Adult Program Keelboat Instructors
Michael Dietl
Michael finds an attachment to all things aquatic, and his passion is contagious. He's thoroughly qualified, teaching privately and through various sailing schools since 2001. He's a CYA-certified instructor of Keelboat, PCOC, and VHF Radio, and a Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary licensed Search-And-Rescue instructor and OCC and Sarex evaluator.
Michael is constantly improving his skill set, taking 1-2 Canadian Coast Guard courses and teaching 2-3 Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary courses each year. He has also participated in SAR games in both Ontario and Nova Scotia. He operates his pride and joy, a CS33 sailboat, out of Fifty Point Marina, and races as a crew member on an Express 30.
Steve McPhee
Steve caught the sailing bug and quickly worked his way from dinghy sailing 420s on Conestoga Lake to sailing his Alberg 37 through the Carribbean. Steve lived aboard and cruised 3,500 nm through the Caribbean with his lovely wife Ashley and trusty dog Bella. He's since returned home and is excited to pass on his knowledge, get others passionate about the sport, and to get people out cruisng the Great Lakes and beyond. Steve is a certified Sail Canada instructor of Basic Cruising and PCOC..
Adult Program and Youth Program Dinghy Instructors
Abby Brown
Abby is a CanSail 1&2 instructor and also runs our Chutes and Wires program and race nights. She was born and raised in BC but moved out here in 2018 to get her bachelor's degree in psychology with a focus on children from McMaster University and is currently in her 3rd year. She has been sailing for as long as she can remember and has spent time on the Royal Victoria Yacht Club sailing team where she sailed both 420's and 29ers, competing at a number of regattas including the Sail Canada Youth Championships. She is also an avid keelboat sailor, competing at both the national and international level. She can't wait to get out on the water this summer and have some fun in the sun!
Elias Winword
Elias started sailing with PDYC Sailing School when he was 11. He worked with the PDYCSS as a CanSail 1 and 2 coach (2018, 2019) and head coach in 2020 and is happily returning in 2021 as a second year as head coach. Eli also helps coach the adult sailing program. Eli has competed with the PDYSCC Racing Team since 2015 competing in regattas every summer. In his personal life, Eli is a student at McMaster University studying Integrated Science with a focus on physics.
Mate Marshalko
All instructors are Certified by Sail Canada and have Standard First Aid, PCOC, CanSail Fundamentals, Boat Rescue, VHF radio licence, a healthy sense of humour and a Can-Do attitude. Quite simply, they’re the best.
