Meet The Staff
Ipswich Junior Sailing is dedicated to fostering sailing instruction and leadership skills in its staff members and takes pride in its exceptional teaching team. The instructors at IJS embody the core values of our program and create a safe and enjoyable learning environment.
Our beginner instructors are certified at the U.S. Sailing Small Boat Level I. Those who teach intermediate to advanced classes hold both Level I and Level II certifications, while our Program Director is Level III certified. We are proud that our instructors adhere to the National Standard for Quality Sailing Instruction.
All our staff members began their sailing journeys with IJS in Ipswich Bay, and many have notable achievements in the local racing circuit.
Charlie Jaferian
Program Director
Charlie Jaferian is the Program Director at Ipswich Junior Sailing. Charlie served as Head Instructor in 2024 and has been participating at IJS for 5 years. He is currently studying business marketing and photography at Endicott College. His favorite part about being the program director at Ipswich Junior Sailing is watching the sailors return each year as they develop confidence, teamwork skills, and a lifelong passion for the sport of sailing. He also has a passion for photography/videography, where he captures kids’ love for sailing both on land and on the water.
Colin Henkes
Program Manager
Colin is the Program Manager at IJS. After learning to sail with the program in his youth, he began working at Ipswich Junior Sailing in 2023. Colin manages the daily activities of the program on-shore, ensuring a well-organized, safe, and fun environment for sailors and staff alike. He currently studies Economics and Government at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.
Sebastian Wells
Head Instructor
Sebby is a Head Instructor at IJS. He has been sailing with IJS for 7 years and his favorite thing to do as an instructor is be out on the water teaching kids how to sail and overcome their fears.
Charlie Carner
Head Race Coach
Charlie is Head Race Coach at IJS. He has been sailing at IJS since he was 8 years old, and has been teaching for three years. Charlie enjoys working at IJS because of the incredible staff and because he gets to teach at the same place he first learned to sail.
Will Coughlin
Senior Instructor
Will has been sailing his whole life on many different boats: Mirror Dinghy, Opti, 420, Laser, and crewing on larger vessels. This is his fifth year sailing with IJS, and he loves having the opportunity to share his excitement about the sport.
Isabelle Getchell
Senior Instructor, Race Coach
Isabelle is a Senior Instructor and race coach at IJS and has been sailing with the program since she was 7 years old. She has been racing for four years and is currently racing at St. George’s School, in Newport, Rhode Island. Her favorite thing about IJS is the passion the instructors share for the sport and how they incorporate this into teaching new sailors during the summer.
Charlie Quimby
Senior Instructor
Charlie Quimby lives in Ipswich and is a Senior Instructor with over a decade of sailing experience at IJS. He has a strong passion for the outdoors and sailing and enjoys teaching others about the skills and life lessons that sailing offers.
Ryan C.
Junior Instructor
Ryan is a Junior Instructor at IJS. Ryan grew up sailing with IJS and is now a member of the race team. He is an excellent sailor and has found success sharing his knowledge and skills with others.
Will D.
Junior Instructor
Will is a Junior Instructor at IJS. Will has been sailing been sailing with IJS for 5 years and sails with Pleon in the shoulder seasons. He has experience sailing Opti, 420s, Lasers, and Colgate 26s. Will enjoys teaching at IJS because he can share his love for sailing with sailors new to the sport.
Theo Goodrich
Junior Instructor
Theo has been sailing since he was 8 years old. During the summer, there’s no place he would rather be than on Plum Island Sound. He loves sharing his passion for sailing with others and is always excited to introduce new sailors to the joys of being on the water.
Benjamin L
Junior Instructor
Benji is a Junior Instructor at IJS. Growing up on the water, he has always had an interest in everything to do with boats. As well as wooden boatbuilding, he enjoys racing and recreational sailing and is excited to continue to share his passion with others.
Reed Soininen
Junior Instructor
Reed Soininen is a Junior Instructor at IJS. He has sailed at IJS for 9 years. His favorite thing about being an apprentice is sharing his knowledge and love for sailing with others.
Rowan Henkes
Junior Instructor/Race Coach
Rowan has been sailing for the majority of his life and learned to sail at IJS. He competitively raced throughout high school at Landmark High School and now sails for the University Of Vermont. He is excited to teach instructional classes and coach race this year at IJS.
Holden Choma
Apprentice
Holden is an apprentice at IJS who has spent the past few seasons shadowing and participating in race teams. He is a multi-sport athlete who loves competing at the highest levels and is passionate about sharing his joy with young sailors.
Aidan Hynes
Apprentice
Aidan has been sailing with IJS for 3 years, sailing Optis and 420s, and has 2 years prior experience sailing at the Lawrence boat house, sailing Sunfish and Cape Cod Mercury Sloops. Aidan enjoys teaching at IJS because he gets to do what he loves while helping the sailors learn and experience new things.