PYSF | Staff
John Vandemoer: Executive Director
John Vandemoer grew up surrounded by water on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and began sailing at the age of six at Hyannis Yacht Club. Starting in Beetle Cats, he progressed through c420s, i420s, and Laser 2s, eventually competing in both high school and collegiate sailing. John earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York.
After college, John began his coaching career at the Chicago Yacht Club, where he served as Head Coach and later Program Director. During his time there, his sailors achieved major successes including the Ida Lewis Trophy and the Orange Bowl Regatta in the c420 class. He went on to coach at the collegiate level as an assistant coach at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was later promoted to Head Coach. At both programs, John coached numerous All-Americans and led teams to national finals.
In 2008, John became the Head Sailing Coach at Stanford University. Under his leadership, Stanford won its conference championship every year, earned multiple podium finishes at the national level, and developed sailors who achieved All-American and Academic All-American honors. Several of John’s athletes went on to compete for Team USA at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021.
In addition to his coaching career, John works as an engineer for Water Solutions Inc. and serves as the California sales representative for Zim Sailing. He lives in Half Moon Bay, California with his wife, Molly Vandemoer, and their two children, Nicholas and Nora. John is proud to lead Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation as Executive Director and is committed to expanding access to sailing while fostering lifelong skills through the sport.
Email Contact: [email protected]
Chris Huang: Beginner Program Lead
Chris Huang is a longtime member of Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation, having joined the program in its early years in 2004. He sailed on the Summit Prep High School team before being recruited to the UC Irvine Sailing Team, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. After college, Chris returned to PYSF as a summer coach and eventually came back full-time, drawn by his enduring love for coaching and the community.
Over the years, Chris has taken time to travel and explore a wide range of interests, working in roles that include marketing representative, property manager, construction worker, charter yacht captain, farm hand, and even alpaca herder. Most recently, he earned his commercial multi-engine pilot’s license. Despite these varied experiences, coaching remains the most rewarding work he has ever done.
Chris has coached every class PYSF offers, guiding sailors from their very first day in Learn to Sail through their high school years on the 420 Race Team. Inspiring a lifelong love of sailing is one of his greatest joys, and he is excited to continue helping shape the next generation of PYSF sailors.
Email Contact: [email protected]
Sarah Carmichael: Development Director
Sarah Carmichael brings a wealth of Development experience to our team. Sarah has worked in both the private and non-profit sectors as a marketing and communications professional as well as a development professional and consultant.
Sarah graduated from Amherst College with a BA in Political Science and a Minor in Art History. She later received an MBA from the JL Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Sarah raised her three sons (Ryan, Brendan and Keane) in Portola Valley, CA, and now resides in the Santa Ynez Valley. She has a strong passion for cycling and has competed in mountain bike races locally, statewide, and nationally. Today, she rides road bikes and tries to keep up with her husband and Olympian, Chris. She is also newly enthralled with the study of Jiu-Jitsu, a sport she began alongside her sons.
Sarah is excited to assist the PSYF team in achieving the organization’s vision. She is also thrilled to reconnect with sport of sailing, as she learned to sail during summers at camp in Maine and crewing for her father on his “Small Pointer” also in Maine.
Email Contact: [email protected]
Rebekah Jones: Operations Manager
Rebekah Jones brings extensive administrative and operational experience to the PYSF team. She has supported executives, staff, and day-to-day operations across nonprofit, healthcare, and corporate environments, with a focus on organization, communication, and maintaining the smooth operation of complex systems.
Rebekah has built her career in office management, executive support, and process coordination, working in fast-paced, detail-driven settings that require discretion, adaptability, and strong follow-through. She is known for her calm, solutions-oriented approach and her ability to balance multiple priorities while supporting mission-driven work.
Rebekah lives on the San Francisco Peninsula and values community, structure, and behind-the-scenes work that allows programs and people to thrive. She is proud to support Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation’s mission and is excited to contribute to the strong foundation that helps make youth sailing accessible and impactful.
Email Contact: [email protected]
Noah Wolters: Coach
Noah Wolters grew up sailing in Michigan and quickly developed a passion for sharing his experience with others. He has competed nationally in Optimist, ILCA, Butterfly, 420, and FJ, and brings a broad sailing background to his coaching at PYSF.
In addition to sailing, Noah has expanded his coaching into a wide range of wind and water sports, including kitesurfing, wing foiling, surf foiling, and even kite skiing during the winter months. He’s usually on the water, but in the rare moments he’s not, you can find Noah playing piano or hiking his favorite trail.
Email Contact: [email protected]
Elizabeth Avdanina: Coach
Elizabeth is a PYSF alum that joined the program in 2011 and graduated in 2016. She sailed on the Gunn High School Sailing team before she left for college at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Post college, she had a career in software development, but found she missed the world and community of sailing, and has returned to coach full-time. Her favorite type of classes to coach are introductory classes. The joy of sharing her love for the sport, as well as getting to watch people discover their own excitement for spending time on the water is one of the most rewarding parts of the job for her.
Elizabeth loves the outdoors, and when not coaching or sailing, can be found hiking, mountain biking, camping, and traveling.
Email Contact: [email protected]
Summer Coaches
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