RNSYS Clinics
Elevate your sailing skills with unique high-performance training led by world-class coaches.
Gain expert insights through daily weather briefings, sports science support, drone-assisted debriefs, and specialized presentations on racing tactics, sail shape, and more.
May High Performance Clinic
May 16 4pm-8pm, May 17,18,19 10am-6pm - Sailing Each Day
Dinner included May 16,17,18,
Opti, ILCA, 29er, 49er, 49erFX & J22 Match Racing Each class will have guest expert coaches supporting it in addition to RNSYS own coaching team.
Cost $300/sailor
Sarah Douglas - ILCA Guest Coach
Sarah Douglas is a two-time Olympian and professional Canadian sailor, specializing in the Laser Radial/ILCA 6 class. She competed in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics, earning 6th and 8th place respectively. With multiple World Cup medals, Pan Am Games medals and strong finishes at World Championships, Sarah has become one of Canada’s best sailors by continuing to place Canada at the top of the world stage. Known for her focus and resilience, she continues to push the boundaries of her sport and inspire others with her achievements.
My name is Federico Donzino. Originally from Argentina, I’ve been based in Canada since 2016. I’m passionate about coaching and take pride in helping young sailors grow their skills, confidence, and love for the sport. I’ve had the privilege of serving as coach for Team Canada at more than 10 International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) events, where I’ve worked with some of the country’s most promising youth sailors on the international stage. Currently, I coach at the Port Credit Yacht Club, where I continue to support the next generation of racers. I’m also actively campaigning in the J/70 class—and having an absolute blast doing it. Sailing remains at the heart of everything I do, both on and off the water.
Andrew Wood - 29er Guest Coach
Andrew started racing in the opti class in 2010 on the North Shore Sailing Team in Vancouver and began to enjoy the competitive side of the sport. When he was thirteen, he moved into the 29er class with his brother at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. Andrew has competed in two World Sailing Youth World Championships and three 29er World Championships finishing in gold fleet at each one. Andrew then sailed 49er for 5 years competing in multiple world championships and world cup events. Due to a knee injury he pivoted towards the foiling world and began sailing moths and 69F. Last fall Andrew competed in the Youth Americas cup as a helmsman and team leader of the youth team for Concord Pacific Racing.
Erin Rafuse - 49er Guest Coach
Erin Rafuse is an Olympian and high-performance athlete who has competed internationally in multiple boats, including the Laser Radial and 49erFX. A longtime member of RNSYS, Erin spent a decade on the Canadian National Sailing Team (2009-2019), representing Canada at the 2016 Olympic Games in the 49erFX and the 2015 Pan American Games. Throughout her career, Erin competed in numerous World Championships and World Cups, earning multiple top-10 finishes on the World Cup stage and claiming titles as a three-time North American champion and multiple-time Canadian champion in the 49erFX.
Beyond competition, Erin remains involved in sport through coaching and mentoring the next generation of athletes. She also works as a counselling therapist, combining her Master’s in Counselling Psychology and Diploma in Sport Nutrition to support both athletes and non-athletes in navigating performance, resilience, and well-being.
Federico Donzino - Opti Guest Coach
Peter Wickwire - J22 Match Racing Guest Coach
Peter Wickwire currently ranks top 10 in World Sailing’s Open Match Race Rankings and has been representing RNSYS, Nova Scotia and Canada for many years internationally on the match racing circuit. He is a Canadian National Match Racing Champion, Canada’s Cup Champion and has been the Nations Cup helm for Canada multiple times. In One Design fleet racing Peter is a North American Champion, a Canadian Champion many times over, and has achieved multiple World Championship Podiums. He has also won eight (8!) Chester Race Weeks and six Bermuda International Race Weeks. Peter has also been named Nova Scotia Sailor of the Year on two occasions.
Allie Surrette - Opti Guest Coach
Allie Surrette is from St. Margaret's Bay, NS, and grew up sailing at RNSYS and SMSC. Allie started sailing optis at 5 years old, raced her first green fleet regatta when she was 8 and competed in the opti North American, South American and European Championships between the ages of 11 and 14. She then moved on to sailing 420s, 470s and Nacra 17s. Allie has been fortunate to travel around the world for her sailing adventures and has competed in multiple world cup events and the 2019 Pan Am Games. In the last few years Allie has completed two Newport to Bermuda races with all female crews and loves coming back to RNSYS to coach and volunteer and share her love of the sport.