Beginner Opti

Hi, my name is Halsey Carter, and this summer will be my first year coaching. I’m from Annapolis, Maryland, and have been sailing since I was six years old.

This fall, I will be a freshman at the University of Rhode Island, majoring in Mechanical Engineering and sailing on the URI Sailing Team.

I began racing Optimists at age ten and have experience racing FJs, J/22s, J/88s, C420s, and the WASZP. I was also the captain of the St. Mary’s High School sailing team for three years and placed top 10 among all female C420 skippers in North America as part of the One United race team!

I’m super excited to coach this summer!

Intermediate Opti

Hi, my name is James Rizek and I’m 20 years old. I’m a sophomore at Georgetown University studying Philosophy and Government on the Pre-Law track. I grew up sailing here in Annapolis, and continued sailing into high school, where I was captain of the Key School team for my junior and senior years. I now sail on the Georgetown Sailing Team, where we sail 420s and FJs competitively in the MAISA conference.

This is my second summer coaching at SSA and I am super excited to be returning to coach intermediate Optis!

Beginner/Intermediate Opti

Hi my name is James O’Leary, and this summer will be my second coaching optis at SSA. I am currently studying Business IT at Old Dominion University. I am also on the ODU sailing team, and I’ve sailed in Annapolis since I was 8 years old. I have 4 years of high-school sailing experience being captain of my team for 2 of them. Along with my High school experience I have sailed C420’s at a highly competitive level, participating in C420 Nationals and North Americans multiple years in a row. I am excited to be back for the season and excited to be working doing what I enjoy most!

Intermediate Opti

Hi my name is Henry Raymond and I’m beyond excited to return to SSA for my third year of coaching. I grew up sailing on Long Island sound at Noroton Yacht Club starting at the age of 8 years old. I’ve sailed Optis, lasers, Fevas, and offshore boats. I enjoy racing J70s on Thursday nights with my father and sailing lasers in TESODS. I’m going into my senior year at Colorado State University double majoring in political science and history. I’m so excited to return to my SSA family of coaches for another incredible summer!

ILCA 6 Race Team

ILCA 4 Development Race Team

Hi, I’m Nathan Jensen, a skipper on the St. Mary’s College of Maryland sailing team, class of 2027. I currently study Economics, Business Administration, and Political Science at St. Mary’s. I learned to sail at age eight on the Chesapeake Bay and have extensive racing experience in Optis and ILCAs. I spent two years on the SSA ILCA Race Team, traveling to major regattas, including many major ILCA North America events and two ILCA 6 Youth World Championships. 

This summer, I’m excited to help the next generation of sailors build strong fundamental racing skills and techniques while emphasizing confidence, enjoyment, and a genuine love for being on the water. My goal is to create a positive, fun, and supportive environment where young sailors can grow, challenge themselves, and develop a foundation that will serve them not only in the ILCA class, but throughout their sailing journey.

29er Development Race Team (Blue Fleet)

Eric began his sailing journey at age 8 in Switzerland, starting on his family’s keelboat. After competing nationally in Optimist racing, he progressed to racing dinghies, including the 420 and 29er. As a teenager, he skippered keelboats and later served as a tactician on a high-performance 28ft catamaran, competing in Mediterranean offshore series and contributing to foiling projects in Switzerland. During COVID, he shifted to coaching, where he established a 29er fleet at his home club. He has since dedicated himself to coaching the 29er class intensively across Switzerland. Beyond his sailing expertise, Eric also holds a teaching degree.

Opti Green Fleet

Marina Conde, from Palma de Mallorca, Spain, began her sailing journey at the age of 8 in the Optimist class before moving to the 29ers. She earned several national medals in the 29er class, including a gold medal in 2024.

Marina has also competed in various European and World Championships, where she placed 14th at the Youth World Championships in 2024.

Prior to coming to the U.S., Marina coached Optimists at the Real Club Náutico de Palma.

She is now studying Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics at Old Dominion University, where she is also a member of the sailing team.

Opti RWB Race Team