|
Houston Yacht Club’s (HYC) new Sailing Director is none other than Katrina Williams.
Williams brings serious sailing talent and a tremendous amount of energy to the program. Growing up sailing is about more than racing. It is about being on the water with family and friends, participating in Club traditions, and becoming part of a lifelong sailing community.
“I believe that every great sailor is made because they have a great foundation of skills and knowledge to build on.” says Williams. “Ultimately I want every sailor who walks through the HYC program to have those foundation skills and knowledge so if they decide to sail at the age of 8 they can, if they want to pick it up at a college level they can, or if they want to day sail later on in life they have the knowledge to do so. Everyone has to start somewhere!”
Born in Houston, Williams moved to Bermuda at an early age. There, her parents started her in Opti sailing at the age of 7. “I absolutely hated it,” said Williams. “Although I now know that three 7 year olds cannot sink an Opti, I was convinced one day after camp that I sunk my Opti and would never sail again.” However, her Opti accomplishments went on to include sailing for the National Optimist Team, nearly qualifying for Optimist Worlds in 2001, and being named Top Female from 2000-2002. Williams qualified for the ISAF Youth Worlds six times---twice in the 420 and four times in the Laser Radial. She competed at the Pan American Games in 2007 and was named OMEGA Female Sailor of the Year in both 2006 and 2007. At Old Dominion University, Katrina competed at seven national championships, placing 3rd at the 2008 Singlehanded College Nationals and 3rd in A-Division at Women’s College Nationals, and, during her sophomore year, beginning an Olympic match racing campaign in the Elliott 6m for Bermuda.
Williams has in-depth experience with all aspects of managing a large sailing program from financial management, staffing and volunteer management, promotion and marketing, and on-the-water coaching. Since 2010, she has served at Annapolis Yacht Club as the Junior Program Director and Interim Sailing Director. Williams also serves as Central League Director on the board of directors for the Mid-Atlantic Scholastic Sailing Association (MASSA). At ODU, Katrina earned a B.S. in Sports Management with minors in Psychology and Marketing.
|
