Junior Program Staff & Coaches

Program Instructors

Our program is taught by U.S. Sailing certified instructors who are also certified in CPR, First Aid, and water related safety procedures.  Del Rey Yacht Club has over 40 years experience in offering a comprehensive year-round sailing program.  Our instructor ratio of one to four for beginning classes exceeds U.S. Sailing recommended guidelines.

Head Coach - Sean Dougherty
Sean is 35 years old. A Venice High School graduate, Sean came up through the Del Rey Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program, where he competed in Sabbots, FJ's, 420's, Lasers and 29ers. Sean is a boat broker at Dennison Yacht Sales and coaches Optimist Dinghies, FJ's, and 420's.

 

Senior Coaches

William Petersen
William, a Marina Del Rey local and graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a BA in Travel Industry Management. Will has competed in the Sabbot, Optimist, CFJ, 420, Laser, 29er, and various offshore keel boats. Will is a boat broker at Dennison Yacht sales and serves as the High School Sailing coach.

Erin Megee Peterson
Erin is originally from Sun Valley, Idaho, Erin graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a MA in Education. Erin teaches Kindergarten at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish School. Erin coaches Sabbots and Optimist Dinghies.

Coaches: Adam Corpez-Lahn
Adam is past head instructor of our program. He currently teaches the Race Team in Lasers, Fj's and 420's.

Mark Spector
Mark is current year-round Opti Race Team Coach.

Lillian Kennedy
Lillian is current year-round beginner coach.

Benny Spector
Benny is currently attending College of Charleston. He is an avid sailor on their collegiate sailing team.

Leonardo Hernandez
Leo has been coaching our program for several years now. He has also received his Captain’s license.

Michael Ramming
Michael is currently attending College of Charleston. He is an avid sailor on the collegiate sailing team.

Sarah Somes
Sarah is currently attending College of Charleston. She is an avid sailor on their collegiate sailing team.

Adam Pokras
Adam graduated from the University of Hawaii. He is an avid sailor and was on their collegiate sailing team.

Julian Soto
Julian attended University of Hawaii. He is an avid sailor on their collegiate sailing team.

Joseph Eichemberger
Joseph attended Cal State Northridge.  He has been coaching our program for several years now.

Jenna Kennedy
Jenna graduated from Palisades High School.

Nicholas Weis
Nicholas attended UC Irvine.

Brian Mcmartin
Brian graduated from Redondo Union High School.