SAY HELLO TO SYC'S 2024 JUNIOR SAILING INSTRUCTORS

Scroll through to learn some fun facts about our new crop of Sailing Instructors who can't wait to instill a love of sailing in our Juniors!

JONATHAN (JONNY) JUDGE, Head Instructor, (first season)

Hometown: Dublin, Ireland

Favorite Movie, Song & Food: Shrek, Acceptable in the 80s by Calvin Harris, Pasta

Favorite Sailing Moment: We organize an adventure course in my home club every year with an overnight camping trip on an island in Dublin Bay. I've had the privilege of partaking in these trips both as a junior and an instructor and for me there is nothing better than cruising and camping with my best friends.

Accomplishments:: I am an avid sailor, rugby player and distance runner. I competitively sailed Optis, Fevas and 420s winning some medals along the way. I played flanker for my school rugby team and continue to ply my trade for my local club and have won 2 Cups and many runners up medals!

JORDI HELME, Opti 1 Instructor, (second season)

Hometown: Greenwich, CT

Favorite Movie, Song & Boats: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Same Ol' Situation by Motley Crew, i420, Melges 24, Club FJ

Favorite Sailing Moment: One practice day leading up to the 2021 i420 Youth Worlds there was 8-12ft swell that allowed us to surf upwind. I had not experienced conditions like that before and I haven't since. Thrilling!

CONOR GORMAN, Junior Sailing Instructor, (first season)

Hometown: Dublin, Ireland

Favorite Movie, Song & Food: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (huge Star Wars nerd!). My favorite foods have to be a good carbonara or pizza. My favorite song depends on my mood, however right now it would have to be 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain' by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Favorite Sailing Moment: My most memorable and proud moments in my sailing career have to be travelling with the Irish Optimist teams to both Europeans in Italy and Bulgaria.

MALCOLM BLACKWELL, Junior Sailing Instructor, (fourth season)

Hometown: Norwalk, CT

Favorite Movie, Song & Food: Skyfall, The Wizard, and Sushi!

Favorite Sailing Moment: When Stamford Harbor comes into sight line at the end of the Vineyard or Block Island Race

Accomplishments: Three Vineyard Races, two Around Blocks, two Around Long Islands and many, many day races under my belt, along with being a bowman on a J133. This year, I bring to the table 8 years of teaching experience alongside general and children-specific coaching credentials. I hope you're all ready for another great summer!

CAOIMHE BYRNE, Junior Sailing Instructor, (first season)

Hometown: Dublin, Ireland

Favorite Song, Movie, Food: Mama Mia, Little Lion Man, Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Favorite Sailing Moment: Waking up at 4:30 in the morning to set sail and seeing the sunrise off the island of Vis in Croatia

Accomplishment: Second in silver fleet at Topper Worlds

EMILY RIORDAN, Junior Sailing Instructor, (first season)

Hometown: Dublin, Ireland

Favorite Movie, Song, Food: Harry Potter (all of them!), Dreams by Fleetwood Mac, Terry's Chocolate Orange

Favorite Sailing Moment: Sailing in Crookhaven in West Cork where we saw two whales and a pod of dolphins; we ended up playing with the dolphins for over an hour!

Accomplishment: Vice Female World Champion in 29er

SOPHIE GORMAN, Junior Sailing Instructor, (first season)

Hometown: Dublin, Ireland

Favorite Movie, Song & Food: Harry Potter ad the Prisoner of Azkaban, Let It Happen by Tame Impala, Ice Cream

Favorite Sailing Moment: My first time racing on a j109 it was super windy; we broached with the spinnaker up...pure exhilaration!

Accomplishment: Competed in the ILCA 4 Worlds

NICHOLAS HAHN, Junior Sailing Instructor, (first season)

Hometown: Norwalk, CT

Favorite Movie, Song & Boat: Home Alone, Wonderwall by Oasis, Laser/ILCA

Favorite Sailing Moment:Sailing to the lighthouse off of Greens ledge in Norwalk in a 15-20 Kt westerly, reaching and planing both ways and surfing on the way back with all of my friends next to me.

ARCHIE DALY, Junior Sailing Instructor, (first season)

Hometown: Dublin, Ireland

Favorite Movie, Song & Food: Fight Club, You and Me by Disclosure, Steak

Favorite Sailing Moment: Winning my first race in Optimists

Accomplishments: Competed in multiple international events in Optis and Lasers including two European and two World Championships

GET READY FOR AN EXCITING SUMMER '24 AT SYC!