Our Team

Meredith McCuskey

Sailing Director


Meredith has over a decade of experience sailing and holds a US Sailing Level 1, 2, 3 Head Instructor, STEM Reach Educator, Coastal Navigation, and multiple US Powerboating and USCG certifications. Growing up she raced Optis, 420s and Lasers in local regattas and Junior Olympic festivals. In 2016, she won Top Female Laser Sailor in Cleveland Junior Race Week. In 2018, she completed the Professional Mariner’s program at Orange Coast College’s School of Sailing and Seamanship in Newport Beach, CA. In 2022, she worked as a sailmaker for Chesapeake Sailmakers and Quantum Sails in Annapolis, MD. She has completed multiple boat deliveries including a 400 nautical mile journey from Carricou to St Maarten. She has continued to race in Laser frostbiting series and local keelboat regattas. Her patience has led her to participating in academic and sailing programs for students with learning / social / emotional difficulties as a tutor and coach. Her goal is to share the joys of sailing, foster teamwork, and empower the next generation of sailors. Meredith started instructing in 2016 and has coached all ages in Ohio, California, Maine, New York, Maryland, and Connecticut. On her time off, she enjoys hiking, exploring new coffee shops, and finding new ways to help others.
The positive memories I have from junior sailing have stayed with me for life and I’m happy I get to be a part of creating those memories for new sailors.

Niko Twilla

Assistant Sailing Director


Niko holds a US Sailing Level 3 Head Instructor Certification, and has a BA in Recreation Management and Leadership from WWU. He grew up sailing on high school and collegiate teams in Washington, which inspired him to pursue a career in creating life-changing recreation opportunities. When not racing boats, he will use any vehicle he can find to explore and appreciate the environments around him.
Personal agency, empowerment, and unbridled joy from my students are my reward for a successful day in sailing!

Juan Luis Videla

Summer Race Team Coach


Since I started sailing at the age of 8, I have never stopped. Nowadays sailing is not just the sport I practice; it’s my life, my family, and my friends. I represented my club in regional and national championships. I got the first place in Argentinian ranking in 2016. Also, I represented Argentina in international championships, raced in three Laser Worlds, in 2012 (4.7), Youth in 2016 (Radial) and Youth World Sailing in 2016 (Radial). My biggest conquest was winning the 2017 South American Championship in Mar del Plata, Argentina, over 150 sailors from South America in one of my favorite places to sail. Now while I’m finishing studying Civil Engineering I enjoy the water through coaching, kiteboarding, kite foiling and wake foiling. If I’m not in the water, I am studying or hiking mountains.
I think the best part of being a coach is sharing knowledge and tools with the kids, including good practices to sail and live life.

Nico Konyk

Sailing Instructor


Nico currently sails on the Narrows Race Team for Gig Harbor high school, and learned to sail in Gig Harbor through GHJS summer camps! He’s excited to share his sailing knowledge with others. When he’s not sailing, you could probably find him playing the violin.
I really enjoy working with the kids and helping them reach their full potential. I love seeing them challenge themselves, overcome their fears, and achieve things they might not have previously thought possible.

Hannah Welch

Sailing Instructor


Hannah currently sails on the Narrows Race Team for Bellarmine Preparatory School. She learned how to sail through GHJS summer camps and has been on the Narrows race Team for 4 years.
I am passionate about sailing and am excited to pass my sailing knowledge onto the next generation of sailors.

Bailey Rainbolt

Jellyfish Instructor


Bailey has been a passionate sailor on Narrows Race Team for three years, with four years of experience sailing in various boats, locations, and weather. As a sailing instructor, he is patient, knowledgeable, and fun. He especially loves working with the jellyfish class and believes that anyone can learn to sail with the right mentorship, walking away with a lifelong love of sailing.
Teaching sailing is my way of sharing my passion for the water with others and helping them discover the joy of harnessing the wind.

Will Embick

Jellyfish Instructor


Will has been sailing with the GHJS sailing program for two years. He currently is a part of the Narrows Race Team and sails for Bellarmine Preparatory School. His hobbies outside of sailing include coding, video games, and Scouts BSA.
I enjoy seeing so many kids become great sailors and have fun while they are learning”