Chase Presson
Chase started sailing when she was 6 years old, learning to sail Optis in Chester. She was a part of the Chester Learn to Sail Program for 11 years, racing Optis and later C420s around Nova Scotia. Chase started coaching in 2015 in Chester and taught optis for 3 years. She moved across the bay to LYC in 2018 and continued working with Optis, encouraging them to race in local regattas. Chase has a passion for sailing and encouraging others to try things outside their comfort zone. She loves coaching and working with kids so much that she became a ski instructor in Colorado in 2019. She is looking forward to coming back to Nova Scotia this summer and loves being a part of the LYC community.
Hometown: Boulder, CO
Favorite Sailing Memory: Competing in C420 Nationals in Halifax was such an amazing opportunity to be a part of a larger regatta and I learned a lot. It was one of my first regattas in 420s and it has stayed with me because it taught me problem-solving, pushing my limits, and humility.
Favorite Ice Cream: Coffee Chocolate Chip
Chase started sailing when she was 6 years old, learning to sail Optis in Chester. She was a part of the Chester Learn to Sail Program for 11 years, racing Optis and later C420s around Nova Scotia. Chase started coaching in 2015 in Chester and taught optis for 3 years. She moved across the bay to LYC in 2018 and continued working with Optis, encouraging them to race in local regattas. Chase has a passion for sailing and encouraging others to try things outside their comfort zone. She loves coaching and working with kids so much that she became a ski instructor in Colorado in 2019. She is looking forward to coming back to Nova Scotia this summer and loves being a part of the LYC community.
Hometown: Boulder, CO
Favorite Sailing Memory: Competing in C420 Nationals in Halifax was such an amazing opportunity to be a part of a larger regatta and I learned a lot. It was one of my first regattas in 420s and it has stayed with me because it taught me problem-solving, pushing my limits, and humility.
Favorite Ice Cream: Coffee Chocolate Chip
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Sophie Carter
Sophie has been sailing for the past 10 years, she raced c420s out of the Waeg and RNSYS before transitioning into the 29er. She was a part of the Nova Scotia Sailing Team for two years and attended the 2017 Canada Summer Games in the 29er with her sailing partner Emily Roy. She is now a third year Life Sciences student at Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario and where she is a member of the Queen’s Varsity Sailing Team, she has competed with QST in both the Canadian and American double handed collegiate category for the past three years. She has been a sailing coach the past two summers, coaching c420 at RNSYS in 2019 and Opti at LYC in the summer of 2020. Sophie is looking forward to sharing her passion and knowledge in double handed sailing and racing with the c420 team at LYC this summer!
Hometown: Halifax, NS
Favourite Sailing Memory: Competing at the 2018 29er Midwinters East regatta in Miami and attending the Canada Summer Games with my partner Emily Roy.
Sophie has been sailing for the past 10 years, she raced c420s out of the Waeg and RNSYS before transitioning into the 29er. She was a part of the Nova Scotia Sailing Team for two years and attended the 2017 Canada Summer Games in the 29er with her sailing partner Emily Roy. She is now a third year Life Sciences student at Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario and where she is a member of the Queen’s Varsity Sailing Team, she has competed with QST in both the Canadian and American double handed collegiate category for the past three years. She has been a sailing coach the past two summers, coaching c420 at RNSYS in 2019 and Opti at LYC in the summer of 2020. Sophie is looking forward to sharing her passion and knowledge in double handed sailing and racing with the c420 team at LYC this summer!
Hometown: Halifax, NS
Favourite Sailing Memory: Competing at the 2018 29er Midwinters East regatta in Miami and attending the Canada Summer Games with my partner Emily Roy.
Emily Roy
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Emily: Sailing has always been my favourite summer activity, once it is warm enough you can always find me near the ocean. In my many (over 10) years of experience I have met some friends I will keep for life and learned some valuable lessons (like never forget your water or sunscreen!) and tricks (such as the opti pretzel) along the way. I have sailed in many fleets such as the Opti, 420, 29er, Farr30, J22 and 49erFX and loved different aspects of each one. I have also attended big regattas like the Canada Summer Games in the 29er with fellow coach Sophie Carter. After coaching for 3 years at RNSYS I am so excited to starting my fourth year at LYC! My love for sailing encourages me to inspire young sailors every day since I believe sailing is a sport for everyone.
My favourite sailing memory was when I was in my first year of C420. Me and my partner were drifting around on a light wind day and were having fun jumping in the water, walking around the mast and trapping off both sides of the boat. Our coach came over and suggested we try a new trick. This was the upside-down handstand! Both me and my partner learned to cartwheel into this position at the same time and this was the day I added a super fun move to impress my teammates with. So many laughs were shared that day as we had fun trapping upside-down in a handstand position and falling in the water. I can't wait to make new memories like this with all the sailors at LYC this summer!
My favourite ice cream flavour is moon mist.
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Emily: Sailing has always been my favourite summer activity, once it is warm enough you can always find me near the ocean. In my many (over 10) years of experience I have met some friends I will keep for life and learned some valuable lessons (like never forget your water or sunscreen!) and tricks (such as the opti pretzel) along the way. I have sailed in many fleets such as the Opti, 420, 29er, Farr30, J22 and 49erFX and loved different aspects of each one. I have also attended big regattas like the Canada Summer Games in the 29er with fellow coach Sophie Carter. After coaching for 3 years at RNSYS I am so excited to starting my fourth year at LYC! My love for sailing encourages me to inspire young sailors every day since I believe sailing is a sport for everyone.
My favourite sailing memory was when I was in my first year of C420. Me and my partner were drifting around on a light wind day and were having fun jumping in the water, walking around the mast and trapping off both sides of the boat. Our coach came over and suggested we try a new trick. This was the upside-down handstand! Both me and my partner learned to cartwheel into this position at the same time and this was the day I added a super fun move to impress my teammates with. So many laughs were shared that day as we had fun trapping upside-down in a handstand position and falling in the water. I can't wait to make new memories like this with all the sailors at LYC this summer!
My favourite ice cream flavour is moon mist.
Sydney Meisner
Sydney started sailing at LYC when she was 11. She started in Echo, and progressed through opti to crewing c420s. Sydney has had a lot of fun in the sailing program during the years that she was a sailor in it. She has made many great friendships with people from all over the world! Sailing is Sydney’s favourite sport and she hopes to help her young sailors become the best sailors that they can while having fun and making lasting friendships, just like she has. Sydney has coached for two years, and is very excited to get back to the yacht club and all of the fun that happens there!
Hometown: Summerside, PEI
Favourite Sailing Memory: I think that my favourite memory from sailing at LYC would have to be the first time that I ever trapped. I was sailing with someone I didn’t usually, and my coach came over and told me to start trapping. I did, and the moment I was up there, with the only thing holding me being a bungee, I decided that I never wanted to get back into the boat, but instead I wanted to keep feeling like I was flying.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: mint chocolate chip
Nickname: Syd
Sydney started sailing at LYC when she was 11. She started in Echo, and progressed through opti to crewing c420s. Sydney has had a lot of fun in the sailing program during the years that she was a sailor in it. She has made many great friendships with people from all over the world! Sailing is Sydney’s favourite sport and she hopes to help her young sailors become the best sailors that they can while having fun and making lasting friendships, just like she has. Sydney has coached for two years, and is very excited to get back to the yacht club and all of the fun that happens there!
Hometown: Summerside, PEI
Favourite Sailing Memory: I think that my favourite memory from sailing at LYC would have to be the first time that I ever trapped. I was sailing with someone I didn’t usually, and my coach came over and told me to start trapping. I did, and the moment I was up there, with the only thing holding me being a bungee, I decided that I never wanted to get back into the boat, but instead I wanted to keep feeling like I was flying.
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: mint chocolate chip
Nickname: Syd
Ava Livesey
Ava fell in love with the sport of sailing at the age of six while living in Melbourne, Australia. After learning to sail, she competed in numerous competitions across Australia including an Australian Opti Nationals; many annual State Championships; and an Olympic qualifier, the ISAF World Cup as an invited class. After moving to Perth, Australia she continued to sail Opti and also joined the BW8 Youth Keelboat Sailing Team, at the South of Perth Yacht Club. Since moving back to Canada in 2016, she joined LYC and competed in Opti for one last year before moving into C420 where she had fun competing in many local regattas ~ even enjoying some podium finishes. She has since completed her remaining CanSail levels in the Laser 4.7 and Laser Radial.
Hometown: Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
Favourite Sailing Memories: Some of my favorite memories are of the coaching from and time spent with both Manon Luther Kivell, who is an awesome Swiss National Laser and keelboat sailor; and her husband, Sam Kivell, a fellow Australian and Swiss National Team coach. Sam and Manon coached me in many valuable sailing techniques but more importantly how to be a gracious winner or loser and to always support your fellow sailors even if they are competitors. I also loved participating in the Women and Girls in Sailing training weekends at Blackrock, Australia. I met lots of awesome female sailors and mentors while learning to handle big waves, strong winds, and how to keep the pressure of competition in perspective.
Favourite Aspect of Sailing: I love the relationships that I have built along the way and consider my fellow LYC alumni LTS sailors my local ‘squad’. I have met amazing sailors from all over the world; developed cherished friendships; enjoyed a ton of fun; and benefited from generous and knowledgeable mentors who have changed me for the better. I hope to pass on my love of sailing to this season’s LTS sailors.
Ava fell in love with the sport of sailing at the age of six while living in Melbourne, Australia. After learning to sail, she competed in numerous competitions across Australia including an Australian Opti Nationals; many annual State Championships; and an Olympic qualifier, the ISAF World Cup as an invited class. After moving to Perth, Australia she continued to sail Opti and also joined the BW8 Youth Keelboat Sailing Team, at the South of Perth Yacht Club. Since moving back to Canada in 2016, she joined LYC and competed in Opti for one last year before moving into C420 where she had fun competing in many local regattas ~ even enjoying some podium finishes. She has since completed her remaining CanSail levels in the Laser 4.7 and Laser Radial.
Hometown: Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
Favourite Sailing Memories: Some of my favorite memories are of the coaching from and time spent with both Manon Luther Kivell, who is an awesome Swiss National Laser and keelboat sailor; and her husband, Sam Kivell, a fellow Australian and Swiss National Team coach. Sam and Manon coached me in many valuable sailing techniques but more importantly how to be a gracious winner or loser and to always support your fellow sailors even if they are competitors. I also loved participating in the Women and Girls in Sailing training weekends at Blackrock, Australia. I met lots of awesome female sailors and mentors while learning to handle big waves, strong winds, and how to keep the pressure of competition in perspective.
Favourite Aspect of Sailing: I love the relationships that I have built along the way and consider my fellow LYC alumni LTS sailors my local ‘squad’. I have met amazing sailors from all over the world; developed cherished friendships; enjoyed a ton of fun; and benefited from generous and knowledgeable mentors who have changed me for the better. I hope to pass on my love of sailing to this season’s LTS sailors.
Helena Gow
Helena has been sailing for as long as she can remember, and has loved every minute of it. She began sailing Opti's, the class in which she also competed in her first regattas, including two national championships. After Opti's, she raced c420s for a few years before moving into the laser class. She spent 10 years in the LTS program, and this summer will be her third year coaching here! Helena is very excited to share her passion for sailing with her sailors this summer!
Hometown: Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
Favourite Sailing Memory: I’ve made so many incredible memories over my summers spent sailing. I think I have to mention my last summer in the LTS program here at LYC here though. I was super determined to pass my CANSail 6 that year, taking every chance I had to improve my skills. That summer I put in so much effort on my own, as well as discussing sailing theory with my fellow sailors on our off-time. I really felt that summer that my teammates and I pushed each other to improve. I think the hard work we all put in paid off for each of us at the end of the summer! I loved how we all pushed each other to become better through collaboration and healthy competition, it was definitely one of the best team dynamics I’ve ever experienced!
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Chocolate
Helena has been sailing for as long as she can remember, and has loved every minute of it. She began sailing Opti's, the class in which she also competed in her first regattas, including two national championships. After Opti's, she raced c420s for a few years before moving into the laser class. She spent 10 years in the LTS program, and this summer will be her third year coaching here! Helena is very excited to share her passion for sailing with her sailors this summer!
Hometown: Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
Favourite Sailing Memory: I’ve made so many incredible memories over my summers spent sailing. I think I have to mention my last summer in the LTS program here at LYC here though. I was super determined to pass my CANSail 6 that year, taking every chance I had to improve my skills. That summer I put in so much effort on my own, as well as discussing sailing theory with my fellow sailors on our off-time. I really felt that summer that my teammates and I pushed each other to improve. I think the hard work we all put in paid off for each of us at the end of the summer! I loved how we all pushed each other to become better through collaboration and healthy competition, it was definitely one of the best team dynamics I’ve ever experienced!
Favourite Ice Cream Flavour: Chocolate
Sam Barbara
Sam started sailing when he was 10 after moving to Halifax. While racing Opti's at LYC he had tons of fun competing in many regattas and spending all summer on the water. He then spent 2 years in c420's competing in as many regattas as possible including placing 2nd at the Canadian National Championships. Recently, he has raced Lasers and keelboats. He spent 2021-22 sailing on the tall Ship the Alex-2 (alex-2.de) and crossed the Atlantic ocean twice!! The memories and friends he has made through sailing are some of his favorites. He loves sailing more than anything and wants to share that experience with everyone!
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Favourite Sailing Memory: Sunsets and sunrises on the Atlantic Ocean. Climbing the masts on the Alex-2. Going out on the windiest days with the laser team...there's nothing more fun than flying downwind while surfing a massive wave.
Favourite Ice cream: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Sam started sailing when he was 10 after moving to Halifax. While racing Opti's at LYC he had tons of fun competing in many regattas and spending all summer on the water. He then spent 2 years in c420's competing in as many regattas as possible including placing 2nd at the Canadian National Championships. Recently, he has raced Lasers and keelboats. He spent 2021-22 sailing on the tall Ship the Alex-2 (alex-2.de) and crossed the Atlantic ocean twice!! The memories and friends he has made through sailing are some of his favorites. He loves sailing more than anything and wants to share that experience with everyone!
Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Favourite Sailing Memory: Sunsets and sunrises on the Atlantic Ocean. Climbing the masts on the Alex-2. Going out on the windiest days with the laser team...there's nothing more fun than flying downwind while surfing a massive wave.
Favourite Ice cream: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Jane Chiasson
Hi my names Jane, I’m 19, and I’m super excited to be back at the club this year! I’ve been sailing at LYC for probably 10 years, starting when I was 7 and moving from Echos to Opti, 420’s and then Laser and competing in regattas around the south shore. I’ve made so many life long friends here, and now that I’ve been able to make an impact on some students last year, I’m so excited to watch them learn and grow further! It’s an amazing feeling when teaching people about your passions. So when you get to watch when kids execute those passions and skills it’s even better. Especially when you see the smiles on peoples faces when they know they’ve accomplished something great. Being a part of this community is one of the best things that’s ever happens to me, so I’m glad, and honoured that I get to pass that feeling on.
Hometown: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
My favorite memory is when I was in C420, and my skipper and I won our first regatta! We had crossed the finish line and looked at each other, and just yelled out of joy!
My favorite Ice cream flavor is Double chocolate mousse.
My nickname is Janeth.
Hi my names Jane, I’m 19, and I’m super excited to be back at the club this year! I’ve been sailing at LYC for probably 10 years, starting when I was 7 and moving from Echos to Opti, 420’s and then Laser and competing in regattas around the south shore. I’ve made so many life long friends here, and now that I’ve been able to make an impact on some students last year, I’m so excited to watch them learn and grow further! It’s an amazing feeling when teaching people about your passions. So when you get to watch when kids execute those passions and skills it’s even better. Especially when you see the smiles on peoples faces when they know they’ve accomplished something great. Being a part of this community is one of the best things that’s ever happens to me, so I’m glad, and honoured that I get to pass that feeling on.
Hometown: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
My favorite memory is when I was in C420, and my skipper and I won our first regatta! We had crossed the finish line and looked at each other, and just yelled out of joy!
My favorite Ice cream flavor is Double chocolate mousse.
My nickname is Janeth.
Zac Barbara
Hi I'm Zac and I have been sailing at LYC since I was 10 years old. I love sailing and I enjoy helping kids discover to love it as well! I also coach skiing and so I am very experienced in working with young kids.
My favourite sailing memory is Island Day. We would race to the island in our boats which was a ton of fun. We would then tie up the boats to the buoys on Bachman's Island and spend the entire day there on the beach. Getting to race and then being able to spend the entire day on the beach with everyone was awesome!
I love racing with my dog Gracie. She is a pirate dog and is very comfortable on sailboats.
Hi I'm Zac and I have been sailing at LYC since I was 10 years old. I love sailing and I enjoy helping kids discover to love it as well! I also coach skiing and so I am very experienced in working with young kids.
My favourite sailing memory is Island Day. We would race to the island in our boats which was a ton of fun. We would then tie up the boats to the buoys on Bachman's Island and spend the entire day there on the beach. Getting to race and then being able to spend the entire day on the beach with everyone was awesome!
I love racing with my dog Gracie. She is a pirate dog and is very comfortable on sailboats.
Franscesca Elliot
Francesca: I have been sailing for the past 10 years. I started out learning how to sail on an Opti, in both Chester’s Learn to Sail Program, and by the sea in England. I sailed an Opti for quite a few years, before moving onto sailing a c420 for 4 years, which I just loved. In my free time i also help teach drama lessons which i've enjoyed so much, so i can't wait to get to work with kids this summer, as i loved doing that. Through sailing I have learnt so many skills, made lots of brilliant friends, and have had many great experiences, which is why I’m so excited to coach this summer, so that I can help others share my love for sailing.
Favourite sailing memory: When I took part in my first Regatta. I remember it was a very windy day and I was not feeling that confident about racing, but a few seconds into the race it very quickly became the most exciting thing ever, as we began flying across the racecourse, with me dangling out on trap, which I thought was extremely cool!
Favourite ice cream flavour: Mint Choc Chip.
Hometown: London, England.
Nickname: Cesca.
Francesca: I have been sailing for the past 10 years. I started out learning how to sail on an Opti, in both Chester’s Learn to Sail Program, and by the sea in England. I sailed an Opti for quite a few years, before moving onto sailing a c420 for 4 years, which I just loved. In my free time i also help teach drama lessons which i've enjoyed so much, so i can't wait to get to work with kids this summer, as i loved doing that. Through sailing I have learnt so many skills, made lots of brilliant friends, and have had many great experiences, which is why I’m so excited to coach this summer, so that I can help others share my love for sailing.
Favourite sailing memory: When I took part in my first Regatta. I remember it was a very windy day and I was not feeling that confident about racing, but a few seconds into the race it very quickly became the most exciting thing ever, as we began flying across the racecourse, with me dangling out on trap, which I thought was extremely cool!
Favourite ice cream flavour: Mint Choc Chip.
Hometown: London, England.
Nickname: Cesca.
Amélie Monvoisin
Amélie started sailing when she was 8 at LYC. She was part of the LYC race team, racing C420s. She has loved sailing for as long as she can remember and looks forward to spending her summers in Nova Scotia on the ocean! Amélie was always inspired by her coaches over the years and she is very exited to have the opportunity to be an inspiration for new young sailors!
Favorite sailing memory: My favorite sailing memory is definitely when I finally got the hang of trapping. It was my second week back sailing after a long school year and it was crazy windy out. My coach was following behind my boat yelling at me « flatter! Flatter! » and I just let myself be held up by the bungee. It felt like I was flying it was truly special!
Hometown: Ottawa
Favourite ice cream flavour: cookies and cream or rainbow swirl
Nickname: Ames
Amélie started sailing when she was 8 at LYC. She was part of the LYC race team, racing C420s. She has loved sailing for as long as she can remember and looks forward to spending her summers in Nova Scotia on the ocean! Amélie was always inspired by her coaches over the years and she is very exited to have the opportunity to be an inspiration for new young sailors!
Favorite sailing memory: My favorite sailing memory is definitely when I finally got the hang of trapping. It was my second week back sailing after a long school year and it was crazy windy out. My coach was following behind my boat yelling at me « flatter! Flatter! » and I just let myself be held up by the bungee. It felt like I was flying it was truly special!
Hometown: Ottawa
Favourite ice cream flavour: cookies and cream or rainbow swirl
Nickname: Ames
