Our Team
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!
Julia Sherry
West Shore Site Director
Julia has been with GHYC since 2017 and holds a US Sailing level one certification. Her sailing is split between Seattle and Hood River and includes a variety of boats and levels of racing with highlights being multiple national championships. In the winter she switches sports to to coach nordic ski racing in Montana. She is a student at the University of Washington where she rowed crew and studies Physiology. Julia practices yoga and enjoys running, biking and skiing (snow and water). Her hope is that her students will come to find as much joy, adventure, and learning in sailing as she has and that all leave camp with a smile, friends and an increased appreciation for nature.
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”