STAFF Director: Roger O'Connor Head Coach: Sarah Smith Opti Race Coach: Joe Elliott Instructors: Parker Johnson, Kayla Spalding, Reese Lieser, Joaquin DesRochers, Nick Beggs Summer Instructors: Kieran Lyons, Sonia Kortenkamp Administrator: Suzanne De Stefano
ABOUT Roger grew up sailing and found his passion for racing at Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club on their junior race team. He gained early experience racing keelboats by doing foredeck at many West Coast events and skippering regattas such as Santa Barbara to King Harbor, Long Point, Long Beach Race Week, Cal Race Week and Yachting Cup. As a freshman, he helped create the sailing team at Palos Verdes High School with two other classmates. He headed down to San Diego State University and stayed active in sailing sparring with SDYC teams and helping with North Sails sail development practices for Worlds in multiple fleets. Eventually, Roger was recruited to coach for the University of Southern California and during his tenure they won their Conference Match Race Championships in 2016, went to Women's Dinghy College Nationals 3 years in a row and participated in the Men's Single-Handed Championship. While back up in the LA area, he was proud to coach his old high school team, who was a few places from qualifying for HS Co-ed Dinghy Nationals, into claiming a National's berth and a new top overall ranking for Palos Verdes High School.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS The following people donate their expertise and time to create, maintain and pave the way for the King Harbor Youth Foundation's future. They are dedicated to seeing KHYF sailors exceed their goals and become tomorrow's leaders. President Brandon Folkman Past President Erika Lieser Vice President Mark Spiwak Treasurer Mike Delanty Secretary Kristy Lenehan Members at Large Mark Spiwak, Graham Hebson, Steve Henry, Kristy Lenehan, Patrick Lenehan Andrew Beggs, Dorian Harris