Traverse Area Community Sailing is an organization dedicated to providing sailing education and opportunities for all.
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Meet Our Staff
Ben Ferris Program Director
AKA: Señor Ferris, Benito
Ben did NOT learn to sail here; it didn’t exist when he started. Ben learned to sail from his dad and has been sharing his passion for sailing with others here, at TACS, for 25 years. Ben chose to become an instructor, and now director, because he loves teaching, and teaching sailing is a perfect complement to the other seasons of teaching in his career. He believes TACS programs give young people confidence, a sense of self worth, and a place to feel success. To Ben, sailing is truly a life-long adventure.
Ben has a Masters Degree in Teaching, his US Sailing Level 3 Instructor Certification, a Level 200 Alpine Ski Instructor Certification, CPR, First Aid, and Safe Sport training, as well as being a Level 1 Sail Instructor trainer. In life, he describes himself as “approaching adulting,” saying “it’s almost time.” In addition to fulfilling his role as an abuelo (a grandpa!!), he also looks forward, traveling both internationally and continentally, and most of all, enjoying each day.
When Ben is not at TACS (which is seldom!) he can be found biking, skiing, sup-ing, reading, traveling, and/or spending time with his dog, wife, two grown kids, including a son-in-law. If you know Ben, you know he loves to be silly, dance, and speak in Spanish (A LOT). You also may know that he makes some pretty weird noises when he is cheering people on in whatever they are doing!
Youth Program Instructors
Nick Thuente
Nick has been working for TACS for 4 years. Unlike many of the instructors, he didn’t actually learn to sail here; his connection was through his knowing Señor Ferris from school. Nick became an instructor because being at TACS combines his love for sailing and kids. It’s the perfect way to spend his summer!
Nick has earned his US Sailing Level 1 Instructor certification, as well as his CPR, and First Aid training. He plans to continue with his Level 2 certification, and continue to work with TACS.
In the fall, Nick will be a Junior at Notre Dame. He looks forward to studying Neuroscience and Behavior before becoming a Priest. When he is not at TACS, he can be found sailing, skiing, mountain biking, doing impressions, or watching YouTube. Nick considers himself a very genuine and innocent person, whose favorite color is white, and who takes good care of his pet rock.
Camille Coffin
Camille started sailing at age 8, right here at TACS, and has been sailing ever since. She has been a part of the race team since the fall of 8th grade. This summer marks her first summer as an instructor. She chose to join the teaching team so that she could share sailing with other kids as a place to make friends, and enjoy a life long sport.
Camille has her Level 1 certification through US Sailing, as well as CPR training, and Safe Sport Certification.
When Camille is not on the water, she can be found racing through the woods on her mountain bike or flying down an icy slope on skis. This coming fall she will be a Junior at Traverse City Central.
Lucas Rodenroth
Lucas has been part of TACS for twelve years. Before becoming an instructor, he learned to sail here, volunteered in summer youth programs, and helped teach STEM classes about such things as wind, basic physics, and water quality monitoring. Lucas enjoys teaching at TACS because he feels it is a great environment full of positivity. He finds it important to be part of continuing to spread the love of sailing to new sailors.
Lucas has his US Sailing Levels 1 and 2 Instructor certification, as well as his Boaters Safety, CPR, First Aid, AED, CDC Concussion, and Safe Sport training.
Lucas will continue to attend Michigan Technological University in the fall, where he is the race captain of the MTU sailing team. He looks forward to continuing to find innovative ways to mix sailing with Mechanical Engineering.
When he is not teaching, Lucas can be found sail racing, tinkering, or otherwise on the water.
Winston Hegg
Winston started sailing with TACS as part of the Summer Youth Program in 2016. He was recruited, most likely by his older brother Simon, to start racing in 6th grade. He loves the competition! Winston decided to join the teaching crew this summer because he “likes to see people grow and learn; and sailing is a great way to get on the water.”
Winston has his Level 1 certification through US Sailing, as well as CPR training, and Safe Sport Certification.
When Winston is not on the water, you can find him playing football, in the gym or making his friends laugh!
Drew Roeder
Drew learned to sail at TACS, and has also volunteered over the years. He chose to work here so that he could be around the water more, and be part of inspiring and growing our local high school racing teams. He currently is a member of the Traverse City Central Sail Team.
Drew has his Level 1 Certification from US Sailing.
In the fall, Drew will be starting his Senior year at Central High School. He is looking forward to sailing more and going to college after high school.
Drew loves sailing (clearly) and also biking. At home, he shares his time with his parents, sister, two dogs, and two cats. If you haven’t already guessed, the rest of the time he races sailboats...A LOT!
Isley Moshier
Isley started here at TACS as a student when he was 8 years old. He chose to become an instructor so that he could share his enjoyment of sailing with others.
Isley has his US Sailing Level 1 Instructor certification, as well as his Boaters Safety, CPR, First Aid, AED, and Safe Sport training.
In the Fall, Isley will be a Senior at Traverse City Central High School. He looks forward to traveling, teaching, and sailing in the future. When he is not at TACS, he can be found sailing (of course), skiing, biking or hanging out with his dog and two cats. What does Isley think makes Isley, Isley? He is allergic to the life saving antibiotic, Penicillin.
Toby Smart
Toby started sailing with TACS 2 years ago. He has really enjoyed the friends he has made, and the sailing community. He started his journey at the TACS Summer Youth Program, and then started volunteering. From there, Toby started racing with the Hight School team.
To keep the fun going, Toby decided to join some of his teammates in instructing, making his journey a full circle. He loves this job not only because he gets to be with friends, but he also gets to teach the next group of young sailors.
Toby has his Level 1 certification through US Sailing, as well as CPR training, and Safe Sport Certification.
When Toby is not sailing or instructing, you can find him playing tennis or downhill skiing. One of his favorite sailing moments was racing Lasers in Sarasota at the Gulf Coast Championship. In the fall, Toby plans to attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix to study finance.
Caleb Keller
Caleb has a strong connection to TACS. He has been with the program since he was in 3rd grade, he learned to sail here, and he recommends the program to others. Caleb chose to work at TACS because he believes in the program and its amazing influence. He believes sailing is a very important skill that everyone should have. Instead of working inside, he loves to be outside, on the water teaching and showing others how to sail. He’s been on the water his whole life and loves working with people, making TACS the perfect place for Caleb!
Caleb works with Open Sail, Adaptive Sail, and Youth Sailing. He has his Boater’s Safety Certification, and his Level 1 US Sailing Instructor Certification.
In the fall, Caleb will be starting his Senior year at Central High School. He looks forward to athletics (he runs cross country). Caleb has so many interests, some of which include (other than sailing) hiking, piano, biking, running, swimming, architecture, biology, art, water (both salt and fresh), nature, and life in general. Fun facts about Caleb? Caleb’s nickname is “Shaggy” because in 6th grade he looked like Shaggy, and the name just stuck. Piano equals a happy Caleb. He thinks Classic Rock is AWESOME, and if you haven’t picked up on it yet, he LOVES nature! A LOT!
Adult Program Instructors
Adaptive Program
Anna Cate Maday
Anna grew up sailing at TACS, having started sailing when she was 7 years old. Although, she “hated sailing at first,” she has always wanted to be an instructor and spend summers with her older brother, Gabe. Anna loves working with the kids all day, and enjoys working with Adaptive Sailing on Thursday nights.
Anna has her US Sailing Level 1 Instructor certification, as well as her Boaters Safety, CPR, First Aid, AED, and Safe Sport training.
This Fall, Anna will be a Senior at Traverse City St. Francis. Beyond that she hopes to attend college and study to become a dental hygienist. In her free time, she likes to catch up on sleep, eat, and play tennis. Fun fact about Anna? She makes her brother’s lunch for him, EVERY DAY!!!
Women on the Water
Captain Jenny has been sailing for over 20 years. She has also been a captain at Great Lakes Sailing Co. for the past 4 years, teaching classes through the American Sailing Association, as well as leading charters and day sails. Before that, she taught children to sail at Traverse Area Community Sailing for 8 summers. She is passionate about getting new sailors out onto boats to experience the joys of sailing.