Meet your 2020 Board Members

October 20, 2020

 

Geoffrey "Chuck" Waterson President

Chuck has been kiteboarding for 17 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 6 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. 
 
Nikki Layton Vice President & Communications

Nikki has been kiting for 5 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. 

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 3 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.

Loren Parfitt Operations 

Loren has been kiteboarding for 8 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.  

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 8 years.  Alyssa has been an SWS staff member and has been on the Board for the past 6 years. She now is a workaholic Realtor in Whistler and Squamish which takes over her kiting time but of course, never tells kiters that.  

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 2 years. He is also a lawyer, although typically he does not lead with that fact in personal introductions.

Alex Waterson Fundraising & 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. 

Brett Wilson Director at Large

Brett made his introduction onto the kitesurfing scene 8 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.

Troy McNamara Director at Large

Troy is a sailor turned kiter for about 8 years now. Originally from Dublin, Ireland he is now a permanent resident of Canada. Though he lives in Vancouver he has family who settled in Squamish 30 years ago so is no stranger to the Spit and the other pleasures Squamish has to offer. He is Managing Director of a marketing and design agency and offers these skills and knowledge to the SWS when the wind is below 15 knots.