Our Staff | LWSA | Lake Winnipesaukee, Gilford, New Hampshire

Staff

Executive Director

Chad Davis is in his 2nd year as Executive Director at LWSA and 27th year as a Physical Education teacher in the Shaker Regional School District at Belmont Middle School in Belmont, New Hampshire. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he is a Building Team Leadership Member, Unified Arts Leader, mentor for future physical education teachers and Head Unified Basketball Coach. Chad is also a certified New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association sports official for Soccer, Basketball and Women’s Lacrosse, and has worked multiple semifinal and final tournament games. Lastly, he is on the Board of Directors for 603 United, a nonprofit organization offering social inclusion activities for adults with and without intellectual disabilities. In Chad's spare time, his hobbies include watching his kids participate in extracurricular activities, boating, exercising, reading, downhill skiing, attending sporting events, going out to dinner with his family as well as enjoying all that the Lakes Region has to offer. Chad and his family reside in Laconia, NH.

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 in her second year as LWSA's Head Instructor. She is currently a sophomore at Connecticut College where she enjoys racing with the Connecticut College Sailing team and is majoring in Environmental Studies and Anthropology. When not sailing, she enjoys playing music, cooking, reading, hanging out with her brother and being outdoors.

Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, American Sailing Association Keelboat Sailing, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Adult and Private Lesson Coordinator

Toby Wilkinson is the LWSA Adult and Private Lesson Coordinator. Toby attended LWSA as a camper in 2012, and has been working at the sailing school for seven years. Toby grew up in Sanbornton NH, graduated from Proctor Academy in 2021, and is currently studying biology at Colorado College. Outside of sailing and school he enjoys playing guitar, running, biking, and backpacking.

Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Instructors

Jessie Trimper started at LWSA as a camper in the summer of 2017 and immediately grew to love sailing. She spent the following few years continuing taking lessons, started as a Junior instructor in the summer of 2020 and this will be her third year as an instructor. Jessie is currently studying paralegal studies in college and enjoys being a hostess at Gibbet Hill Grill. In her free time, Jesse enjoys paddle boarding with her dog Rocky, painting, and hanging out with her seven siblings.

Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Tristan Reinhold has been sailing with LWSA for about nine years now and he has been an instructor for three of those years and this will be his fourth. He goes to Gilford High School as a senior and attending Maine Maritime in the fall. Tristan loves sailing and has been doing it all my life. He has two sailboats that he loves to sail on and he also likes sailboat racing. In his free time Tristan loves lacrosse, skiing, and surfing.

Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Viola Henry is in her second year teaching at LWSA and has been sailboat racing for many years! She is excited to be back this year and enjoys the vibe at the sailing school! Viola is from Cohasset, Massachusetts and is a sophomore at Connecticut College. In her free time in the summer, she enjoys racing J70s with her dad at their local yacht club. When she’s not on the water, she often spends time reading, outdoors, or crafting.

Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Murphy Trimper has been sailing at LWSA for the past 7 years and started when he was 9 years old. This is his first year as an instructor and his 3rd year working at LWSA. Murphy grew up in Massachusetts and is currently going to the Groton Dunstable Regional high school. In Murphy’s free time he loves to play soccer and lacrosse, bike, and loves anything on the water

Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Bode McLean has been sailing with LWSA for many years and is now an instructor at Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association. I have lived in the lakes region my whole life and attend Gilford High School. I love to sail any chance I get and I love to share my love for the sport with anyone I can. I am very excited to get out on the water for a great and exciting summer this year. bode is also an accomplished ski racer with the Gunstock Ski Club.

Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Janelle Hassler signed up for her first week of sailing when she was 11 years old. She loved it so much she signed up for another two weeks. the following year she bought her own 420 and signed up for as many classes as she could take. Janelle has been a camper, a junior instructor, and now a second year certified instructor. When not sailing, Janelle loves competition dancing, skiing, jet skiing, and having fun with friends.

Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Junior Instructors

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 2016 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 play music. He is a rising sophomore in the Rickards High School International Baccalaureate program in Tallahassee Florida where he spends his winters.

Certifications: American Sailing Association Keelboat Sailing, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Reed Wilcox is a young sailor from New Hampshire currently living in Ethiopia, he has been sailing at LWSA since he was just 7 years old as a Mighty Mini, and he is super excited to be returning to LWSA for the second year as a JI! Reed's favorite boat to sail is the J-80. This summer he is most excited about working with all our future campers and staff and having a good time on the lake. When he is not sailing he loves to ski, unicycle, and go mountain biking.

Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Ella Stevens has been sailing at LWSA since she was 8 years old. This is her first year as a Junior Instructor. She lives in Belmont, New Hampshire and will be starting her Freshman year this fall. Ella loves sailing on her families’ boat, and when off the water, she is a competitive ski racer and loves to play soccer, mountain bike, and rock climb.

Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Calvin Kucera has been sailing with LWSA for many years but this is his first season as a Junior instructor for LWSA. He is currently in 11th grade at Moultonborough Academy. What he likes most about sailing is that you are using nature to propel you and the more you know about sailing the more fun you can have! His hobbies are sailing, mountain biking, running, skiing, and snowboarding!

Certifications: US Level 1 Sailing Instruction, Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Gabe Bates has been sailing at LWSA for 4 years and fell in love with sailing. This is his first year as a junior instructor. Gabe grew up in Gilmanton/Gilford NH. Gabe is an upcoming sophomore at Gilford High School. Outside of school and sailing Gabe likes to ski, snowboard, hike, camp, play sports, hang out with friends, and ride mountain bikes.

Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Josh Thistle has been sailing with LWSA for 4 years. This is going to be his first year working for LWSA as a junior instructor. He lives in Massachusetts but spends his summers in Alton Bay. He’s going into his sophomore year at Bridgewater-Raynham high school in Bridgewater Massachusetts. When not sailing he enjoys fishing, boating, and snowmobiling in the winter.

Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR

Oliver Leandro has been sailing with LWSA since he was 8 years old. This is his first year as a Junior Instructor. Oliver lives in Gilford, New Hampshire and is homeschooled. Along with sailing at LWSA Oliver has also sailed for UNH’s Mendums High School Team. Oliver is active in 4H and local Boy Scout Troop 243. When Oliver isn’t sailing he enjoys skiing, mountain biking, and hiking.

Certifications: Red Cross First Aid and CPR