OUR COACH

Chris Watters, Founder

Chris brings over 20+ years of coaching and sailing experience. In 2004, Chris took on the role of National Team Coach in the British Virgin Islands. It was there that he fielded his growth as a coach, having spent nearly 1000 days coaching on the Sir Francis Drake Channel, while working with sailors of varying skill levels. Chris has developed a curriculum and style for Laser sailing that is easy to understand, all the while keeping techniques simple and focused.  

Outside of coaching Lasers, Chris has focused on his own sailing, having competed internationally in different classes that include Melges 20, 24 and 32, J70, IC24, VXOne, and most notably the SSL 47 (RC 44) for Team Canada in the 2022 Star Sailors League Gold Cup.  

Chris has coached multiple sailors to national, continental and world championships in a variety of classes. Starting in 2014, Chris coached both for Sail Canada team member Claire Merry, as well as BVI Sailor Alec Anderson on their campaigns for the 2016 games. Posting a top 20 ranked ISAF sailor, as well as 9th at the Junior 49er Worlds. 

Chris’ accomplishments also include coaching sailors to 3 other Top 10 results at worlds, including the 2009 Youth Sailing Worlds (7th Alec Anderson), 2010 Radial Open Worlds (10th Alec Anderson), and 2015 Laser Radial Youth Worlds (2nd Delores Moriera).

CHRIS WATTERS

PROFESSIONAL RESULTS

Coaching

Junior Pan American Games | 2021

6th, ILCA 7 Class, Cali, Columbia.  Team: British Virgin Islands

National Youth Championships | 2021

2nd, 3rd, 7th and 9th, ILCA 6 Class. Kingston Canada Team: Nova Scotia

Youth Sailing World Championships | 2018

14th, ILCA 6 Class, Texas USA.  Team: British Virgin Islands

Melges 24 World Championships | 2016

22nd, Miami USA.  Team: Zingara, Canada

49er Olympic Trials (North America) | 2016

2nd, 49er, North America.  Team: British Virgin Islands

49er North Americans | 2015

1st, 49er North America, Clearwater, USA  Team: British Virgin Islands

World Cup Final | 2015

18th, Laser Radial, Abu Dhabi Team: Canada 

Laser Radial Youth Worlds | 2015

2nd, Laser Radial Female, Kingston Canada  Team: Uruguay (event coach)

49er Junior Worlds | 2014

9th, 49er, Aarhus Denmark Team: British Virgin Islands

Laser Radial North Americans | 2010

1st, Laser Radial, Texas USA  Team: British Virgin Islands

Laser Radial Open World Championship | 2010

10th, Laser Radial, Largs Scotland  Team: British Virgin Islands

Youth Sailing World Championships| 2009

7th, Laser Radial, Buzios Brazil  Team: British Virgin Islands

RACING

Bacardi Event 2 | 2022

1st, J70 Class, Miami, USA.  Team: Dingbat, United States of America

Team Canada Gold Cup | 2021/22

24th, SSL 47 Class, Neuchatel, Switzerland.  Team: Canada

Bacardi Event 2 | 2021

3rd, J70 Class, Miami, USA.  Team: Rosebud, United States of America

BVI Spring Regatta | 2018

1st, Melges 24 Class, 1st Overall, British V.I  Team: Firewater, British Virgin Islands

Canadian Nationals| 2017

1st, Melges 20 Class, Ontario, Canada  Team: Character 2.0, Canada

St Thomas International Regatta| 2017

1st, CSA 2 Class Melges 24, St.Thomas, USVI  Team: Firewater, British Virgin Islands

International Match Racing | 2007-2011

50th, World Ranking, International Sailing Federation.  Team: Colin Rathbun, British Virgin Islands

St Thomas Rolex Regatta | 2009

2nd, IC24 Class, St. Thomas USVI.  Team: INTAC, British Virgin Islands

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TESTIMONIALS

"Chris is very accurate in identifying the physics of boat speed and techniques.  He brings very fresh and also appropriate new ideas which helped energize my sailing career.  His coaching helped me greatly in leading up to my 7th place finish at the 2009 Youth Worlds in Buzios Brazil.  It was then that I decided I wanted to be a professional sailor, and I haven't looked back!"

Alec Anderson

Melges 20 World Champion, 3 X North American Champion, 3 X Top ten at World Championships

I've had the opportunity of sailing with Chris on a few boats recently and I've been more than impressed by his ability to quickly master unfamiliar boats, crew positions and playbooks. He is a commited student of the sailing and coaching game plus has an infectous possitive attitude that brings out the best of everyone on the boat!  Chris will make you and your team better!"

Richard Clarke

5 X Olympian, Volvo Ocean Race Winner, World Champion, all round nice guy

"Training with Chris was some of the best Laser sailing I have done in my life.  On a regular basis, I was practicing boat handling and speed testing in the morning, and hiking hard in the afternoon.  Working with Chris, I was able to achieve a greater understanding of strategy, tactics, and preparing for regattas"

Claire Merry

Canadian National Team 2007-2016, ISAF Rank 16th

"After I outgrew the Optimist, I was unsure of what to do next.  After speaking with Chris, he encouraged me to get into the Laser Radial and come train in Canada.  2 years later, I would go on to finish 14th at the Youth Worlds after just turning 16. Chris' knowledge of the Laser is profound, Chris also always puts the athlete first."

Thad Lettsome

BVI National Team, Tulane University Sailing Team, 14th Youth Worlds 2017

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Contact Info

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: chriswatters

Phone Number: 1-647-404-0657

WhatsApp: 1-647-404-0657