Meet your 2019 Board Members

October 20, 2019

 

Geoffrey "Chuck" Waterson President

Chuck has been kiteboarding for 16 years. He learnt to kite in New Zealand, where he is originally from but has travelled the world to find good kite spots. He and his wife, Alex, moved to Canada for business in 2014 and quickly settled in Squamish for the wind. Chuck has been on the SWS board for 5 years. In the summer you will usually find him on the water or sharing coaching tips from the beach. When he’s not kiting, Chuck is usually out enjoying the rest of the Squamish outdoor playground. 
 
Steve Tulk Vice President & Events

Steve started Kiteboarding in 2009 by taking 1 lesson with a now-defunct local Kite School. After a huge tangle with the instructor (!), he decided to teach himself. This led to many frustrating hours untangling lines and meeting new friends at the Spit. In 2013 he started KiteClash with some of these friends who wanted to see some pros kiting in the honey hole. 10 years later he is kiting and KiteClashing with his partner Sheila and his 2 kids Jordan and Griffin.

Joshua Viner Treasurer

Josh joined the board in 2015 after 5 summers of kiteboarding in Squamish. His first kite lessons took place near Wellington, NZ in 2009 and has been addicted ever since. Now living in Squamish, he spends most of his summer at the Spit when he isn’t travelling for work. His work in hospitality management has a strong correlation in keeping a close eye on the numbers.

Alan Linsley Secretary

Alan first kited at the Spit in 2001 but didn't get very far.  Life kept him out of the sport for about 15 years, but he never got rid of his Wipika Kite and reel leash. He came back to the sport a few years ago and is slowly progressing.  He joined the SWS Board two years ago.  The old kites are still in the garage, but the reel leash comes in handy for towing his daughter up Mountain Highway on family bike rides.

Alyssa Salloum Community Relations

Alyssa started kiteboarding after her friend showed her a video of a guy taking a lesson in extremely high wind where he flew very high out of the boat.  She learned how to kite in South East Asia bringing her new upwind abilities back to Squamish.  She has been kiting and mountain biking in Squamish for the last 7 years.  Alyssa has been an SWS staff member and has been on the Board for the past 5 years. She now is a workaholic Realtor in Whistler and Squamish which takes over her kiting time but of course, never tells kiters that.  

Brett Wilson Operations

Brett made his introduction onto the kitesurfing scene 7 years ago. He grew up racing Lasers and teaching sailing in English Bay. During University Brett’s friend pressured him into learning to kite. He took one lesson and then made the mistake of teaching himself… After some progression, he decided to leave Vancouver and move to Squamish to help others learn the sport properly. He soon made the move permanent after falling in love with everything the town had to offer. “(Basically he got tired of sleeping in his car)”

He now works as a Paramedic in Squamish and spends his free time showing his friends how to properly enjoy the rest of the Squamish outdoor playground.

David Bowden Legal 

David is a relatively recent kiter (2017) who relocated out west from Ontario in 2018 because trying to kite Lake Erie storm systems sucks. He has been on the SWS Board for a year. He is also a lawyer, although typically he does not lead with that fact in personal introductions.

Scott Degelman Strategic Planning & Vision

Scott has been kiting, well when kites had only two lines, wrist leashes, no de-power and when boards had ankle leashes. Twenty years and many accidents later, Scott recently retired from his corporate world and moved his family to Squamish two years ago.  You may often see him at the Spit getting in someone’s way, or out snowboarding, biking, hiking or fishing. Scott has a background in advertising and design is has been on the SWS Board for one year.

Sheila Sovereign Fundraising & Grants

Sheila has been kiting for 5 years. She started by taking lessons on a whim while travelling through La Ventana. She joined the SWS Board in 2019. Sheila moved to Squamish in 1993 for the climbing and biking, but these days can be found on the water more often than not (kiting and stand up paddling). Sheila helps her partner Steve put on KiteClash every year. Her favourite thing to do is go for walks with their dog Maverick. 

Alex Waterson Fundraising and Grants

Alex has been kiteboarding since 2008. She learnt in New Zealand and now lives with her husband, Chuck, in Squamish. Alex first joined the SWS Board in 2016, resigning shortly after in order to join the SWS staff. In 2019 she rejoined the board of directors. As a teacher, Alex spends the majority of her summer break out on the water. When she’s not out there showing Chuck how it’s done, she likes to enjoy all the other awesome things Squamish has to offer. 

Nikki Layton Communications

Nikki has been kiting for 4 years and has managed to check out a few different kiting areas, Maui, La Ventana, Isla Blanca, Tofino and Squamish. While the warm water is a plus Squamish is still her top site for kiting. Nikki has been working on her jumps and tricks but is also working on her foiling skills. When she isn't kiting she likes to get out climbing and hiking with her partner and dog. Nikki has successfully run and exited 2 businesses and now has more time to spend volunteering and enjoying her favourite activities.