Chris Walker

Chris began sailing at the age of 7, and it’s been a lifelong passion ever since. They volunteered as an assistant instructor at 12 years old. By 16, Chris was working as a sailing instructor for the Port Madison Yacht Club, and at 18, they were promoted to head instructor, leading classes and helping shape the next generation of sailors.
Chris went on to teach both sailing and windsurfing at Western Washington University, further expanding their expertise and teaching experience. For the past 7 years, they’ve been sharing their passion and skill at Mt. Baker, where they continue to teach sailors of all levels.

Alex Zaputil

Alex Zaputil began sailing at age four in the Optimist class at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. He spent over a decade in the class, progressing from introductory camps to Green Fleet and competing at regional and national levels. This early experience built a strong foundation in boat handling and race strategy.

At 14, Alex transitioned to the ILCA (Laser) class, competing in several North American Championships including a top-10 finish. He was later selected for Sail Canada’s Next Generation Team and represented Canada at multiple World Championships.

Throughout his sailing career, Alex has worked with and learned from some of the sport’s top coaches, shaping a coaching approach grounded in practical experience and proven techniques. His sailing experience ranges from dinghies to 70-foot high-performance racing yachts.

Alex is currently pursuing a degree in Elementary Education at Western Governors University. He also holds multiple US Sailing certifications, including:

• Safety at Sea
• Level 1 Instructor
• Level 2 Instructor
• Level 3 Coach
• Level 3 Head Instructor

Passionate about youth development, Alex enjoys mentoring sailors of all levels, helping them build skills, confidence, and a lifelong love for the sport. Outside of coaching, he races on his family’s Hobie 33 and is learning to foil on his WASZP.