Welcome to the introduction of our esteemed board members, the dedicated individuals who drive the vision and mission of our association forward with their expertise and passion.
President: Olivier Corbeil
Olivier is the President of the Squamish Windsports Society for 2025, after serving on the board for three years. With a deep-rooted passion for sailing in all its forms, Olivier grew up racing dinghies on the East Coast at the national level before transitioning to windsurfing and kiteboarding. Olivier is committed to leveraging both his entrepreneurial experience and his enthusiasm for the sport to help drive the continued growth and success of SWS. He looks forward to helping shape the future of Squamish as a premier destination for windsports and fostering a thriving, inclusive community.
Vice President: Loren Parfitt
Loren has been kiteboarding for 9 years. He learned to kite in Nitinat but was intimidated by kiting at the Spit in the early days. The scene has changed a lot since then and is much more welcoming. Since 2015 he might be there more than anyone on windy days. Living and working in Squamish he takes full advantage of the wind and If it's really cranking he will take a "long" lunch at work... He has spent a lot of time working with the current and past spit managers on the SWS systems in the sea can.
Treasurer: Sandy Heidebrecht
New to kiting, I discovered my passion for the sport in the summer of 2021. My ideal kite day involves chasing swells on a downwind wave session, fully immersed in the power of nature. With a background in film design and decoration, and a deep passion for filming and editing, I’ve witnessed firsthand how creativity and determination can transform challenges into opportunities. As the treasurer of the SWS, I’m excited to contribute my skills to support our mission, ensuring our community thrives and grows.
Secretary: Will Schwenger
Growing up in competitive sailing, Will has been a member of the SWS for over ten years and this will be his third season as Secretary. Of all the windsports disciplines, Will enjoys foiling the most and would probably tell you that he identifies as a "winger". In his day to day, Will is a project manager which gives him a good skill set for the role of Secretary to keep the SWS on task as it continues to navigate ongoing challenges. Will believes that it is important to maintain access to Howe Sound (for all - not just wind sport enthusiasts) and believes that the SWS should continue working with the various stakeholders to show that our community is committed to the stewardship of the waters we enjoy playing on.
Director of Operations: Tyler Cuthbert
Tyler has been kiting in Squamish since 2020, with 2025 being is second year on the board taking over the operations position this year. Tyler works in the advanced materials industry focusing on R&D and brings experience in strategy, planning, and execution. Tyler moved to Squamish in 2023 after stints in Victoria, Vancouver, and Switzerland (visit Silvaplana to get skunked quite often) since 2018 and is always down to talk all things technical including any topic about the materials that we use in our sport. Tyler enjoys the outdoors and can be found on any given day enjoying all the activities Squamish has to offer.
Communications: Allie Duncan
Allie has been kiting for 5 years and volunteering with the Squamish Windsports Society for 3. As the Communications Director, she’s always working on getting the word out about upcoming events. When she’s not working on SWS comms, you can find her biking, kiting, or skiing around squamish. If you see her out kiting, you’ll spot her with her signature pink hat—don’t be shy, she’s always up for a chat, or some help untangling lines (oops)
Sponsorship: Benedikt Fleischhacker
Ben grew up in Germany and moved to Canada in 2021. He began kitesurfing over a decade ago in Italy and has traveled extensively across Europe, exploring various kite spots. Now, he is thrilled to call Squamish Spit his home spot, where he continues to refine his skills while soaking in the stunning Sea to Sky views. With a professional background in sports marketing, Ben actively works to secure sponsorships for Squamish Windsports Society, fostering partnerships within and beyond the windsports industry.
Web design: Adrien Poirson
Adrien, a 35-year-old software engineer originally from France, moved to British Columbia to pursue his passion for mountain biking. However, his curiosity was piqued when he witnessed kiteboarders riding in Howe Sound. Fast forward a few years, and Adrien is now addicted to the thrill of the wind. He helps maintain and update the website, ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently.
Events: Sam Medysky
Sam is stoked to bring events back to the Spit next summer. With a lifetime of experience riding and competing at the sports highest levels Sam is a wealth of knowledge. Sam’s passion for wind sports is evident in everything he does and he brings the same energy to the SWS Operations team.
Grants: James Hoffele
James started kiteboarding in 2018 and has been harnessing the wind for joy ever since. He’s motivated to further long-term and affordable access in Squamish because we have such an awe-inspiring spot to grow the local wind community, bringing camaraderie and fun to more people.
Legal help: Chris Joseph
Chris joined the board because he thought it was time to put some effort back into an organization that has facilitated so much joy in his life! He started kiting in 2010 and had started surfing several years prior, and wanted more water-time. When he started kiting he realized that the sport of kiting wasn’t just a local substitute for surfing but an incredible new chapter in his life. He brings to the SWS board a professional background in resource and environmental management.
Directors at Large:
Axel Runner
He joined the SWS board because kiteboarding is the reason he moved to Squamish, and he’s passionate about the future and vision of the spot. He's been kiteboarding for six years, riding exclusively on a twin tip, and considers Squamish one of the best places in the world for smooth & consistent winds, flatwater progression, and a welcoming community. On the board, Axel is collaborating with Allie on communications, ensuring members stay informed through well-managed emails and newsletters, and helping grow the community by managing social media accounts.
Patricia Kost
She joined the Squamish wind sports Society in order to help save access to the ocean. Patricia arrived in Whistler in 1989 and Windsurfed off the Squamish spit. Full-time resident of Squamish since 2005. She believes that if we all banned together, we can save ocean access. Her happy place is of course out on the ocean . “ I feel privileged to be able to be out there with the salmon, seals, eagles and beautiful white mountains. I truly believe that this is something everyone should get to enjoy.”
Jamie Martin
Laris Thompson
After spending years training and competing around the world as a mogul skier of the Quebec freestyle ski team, Laris moved out west to Vancouver from Montreal in 2018 to finish is post secondary eduction in film production. Quickly falling back into the ski industry, Laris picked up kiting as a summer sport, in 2021, while working at North Shore Ski and Board and now tries to spend as much time on the water as possible. Having moved to Squamish to be closer to the mountains and the spit, have a look when out on the water, you might find Laris on his twin tip, surfboard, or foil, just trying to spend as much time out there as possible no matter the wind conditions.
Having quickly been introduced to the community because of work at North Shore Ski and Board, Laris knew it was important to get involved with the SWS to work to maintain access for all users of the waterfront, as well as building a community through events. If you see him on the spit, flag him down he is always happy to meet new people and have a chat.