  | Chatham Yacht ClubTEACHING LOVE OF SAILING ON PLEASANT BAY SINCE 1921 |
- Home
- Sailing School Staff
Meet your Sailing School Instructors |
This page will be updated as staff information and bios become available.
Program Director: Beth Herbst
| PROGRAM DIRECTORBeth Herbst
Our staff is the foundation of our program. This year, we have a mixture of returning and new staff. The 2026 instructors are racing enthusiasts, sportsmanlike competitors, and passionate teachers. They are a truly inspirational group for younger sailors to learn from. Our Summer 2026 staff will build on CYC’s reputation as a yacht club valuing sportsmanship, competition, and learning. Every student has a place in our program. We hope that they will leave sailing school each day having learned something. |
|
|
BROOKE BARTLETT Brooke Bartlett is from Wayland, Massachusetts, and spends her summers in Chatham. She has been sailing at CYC since the age of six and is a member of the 420 race team. Over the years, Brooke has achieved success at numerous regattas across Cape Cod, earning multiple podium finishes. Brooke’s favorite part of coaching sailing is building connections with her students, spending time outdoors, and helping young sailors grow and improve their skills on the water. She loves watching her students gain confidence and develop a passion for the sport.
This summer, Brooke is especially excited to spend time with friends and enjoy everything CYC has to offer. When she’s not out on the water, you can usually find her at the hockey rink. She also holds a Level 1 Teaching Certification. |
ROSIE BENSON Rosie is 16 years old and going into her junior year of high school. She goes to school at Broadneck high in Annapolis Maryland. For summer 25’ she is working as the class lead for crew class! She has sailed at CYC for 10 years and is her 3rd year teaching. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family, loves to paint, go for walks, and read when not on the water. She is super excited to be at CYC!ummer and make new memories with our sailors! |
|
|
| JULIA SCIPIONE Julia is from Hingham and began sailing in the Chatham Yacht Club program at the age of eight, after previously sailing in her hometown. Over the past ten years, she has competed in numerous regattas around Cape Cod, splitting her time evenly between Optis and 420s. Julia also sailed on Hingham High School’s varsity sailing team and is currently a rising sophomore on Connecticut College’s varsity sailing team. Her junior sailing highlights include picket fencing the West Dennis Invitational in 2024, earning 2nd place at a Junior Olympic Regatta at Beverly Yacht Club in 2025, achieving three 2nd-place finishes at the Gill Trophy from 2023 to 2025, and securing five podium finishes at SMSA’s team racing championship, the Durant Trophy, between 2021 and 2025. She is entering her sixth season coaching at Chatham Yacht Club, with five of those seasons focused on Optis. Julia holds multiple certifications, including US Sailing Level 1 Instructor, First Aid/CPR, SafeSport Training, and Boat-ed certification. |
Opti ADVANCED Instructor:
ELI GERTSBERG |
Opti Intermediate InstructorS:
JACK KURTOWICZ |
| LEAH PARKER Leah is an instructor for the Opti Beginner/Intermediate classes for her fourth summer instructing. She lives in Princeton, NJ in the winter and is a rising senior at Hopewell Valley Central High School. She grew up sailing at Stage Harbor, moving to CYC last summer. This is her 5th and final year racing 420s but plans to continue racing in college. When not at CYC, you can find her playing/teaching tennis and making art. She can’t wait for another amazing summer filled with helping students fall in love with sailing and making memories! |
Opti Beginner Instructors:
JACK KURTOWICZ |
| LEAH PARKER Leah is an instructor for the Opti Beginner/Intermediate classes for her fourth summer instructing. She lives in Princeton, NJ in the winter and is a rising senior at Hopewell Valley Central High School. She grew up sailing at Stage Harbor, moving to CYC last summer. This is her 5th and final year racing 420s but plans to continue racing in college. When not at CYC, you can find her playing/teaching tennis and making art. She can’t wait for another amazing summer filled with helping students fall in love with sailing and making memories! |
|
Helmsman & Race Team (420s)420 Race Coach
| SOPHIE DART Raised between Princeton, NJ and Chatham, Sophie has been sailing at Chatham Yacht Club since she was 8 years old. Outside of CYC, she competed at the varisty level for Tabor Academy and will continue her sailing career at Tufts University in the fall. As Head Race Coach, she is committed to helping sailors strengthen their racing skills, build confidence on the water, and develop discipline, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of the sport. This summer, she looks forward to returning to Chatham and contributing to a focused, supportive, and competitive racing program at CYC. She currently holds a US Sailing Level 1 and Level 2 Certification. |
Helmsman Lead Instructor:
| ALEX WESP Alex is a year-round resident of Cape Cod and lives in Harwich. Outside of sailing and coaching, he enjoys fishing with friends and playing hockey. This summer marks his tenth season at Chatham Yacht Club, where he developed his passion for sailing through the junior program. Alex competed on the C420 Race Team at CYC for four years and has trained at some of the top C420 clinics in the country, including the 2025 Brooke E. Gonzalez Clinic. His dedication and consistent training have led to strong performances at major regattas, including Gold Fleet finishes at the 2025 C420 Midwinters and the 2025 C420 Nationals. This summer, Alex will serve as Helmsman Class Director, where he is excited to share his experience and help sailors improve both their technical skills and racing confidence. He is especially passionate about watching his students develop, and succeed on the race course. He currently holds a US Sailing Level 1 Instructor Certification and is scheduled to earn his Level 2 Certification in June 2026. |
Helmsman InstuctorS:
SAM BARTLETT |
| JAMIE ESLICK Jamie is from Southborough, MA, and lives in Harwich, MA, in the summer. He has been sailing at the Chatham Yacht Club since 2016. Throughout his time at CYC, Jamie has achieved several podium finishes in regattas across Cape Cod. His favorite and most recent feat was winning the SMSA Junior Team Racing Championship in 2025 with the CYC 420 Race Team. Jamie's favorite part of coaching is being able to connect with students, have fun, and be active. He is looking forward to contributing to the CYC community for another summer and helping his class members learn and grow as sailors. Outside of sailing, Jamie likes to play golf, hang out with friends, fish, and skimboard. Jamie holds an American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification and a US Sailing Level 1 certification. |
|
| BROOKE BISHOP Brooke is from Parkton, Maryland, and spends her summers in Chatham, Massachusetts. This will be her fourth year at Chatham Yacht Club and her third year as an instructor. One of her favorite things each summer is racing in the CYC regatta with Ada. She loves helping kids learn how to sail while having fun and making great memories. Brooke also looks forward to seeing her summer friends every day and spending time out on the water. When she’s not at CYC, you can find her at the beach or on the golf course with her family. She is working toward earning her US Sailing Level 1 Instructor Certification in May 2026. |
| ADA ELIZABETH HUBBELL Ada, who spends her winters in Acton, Massachusetts and summers in Chatham is an experienced sailor entering her sixth year at CYC and her third year on the 420 Race Team. Among her favorite accomplishments are receiving the Mighty Mary and S. Arthur Peterson Dickson Award, as well as earning first place as part of the Race Team in the Durant Trophy last year. What she loves most about teaching and coaching sailing is helping kids learn to sail and share in an activity she is so passionate about, along with spending time on the water. This summer, she is especially looking forward to being on the water with friends and family, racing with the Race Team and in the series races, and enjoying highlights like Karaoke Night and the Regatta Dinner. When she’s not sailing at CYC, Ada can be found playing field hockey, rowing, skiing, spending time with friends, playing pickleball, or playing with her dog. She also holds Lifeguard and CPR/AED certifications and plans to obtain her Level One certification before the season begins. |
|
JUNIOR Instructors Junior instructors work across all fleets. |
 OPTIS |
|
|
CHASE BERNER MARET DOWNS ANNAMARIE HUBBELL LUCY LIPSON JAKE PARKER LUCY RICHMOND |
EMERY BENSON SEAN CAHALY ROQUE COEHLO | JUDE LUCIANO LUCAS PROIA AINSLEY REYDEL LILLIAN STODDARD |
Chatham Yacht Club | P.O. Box 531 | North Chatham, MA 02650
CYC is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization. Your donations are tax deductible!