Peter Twining has recently become President of the IJS Board of Directors after serving as its Treasurer. He joined the Board after a few years of racing in 420s in the IJS Wednesday evening series. Sailing, racing and cruising have been a central part of his life since his teenage years. He now seeks to instill an interest in sailing and safe boating in local youth through the IJS program. He believes from his experience that sailing and boating handling builds confidence, leadership and teamwork.

• Sailing for 40+ years, current boat is a Sabre 32
• Past Rear Commodore, IBYC
• Past Treasurer of Ipswich Junior Sailing
• Webmaster

“For young people sailing is fun, builds character, confidence and appreciation of the natural environment, and provides them with an activity that they can stay with for a lifetime. My reward is watching them as they begin to master the mysteries of wind and waves.”

Mark joined the IJS board in 2017, having enjoyed two seasons of 420 racing in the IJS Adult Racing program. A native Michigander, Mark started sailing in his early teens, learning on an Aqua Cat —“The Plumber’s Nightmare”. He became hooked on sailing after a delivery from the Virgin Islands to Lake Superior in 1980. He now does the occasional offshore delivery, and enjoys bareboat chartering, having covered most of the US east coast and a good bit of the west coast of Scotland. He also races inland scows in Michigan.

John joined the IJS Board in 2019. A Life-long resident of Ipswich, John grew up boating and sailing in the North Shore area and spent many summers racing Flying Terns, Rhodes 19s, 210s and other one design boats in the Manchester and Marblehead area. His offshore racing experience includes the Halifax Race, the Bermuda Race and the Southern Ocean Racing Circuit.

Gary has fifty years experience racing sailboats and team racing from one-design Lasers up J80s and offshore custom boats 36 to 70ft. First to finish and Class in several regattas US East coast West coast and Europe’s Admiral Cup series. Designed and built sailboat hardware racing masts, Twinstays and Stoway masts. Introduced lightweight aluminum hydraulic backstay and vang hardware to racing and cruising sailboats. Design Team member on Ted Hood’s 12M Courageous and Independence.

Steve Miles is a member of the IBYC, a parent of a former IJS sailor, a volunteer at IJS and an avid 420 race participant with other volunteers (yes IJS volunteers get to race Wednesday evenings!).   He grew up sailing a sunfish in Venezuela, a Vaurien in France and Tunisia, and enjoys sailing with family and friends on their Herreschoof Americat catboat.  “In an era where we are increasingly removed from the forces of nature, for kids to get out on the water in a sailboat is a great way to develop teamwork and to appreciate and adapt to the world around us.”

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Debbie Jaferian moved to Ipswich with her family in 2018. She is a parent of an IJS instructor and volunteers her time to make Ipswich Junior Sailing the best it can be. Inspired by the natural environment and the quality of the Ipswich Junior Sailing Program, she is committed to community involvement, parent participation and the development of young people.