Meet The Team
Run by a committee of volunteers
The club is very much a self-help organisation, as demonstrated by the new clubhouse with its member-built deck. Members are encouraged to join and support committees so that their ideas and needs can be reflected in the way the club is organised. Members are expected to help in the organisation of racing, and will be part of the Officer of the Day's team once or twice a year.
Annually elected management committee, backed up by sailing, social and house sub-committees, runs the club. The team is overseen by the Commodore and principal committee members.
Our Team (At the helm)
Club Commodore
Soeren Vonsild
Soeren has 50 years of sailing experience and has been passionate about the sport since the age of 12.
Soeren has raced and mastered all classes of boats, demonstrating a deep understanding and love for the art of sailing. His journey has been marked by numerous races and competitions such as the Finn World Masters in Cannes ('24), Lake Grarda ('23), Barcelona ('18), Barbados ('17), Sopot ('14) and Split ('10) where he has honed his skills and developed a keen sense of strategy and teamwork.
After being Vice Commodore, Soeren is now serving as the Commodore of the West Riding Sailing Club, where he is committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive sailing community.
Under his leadership, the club strives to promote the sport of sailing, support club members in their pursuits, and maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship and camaraderie. His vision is to continue to inspire and mentor sailors of all ages, ensuring that WRSC club remains a beacon for sailing enthusiasts.
Vice Commodore
Vacancy
Position currently vacant
Honorary Secretary
Tim Hattersley
Tim has been sailing now for over 20 years and a member of WRSC for 15 of those.
It is Tim’s privilege to serve as Honorary Secretary, helping, along with other Committee members, the smooth running of the club.
‘’Volunteering can be so rewarding, and it is great to see over 200 members enjoying the sailing activities, social events and skill development sessions.’’
Tim also runs Bart’s Bash every September helping to raise funds for the Bart Simpson Foundation.
Bart’s Bash is a global fundraising event that unites sailing clubs and sailors around the world as they compete together on a global leader board. The event has helped a huge number of sailing projects in our local communities and across the world.
Sailing and racing team
West Riding Sailing Club's sailing and racing team is chaired by Guy Cokrill. Guy is supported by Fleet Captains who are responsible for heading up and supporting members within each WRSC fleet.
WRSC is run by a group of volunteers who are passionate about sailing
Sailing and Racing Chair
Guy Cokill
Guy Cokrill is responsible for overseeing all WRSC sailing and racing activities, and oversees all the fleet captains. Guy can be always be found out on the water racing or writing to Yachts & Yachting.
Handicap Class Captain
Oliver Thompson
Oliver heads up a diverse fleets of boats made up of single-handers and double, ensuring fun competitive and inclusive sailing and racing for all skill levels. Oliver also hosts the 2000 Class Latitude Series.
Laser Class Captain
Stuart Garside
Stuart organises the annual WRSC UKLA ILCA Open and supports WRSC's community of Laser Sailors. The Laser Class continues to grow, attracting new members and elevating the standard of sailing and racing at the club.
Solo Class Captain
Vacant Position
This Committee seat is currently vacant. If you feel that you'd like to get involved then drop Guy Cokrill an email.
Training Team
Training Officer and Chair
Tom Butterworth is our Training Officer/Chair and oversees all RYA training at the club. Tom is passionate about teaching sailing. Tom's your go-to for all things RYA related.
Youth Development
Officer
Mark Robinson is Youth Development Officer. Mark has made a vital contribution to developing WRSC's Junior and Youth Members. Mark always has
a smile on his face. His course for junior and youth members are highly recommended for developing confidence.
Chief Dinghy
Instructor
Helen Cook Chief Dinghy Instructor. Her formidable nature, passion for sailing and teaching abilities make her an inspiration to all new to sailing and more seasoned sailors. Helen is an inspiration at the club for all new members looking to improve and develop.
Chief Power Boat Instructor
Roger Perry is our Chief Power Boat Instructor. His sailing and power boating knowledge is un-parrelled. Roger is a source of constant inspiration and always has a story to tell. Roger is also a trustee, so if you want to know about WRSC's history, ask Roger.
Ready To Go Sailing?
Find out how you can learn to sail or develop your skills at West Riding Sailing Club with RYA Level 1 and 2 and RYA Race Coaching.
House Committee Chair
Ray Jones is WRSC's House Committee Chair. Ray oversees the House team and everything to do with WRSC's grounds keeping. Ray is also known to rustle up a scrumptious breakfast sandwich at WRSC workdays.
Grounds Keeper
Derek Allen is our Grounds Keeper. Always with Workday List in hand, Derek ensures that the club is in tip-top form and spick and spam. There are normal 3-4 club Workdays a year where Derek encourages members to lend a hand.
Bosun Team
Former Commodore Alistair Banks, with his extensive knowledge of all things boats, and Roger Perry look after the upkeep of all WRSC club boats both sailing and power. Both go-tos if you need any advice on fixing something.
House Team
Social Chair
Nina got two half hitched into this position by Ex Commodore Alistair Banks. As chair, Nina likes to ensure that all members are including in running social activities at the club, so you'll find a wonderful butch of crew members helping out throughout the year. If you fancy helping out or running a social event at the club then drop her an email and she's help made your social idea happen.
Catering Officer
Sam Lewis looks after everything galley-related at WRSC. Sam is a star baker and never fails to delight in the kitchen. Sam is supported by various members at the club who volunteer their culinary skills at Opens, Summer Camp and other WRSC events to make the WRSC catering experience something to remember.
Bar Steward
Our Bar Steward, Graham Metcalfe,
keeps our bar fully stocked with an array of
after-sailing drinks. You'll find everything
from scrumptious apple ciders to classic ales to Spanish lagers and 0% G&Ts. Our fridges are full of pop and juice for younger
members, along with snacks, tea, coffee
and hot chocolate. Graham's your go-to for your next new post sailing tipple!
Social Team
Membership Officer
Clare Thompson is WRSC's Membership Officer. Clare is pit crew for her two sons, Oliver and Elliott Thompson. You'll also find her in the galley at Opens with husband Darren cooking and serving up dinner party quality catering. Clare's food is not to be missed, so next time she's running an event make sure you don't miss out.
Publicity Officer
Nina runs the PR at the club along with her favourite PR sidekick Oliver Thompson and the Famous Five! Nina and Oliver have spent most of 2024 telling the world how great the club is and sharing their love of all things sailing at WRSC. Check out the club's social media and Yachts and Yachting and Sailworld.com to find out more.
PR Crew
Oliver Thompson is WRSC's Publicity Officer Crew and assists with an array of tasks from helping with SEO content and website building right through to social media and assisting with writing ariticles for Yachts & Yachting and Sail Word. Oliver is the best sailing pit crew a PR officer could need, helping to ramp up results and most importantly reporting.
Welfare Officer
Charlotte Scaife, our Welfare Officer, is on hand to ensure the welfare of all club members. Charlotte also runs WRSC's Summer Camp alongside the Social Team. Summer Camp is one of the highlights of the WRSC calendar. Charlotte pulls out all the stops to make sure Summer Camp is an experience to be remembered.
Volunteering: Explore Our Upcoming Projects
“Volunteering at WRSC is XXX. It makes you feel part of the team and that you're doing your bit as a member.
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