Meet the Staff
Kristi Mills - 2025 dIRECTOR/Instructor
As a kid, I raced Butterfly’s, M-16 scows, E-28 scows and Lasers. As a teen I raced Lasers all over Michigan for several years, wearing a water vest in heavy winds to supplement my weight!
Moving to the UP in the late 70’s introduced me to Ensign class sailing on Lake Superior, crewing and skippering where needed. Currently I crew on the Ensign “Corsair” every Wednesday for open class races and regattas.
In 1980, I advised the local Sea Scout Troop Ship #303 and attended several scout UP rendezvous.
I enjoy working with young sailors and am pleased and excited to help beginner sailors ‘learn the ropes’ and have a positive experience on the water. Here’s to another great summer of youth sailing lessons!
TED JOHNSON - INSTRUCTOR - Equipment Expert
Ted Johnson joined the Marquette Junior Yacht Club Sailing School last summer as an instructor.
Ted has his US Sailing Level 1 Small Boat Instructor Certification and this will be his 8th year teaching. Before instructing he was a student at the Alpena Youth Sailing School in his hometown and was on the youth racing team. Ted has competed in several Yngling Class North American Championships and attended the 2019 North American World Championships. Sailing at Worlds is his favorite sailing memory! Last summer, at the North American Championships hosted in Alpena he was the youth champion and went on to keep that title the next year in Iowa!
Ted's favorite piece of sailing gear is his knee pads so hopefully he doesn't forget them for his next race! When he is not racing or teaching, he loves to sail his laser out on Long Lake! His favorite thing about sailing is the excitement and competition at the starting line while he is racing. Ted's number one sailing goal is to continue sailing for the rest of his life! Lastly, a fun fact about Ted is that he loves the outdoors!
LEO BARCH - SAILING INSTRUCTOR
NMU SAILING TEAM - ARTIST
Leo Barch grew up in Marquette. Now an art student at Northern Michigan University, he helps run the college sailing club. Through NMU sailing, Leo has gained much experience sailing and racing c420s. He has competed in collegiate regattas all over the Midwest and has had a great deal of fun traveling with his team and meeting other sailors.
Before attending Northern, Leo sailed a Challenger 15 with his dad at their camp in Humboldt township. This will be Leo’s first year teaching sailing (outside of his university’s club), and he’s very excited.
Leo enjoys many outdoor activities in addition to sailing, and you will see him arrive to the yacht club on his mountain bike. He is really into camping and backpacking, and it is his goal to hike the Pacific Crest Trail (2,650 mi from Mexico to Canada) after he graduates.