Meet the Crew
Administrative Staff
Sandy Rost
Program Director
programs@olympiacommunitysailing.org
Sandy started sailing at summer camps on Orcas Island where she grew up. She spent some time living in Southern California where she started sailing keelboats then returned to Orcas where she went to Team Race Nationals with the Orcas High School Sailing Team. She went to college at Western Washington University where she participated on the sailing team and graduated with a BA in Environmental Education. During and after college she worked as a sailing instructor and program coordinator in Bellingham before moving to Olympia where she is excited to be a part of all things OCS! Sandy has a passion for marine science, equitable outdoor access, travel and education. Some of her hobbies include Scuba Diving, kayaking, tidepooling, and spending quality time with her dog!
Erin Pamplin
Sailing Director/Head Coach
coacherin@olympiacommunitysailing.org
Erin started sailing in the OCS summer camps and joined the high school race team in 2015. During her time with the OCS high school she competed in the US Junior Women’s Singlehanded Championship, two Mallory Trophy Nationals, and one Baker Trophy Nationals. Erin was also an OCS team captain in 2020. She spent her high school summers working as a sailing instructor at OCS. In college, Erin sailed for the University of Washington sailing team and served several leadership positions. She was awarded PCCSC All Conference Women Skippers Award in 2023 and 2024. Erin also competed in Eastern Women’s National Semi-finals in 2024. Throughout college, Erin coached sailing in Seattle and worked on a project for the Burke Museum, restoring a double outrigger Balinese Jukung and hosting sailing days for UW students. After graduating, she worked as an archaeologist before returning to OCS, this time as Sailing Director and Head Coach. Erin loves puzzles, crafts, and just about any sport that gets her outdoors or on the water.
Jessie Sordahl
Office Administrator
info@olympiacommunitysailing.org
Jessie moved to Olympia after high school to attend Saint Martin’s University and compete on their cross country and track teams. Since moving here, she has had the opportunity to pursue many other adventures from classroom teaching to roller derby to freelance writing. In 2024 she joined the team at OCS as the Office Administrator. In her free time, you can find her at the skate park or roller rink with her kids, volunteering at their school or playing pool with her friends.
Coaches
Liam Power
Liam has been sailing for 7 years, beginning with OCS summer camps and progressing into sailing competitively throughout high school. He competed at multiple High School Nationals and led the Olympia team to the 2023 High School Keelboat Nationals. He has been working for OCS for the past three years, instructing summer camps and Opti race teams. Currently, he’s studying nursing at Saint Martin's University. Outside of Sailing, he loves to fish, ski and go mountaineering.
Alex Weed
Alex grew up in Olympia, and has been sailing with OCS since he was 10, starting out in Optis and progressing into FJs and c420s. He has competed in High School Sailing with his small Black Hills High School team, and has successfully participated in all levels of regattas over his sailing career, from local scrimmages to international c420 regattas. Alex has worked for OCS for the last four years, as a summer instructor and an Opti coach. He loves coaching and seeing his sailors advance their skills. Outside of sailing, Alex is active in the local Search and Rescue unit, and enjoys hiking, fishing, and climbing.
Board of Directors
Erin Timms
President
president@olympiacommunitysailing.org
Erin Timms first became involved with youth sailing when her eight-year-old son (now a college graduate) began sailing the Optimist. Both of her sons sailed the Optimist and the Laser and competed with OCS on the Olympia High School team. In addition to being on the board of OCS, she is the Vice President for the Sailing Foundation where she chairs the Youth Committee. Erin was also the Chair of the 2022 USODA Optimist Nationals, which became the largest Opti event to come to the PNW with over 180 competitors in attendance. Erin hopes that through her work with OCS and the Sailing Foundation she can help grow not only opportunities for youth sailors in the region, but the skills and abilities of all that participate.
Penny Reck
Vice President
vp@olympiacommunitysailing.org
Bio coming soon!
Greg Ireland
Treasurer
treasurer@olympiacommunitysailing.org
Bio coming soon!
Charity Atchison
Secretary
secretary@olympiacommunitysailing.org
Charity Atchison is the parent of two Opti sailors, one of whom now sails on the high school team. Charity's commitment to the community ranges the gamut from her pre-parent days as a volunteer with Sound Legal Services (when it was Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services), Thurston County Dispute Resolution Center, and Washington Women Lawyers - Captiol Chapter, to her present day experience as a Girl Scout leader, parent volunteer in her children's schools, and member of the Olympia Community Sailing board. Charity has spent her legal career with the Public Employment Relations Commission. Charity is a lifelong patron and student of ballet. She can knit you a complete outfit to keep you warm on the water.
Telfer Griffith
Regatta Coordinator
regattacoordinator@olympiacommunitysailing.org
Telfer learned about Olympia Community Sailing when one of his daughters caught the sailing bug from summer camps and joined the High School team in 8th grade. She is now a Junior on the Olympia High School team, and he's happy to serve on the Board and support the health and growth of the organization as well as all the sailors and their families. Telfer enjoys helping coordinate the background details that make team participation in regattas (hopefully) smooth, as well as providing shore support to sailors and coaches. He doesn't know how to sail yet, but always enjoys being on or near the water.
Mike Visser
Maintenance Coordinator
maintenance@olympiacommunitysailing.org
A founding member of what is now known as Olympia Community Sailing, Mike grew up sailing in Olympia. His mother Jan Visser, was instrumental in creating local sailing opportunities for youth and served for decades as the the youth sailing director.