HYC Instructors for 2012:

Program Director – Kim Dempsey

HYC is pleased to announce the Kim Dempsey will be taking on the role of Youth Sailing Program Director for the 2012 season. Though she was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, she spent summers in Freeport and her family’s connection to HYC goes back two generations. Kim has an extensive background in coaching and instructing, having spent the past five summers working at HYC and at Stamford Sailing Foundation on Long Island Sound. She is a member of the Bowdoin Varsity Sailing Team, where she spends the year racing dinghies in the competitive world of college sailing. She has raced big boats on the Sound and currently competes in the Vanguard 15 class.

420 Race Coach –  Finn Hadlock

Finn is stoked to be returning to HYC this summer as the 420 Race Coach.  At 9 years old he started racing in Optis at HYC. Since then has gone on to compete all over New England, winning a 420 State Championship.  He is passionate about sailing, racing, and enjoying life, and can’t wait to get out on the water. After a good summer last year he is excited to see the team continue to grow and improve.

Head Mates Instructor – Sam Carley

Sam is from Harvard, Massachusetts, but has spent his summers sailing and racing on Cape Cod. He has spent the last few summers teaching sailing in Cotuit, MA or working as a skipper on an Alerion sailing out of Wyanno, MA. He is a Bowdoin student, and this will be his first summer in Maine and his first year working at HYC. He is really excited to get to know all the sailors.

Assistant Instructor  - Lainey Battison:

Lainey is excited to return to HYC for her second year as an instructor. She attends the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Connecticut this year and plans to continue sailing in college. Although she lives in Connecticut, Lainey spends her summers in Freeport and competed on the HYC race team for 4 years prior to becoming an instructor. She is looking forward to working with the recruits and mates this year after such a great summer last year!

Assistant. Instructor – Becky Smith:

Becky began teaching Recruits and Mates at HYC in the summer of 2011, and she returns to instruct with us this year. She started sailing at HYC at age ten. After experiencing each step of the program herself, she looks forward to passing on her acquired knowledge and admiration of the sport to any aspiring sailors. Becky is currently a senior at Waynflete High School, and will be attending Bates College in the fall of 2012.