laser sailor, he has won both provincial and U.S. Masters national titles.
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 & Race Coach
Learn to Sail Programs
James Cannon
Second in command on and off the water, our Head Coach steers the team with skill, heart, and a sharp eye for wind shifts.
Senior Sailing Instructor
Jeffrey Baird
A steady presence, Jeff leads with experience, empathy, and a talent for bringing out the best in both sailors and staff.
The Digital Helm
Jill Wynott
Website, design and communications, Jill keeps Whistler Sailing’s digital sails trimmed and on course.
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.
Senior Sailing Instructor
Conor Warner
Our Pirate Guru, Conor brings energy, expertise, and a love of the lake to every lesson – always ready with a laugh and perfect sail trim.
Sailing Instructor
Lira Ilyasova
With vibrant energy and a creative spirit, Lira keeps the team smiling and the sails flying – always ready with a joke and a splash of colour.
Sailing Instructor
Charlotte Spencer
After instructing in Halifax and Kingston, two of the country’s premier sailing hubs, Charlotte brings valuable experience and fresh energy to the WSA program this season.
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 his 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 he hops in.
Sailing Instructor
Anais Staniforth
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
Ruby Gee
Joining us from Eagle Harbour Yacht Club, Ruby brings a love for sailing and water. Always ready to hoist the sails and make the most of every breeze, she’s excited to share her passion on Alta Lake.
Sailing Instructor
Devan Radtke
Devan grew up through the WSA Race Team and now brings that same stoke and energy to his new role as an instructor. A dedicated Optimist and Laser sailor he’s logged countless hours on the water with friends and family, building skills, confidence, and a true love for the sport.
Sailing Instructor
Phil Hargreaves
Full of curiosity and stoke, Phil is a true WSA original. Whether he’s sailing or diving into his new passion for Wing Foiling, he brings questions, enthusiasm, and boundless energy to every day on the lake.
Chief Morale Officer
Indy
With a wagging tail and a nose for adventure, Indy is our newest recruit – ready to help the team as an assistant coach and keep spirits high on and off the dock.
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
