Our Staff
Welcome to the heart of our sailing community – the dedicated individuals who make up the passionate team at our sailing school. Our staff is comprised of enthusiastic professionals, certified instructors, and experienced sailors, all committed to creating a vibrant and educational environment for our students. Each member brings a unique blend of expertise, love for the sport, and a genuine desire to share the joys of sailing with learners of all ages. Get to know the faces behind the sails who are here to guide, inspire, and ensure a memorable sailing experience for every participant.
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In the interest of safety, security and well-being of everyone involved with LWSA, the organization adheres to a policy of conducting background checks on all directors, staff, and ongoing volunteers. You may access it here.

Theresa Martens
Executive Director
Theresa Martens has joined LWSA as our new Executive Director. She has an extensive background as a leader, coach, and manager - and is an elite skier as well!
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Theresa is very excited to meet you and your children! She grew up sailing and spent every summer weekend living on her family's sailboat. She loves to sail and is thrilled to help kids learn to love it too. Theresa believes the staff at LWSA is the best and that the program is truly something special. Families can look forward to a great experience all around. Please feel free to stop by and say hello—or reach out to her any time at theresa@lwsa.org.

Anna LaDue
Instructor
Anna started working at LWSA in 2020, but recently took a few years off while starting out at Maine Maritime Academy. She is studying Marine Transportation Operations and pursuing a minor in Sailing Training and Instruction. She has spent the last two summers traveling the world on big ships and training to get her Coast Guard Unlimited 3rd Mates License. While at school she has been on the sailing team racing 420s, taking many interesting sailing courses, and teaching other students how to sail in the afternoons. She is excited to come back to New Hampshire and teach at LWSA again!
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Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Gabe Bates
Instructor
Bio Comin Soon!
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Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Josh Thistle
Instructor
Josh has been sailing with LWSA for 7 years. This is going to be his third year working for LWSA and second year as an instructor. He lives in Massachusetts but spends his summers in Alton Bay. He’s going into his senior year at Bridgewater-Raynham high school in Bridgewater Massachusetts, where he is the captain of the ultimate frisbee team along with throwing shot-put and weight toss for there track and field team. When not sailing he enjoys fishing, boating, and snowmobiling in the winter.​
Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Audrey Carrillo
Junior Instructor
Bio Coming Soon!
Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Wyatt Burns
Junior Instructor
Wyatt Burns has been sailing with LWSA for six years, and this will be his second summer as a junior instructor. His favorite LWSA activity is racing the 420s. He grew up in Northwest Florida, a place that started his love for the water. He now lives in Amherst New Hampshire, where he attends high school. In addition to sailing, Wyatt enjoys skiing, rock climbing, scuba diving, and kart racing.
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Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Winni Opel
Head Instructor
Winni Opel, named after Lake Winnipesaukee, grew up spending summers on the lake and enjoys the adventure of living on a Lake Winnipesaukee Island! She has sailed with LWSA since 2012, joined the ranks of Junior Instructor in 2018 and is thrilled to be LWSA's first female Head Instructor. She is currently a junior at University North Carolina where she is majoring in Environmental Science and Anthropology with a minor in GIS. When not sailing, she enjoys playing music, cooking, reading, hanging out with her family and being outdoors.
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Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, American Sailing Association Keelboat Sailing, Red Cross First Aid and CPR.​​​​​​​​​

Ben Lipson
Instructor
Ben Lipson, grew up In the Boston Massachusetts area moving up to the lakes region in middle school where he immediately fell in love with sailing. He has sailed with LWSA since 2022. He is currently enrolled at Moultonborough Academy. When not sailing, he enjoys practicing martial arts, the outdoors, collecting vintage items, and time with friends.​
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Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Grant Ferraro
Instructor
Grant Ferraro has been sailing with LWSA since 2021, became a junior instructor in 2024, and is super excited to be becoming an instructor for the 2025 season. He grew up in Florida, and has been around the ocean pretty much his whole life. He is a junior at Prospect Mountain High School in Alton, NH. Besides sailing, he loves to play the guitar, drum, listen to music, hang out with his siblings, ski, and swimming.
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Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Reed Wilcox
Instructor
Reed Wilcox is a sailor from New Hampshire who has been sailing with LWSA since he was 7 years old as a mighty mini. He is currently attending the Dublin school as a rising Junior and avid racer for the Dublin school. His favorite boat to sail is his laser that brought lots of fun last summer and filled his love for sailing. Outside of sailing he also enjoys mountain biking, skiing, circus, travel, and lacrosse.
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Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Finn LaDue
Junior Instructor
Finn lives in Canterbury, NH and has been sailing at LWSA since he was six years old. He has spent the past two summers as a junior instructor and loves sharing his passion for sailing with others. Finn is also a junior at Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts, where he sails on the school’s competitive team. Whether it’s water skiing, fishing, swimming, or surfing, Finn enjoys being on the water in just about every way and he especially enjoys his time teaching at LWSA.​
Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Bode McLean
Private & Adult Cordinator
Bode McLean has been sailing with LWSA for many years and is now an instructor at Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association. He has lived in the lakes region his whole life and attends Gilford High School as a rising junior. He loves to sail any chance he gets and loves to share his love for the sport with anyone he can. Bode is very excited to get out on the water for a great and exciting summer this year. Outside of sailing Bode is also an accomplished ski racer with the Gunstock Ski Club.
Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR
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Ella Stevens
Instructor
Ella Stevens has been sailing at LWSA since she was 8 years old. This summer is her third year working with LWSA. She goes to Belmont High School and is fortunate to live in the lakes region all year long. Ella found her love of sailing from a young age sailing with her family on Lake Winnipesaukee and loves working at LWSA to share that love. When she isn’t on the water, Ella is a competitive ski racer and also loves rock climbing, mountain biking, playing soccer, track in the spring, and being outside in general.
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Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Jasper Opel
Instructor
Jasper Opel is the fifth generation in his family to spend summers on the banks of Lake Winnipesaukee and fell in love with boats from a very young age. In 2020 his love for sailing was solidified when he had the opportunity to sail off the coast of Africa on The Morgenster, a tall ship based out of The Netherlands. He has sailed with LWSA since 2015 as a mighty mini and joined the ranks of LWSA staff as a Junior Instructor in 2022. In addition to sailing, he loves to wake surf, mountain bike, hang out with his sister and compete in model united nations. He is a rising Senior in a International Baccalaureate program in Tallahassee Florida where he spends his winters.
Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, American Sailing Association Keelboat Sailing, Red Cross First Aid and CPR.​​​​​​​​​

Andrew Hunter
Junior Instructor
Andrew Hunter is in his second year teaching and fourth year sailing here at LWSA. As the fifth generation of his family to spend summers at Lake Winnipesaukee, Andrew loves all things water sports: swimming, wakeboarding, wake surfing, water skiing, but he found his passion for sailing when he joined LWSA and discovered racing. A rising Freshman at Brooks School in North Andover, MA, Andrew is looking forward to helping LWSA students to improve and to share his love of the sport. When Andrew is not sailing, he enjoys playing soccer, lacrosse, and skiing in his free time.
Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Lucas Pearce
Junior Instructor
Lucas Pearce has sailed with LWSA since 2021, and is excited to join LWSA as a Junior Instructor for the first time this year. He is from North Carolina and is a current High School senior. When sailing, Lucas loves trapezing in high winds and sailing with friends. When he's not sailing, he likes skiing, playing board games, traveling, and playing the piano.
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Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR