Governors
A fluent Japanese speaker, Bill has worked in Japan since 1985. He is experienced in operating small watercraft and has done so since age 12. He is mostly a power boat guy who arranges wakeboarding trips with TSPS members. He completed USPS education courses in Seamanship, Piloting and Advanced Piloting as well as TSPS beginner sailing. Bill served as TSPS Commander in 2017 and 2018, and Treasurer from 2019-2023.
Bill is also the squadrons current Commander
Jeff’s first boat was a 17-foot aluminum canoe that his family would take to lakes and rivers in Oregon. When the wind was against them and the paddling brought up images of Roman slave galleys, he longed for a sail. He didn’t get one until university, when he took a dinghy sailing class for his PE credit. The instructor’s method was to carry a bottle of peach brandy aboard his boat and anybody good enough to catch him got the bottle…until someone else caught them. (Jeff has since learned far better methods of instruction.) That spring, sailing students grouped together on charter boats in the San Juan Islands above Seattle, and, after sailing a week amid wilderness islands against the backdrop of snowcapped mountains, he was hooked on cruising.
He later took the USPS Boating Course and the JMRA license course during his first year in Japan. At that time, Edo castle was under construction and listening to boating lectures under cherry trees while sipping green tea was a calming diversion from English teaching. What he learned was that USPS is a bootstrap organization, wherein experienced members share their knowledge of boating with novice members, who, as they gain experience are obligated to begin sharing what they know with the members that follow them into the Squadron. The Education officer is there not so much to teach, but to encourage the transition from novice boater into experienced instructor for each member.
Jeff also serves as second in to the Education Officer
Gary was originally from the Seattle area in Washington State, USA but lived and worked in Japan almost continuously from the late 1970s until 2017. He now splits his time between Tokyo and Seattle. He is a power boat guy who owns a 39-foot cabin cruiser berthed at Yokohama Bayside Marina. Gary began boating in the mid-1990s and has cruised extensively in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands in Washington State and the Gulf Islands in British Columbia. He has been a member of TSPS since 2002 and previously served as TSPS Commander after several years on the Bridge.
Bridge Officers
Commander
William Van Alstine
His Profile is visible above as also he fills the role of a Governor
Executive Officer
John Kratochvil is Certified by the American Sailing Association for ASA 107 (Celestial Navigation), ASA 108 (Offshore Passage-making), ASA 114 (Cruising Catamaran) and ASA 201 (Basic Keelboat Sailing Instructor). He is a past FAA Certified Flight Instructor for Airplanes and Instruments; rated in Multi-engine Airplane and Float Airplane.
John Is also the current Membership Chair.
Administrative Officer
Brendan was born in Santa Monica, California. Growing up, his dad had powerboats so he was able to go out cruising and fishing along the Southern California coast. A long-term Japan resident, he has a JMRA 2 license, is an advanced scuba diver and enjoys sport fishing.
As the Administrative Officer, he will do his best for TSPS by supporting the Bridge officers in initiatives promoting events, improving membership satisfaction and organizational awareness; as well as helping out with boat rental scheduling. He’s been with the Club since 2010.
Education Officer
A Belgian living since 1993 in Japan sailing on weekends with his 32ft sailboat “ ANAIS “ from TOKYO YUMENOSHIMA MARINA. At TSPS coaching students to obtain the Class 2 and Class 1 Japanese boat license in English. As a member of Tokyo Yachting Club participating in monthly regatta with a dedicated crew.
Education Officer – 2nd chair
Jeff Canaday
His Profile is visible above as also he fills the role of a Governor
Secretary and Law Officer
A long-term Japan resident, Langley grew-up on Okinawa and completed law school in Japan as well as in the United States. Formerly the General Counsel for Apple Computer (Japan) and at General Motors (Asia Pacific), Langley currently runs a public-affairs consultancy and is considered a local expert on Japanese politics. At 16 years, he crewed cross-the-Pacific on a Merchant Marine ship out of Naha Port to Charleston, South Carolina, sailing through the Panama Canal and through the Gulf of Mexico in 1969. His passion is sailing and educating others about sailing in Japan…. and avoiding Merchant Marine ships.
As Bridge Secretary, Langley is dedicated to assisting the Bridge run effectively and smoothly (as in monthly Bridge Meetings) and in facilitating communication among the leadership. Working with the Commander, Langley intends to keep TSPS compliant with TSPS’s NPO status while embellishing the existing relationships with like minded sailing/boating organizations locally and worldwide.
Treasurer
A 4th generation native of Oakland/Berkeley, CA, Bruce flew into Japan in September 1982. And boy, were his arms tired.
Born with a sense of humor that most people don’t find funny, he began sailing on El Toros and Sunfishes in elementary/junior high school.
Graduated to Lidos 14s/windsurfing in the 80’s and 90’s in San Francisco. Almost drowned his fiancée (now ex-wife) at Lake Nojiri-ko, Nagano Prefecture in 1985 in a boating incident. Divorce and boating incident (possibly) no relation. But has massive appreciation for sailing SAFELY!!!
Also, sailed in Sydney , Australia (CYAC) for several years, mostly J24s about the time of Y2K. Did a few overnight cruising courses. (one sailing memory – waking up in the morning after an overnight cruise and one of his boatmates saying “No second dates, Mate?”). If snoring were an Olympic event, he is a gold medal shoe-in.
Best sailing memory, owning a Cheoy Lee Offshore 27. (2001 – 2006) in Richmond CA, The saying is that the happiest two moments of a boat owners life is when s/he buys the boat and when they sell it. He will tell you this is not true as he shed a tear upon selling it. True story. Returned to Japan in March 2006 and got a daughter in the process. Overall, a massive win. However, saying goodbye to Orion {PIC HERE??} was not fun.
Very much a common-man type of sailor, but if you invite him on your Swan 50, he will gladly bring a bottle of Dom Perignon. Favorite type of boat OPs – (Other Peoples)
Career-wise, began as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant, i.e. a numbers guy by training). Currently in CPA recovery. Worked in tech marketing/sales management in Asia Pacific during the transition from analog video to digital video. His true-life work and passion is focused on education and training. Looking forward to bringing all three career areas to bear in his role(s) at TSPS
Current Hobby: sitting on the Yacht Club veranda, beer in hand, watching the young kids (i.e those in their 30’s and 40’s) attempting to enter their slip in high winds.
Members-at-Large
Membership Chair
John Kratochvil
His Profile is visible above as also he fills the role of Executive Officer
Boating Activities Chair
Maria`s life is truly inspiring, demonstrating the power of perseverance and dedication. Born and raised in Poland, she has spent over two decades living abroad in Norway and Japan, acquiring in the process a wealth of knowledge and experience. With a PhD in Economics, Maria is dedicated to growing a green economy and implementing sustainable development in cities, demonstrating her commitment to creating a better future for all. Work-wise, she is multilingual and has expertise in executive finance management, IT project management and Agile leadership.
Maria`s interest in boating started at an early age when she had several opportunities to explore Poland`s lakes and Norway`s incredible fjords and surrounding scenery. For her, sailing is a harmonious blend of teamwork, adventure, and a unique opportunity to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life and immerse oneself in the beauty of nature. As a Bridge member of TSPS, she is thrilled to support Vlad Legaza in boating activities and hopes to inspire others to discover the joy of sailing and the wonders of marine life.
Boating Activities Chair – 2nd
Vlad came to Japan in late 2016. From an early age he was inspired by boats and sails that he saw at Ozov sea ports and marinas frequently visited during summer breaks. His own sailing career began in 2015 with the Moscow sailing club that ran a fleet of nice and high-performance dinghies: SB-20. With this club, Vlad acquired his first boating license that covers the internal waters of the Russian Federation.
Likely, in 2021 he was introduced to TSPS by his friend and ex-coworker in a way to get a Japanese boat operation permit. Learning more about the club, Vlad instantly subscribed for membership and joined various sailing activities.
For the upcoming years, he is looking forward to introducing more people to this art and sharing with them pleasant and memorable experiences. He also dreamed of seeing TSPS become a sailing school that provides official certification recognized by various chartering companies in Japan and around the globe.
Social Activities Chair
Svetlana was born and raised in Moscow, Russia, until coming to Japan on an impulse 12 years ago.
She now speaks fluent Japanese, and she’s been all around the country by all imaginable means of transportation. She enjoys being outdoors the most, preferring activities like hiking, snowboarding, wakeboarding and, of course, sailing. Svetlana joined TSPS in 2018, becoming an active participant of all educational and social events. Shortly after, she passed the JMRA license test on the first try and became an approved skipper within the club. Oh, and if you ever need good weather – don’t ask her how, but she delivers.
Working a day job as an event organiser and art coordinator, she is planning to bring more top-notch activities to the club, and promises to make sailing more popular among women, leading by example.
Webmaster and IT Head
Ashley arrived in Japan 2006 and joined TSPS early 2022 to acquire a his boating license and join in on the many boating events arranged by TSPS. Ashley regularly sails on the Anais under Captain Claude Strobbe. He is can also be found out on the TSPS Dinghy or sailing spor