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.
Gary is also one of the squadrons past Commanders
Bridge Officers
Commander
William Van Alstine
His Profile is visible above as he also fills the role of a Governor
Executive Officer
William Van Alstine
His Profile is visible above as he also fills the role of a Governor
Education Officer
Jeff Canaday
His Profile is visible above as he also fills the role of a Governor
Secretary
Remi Wyszynski
His Profile is yet to be completed
Treasurer
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.
Members-at-Large
Membership Chair
Maria M.Tenold
Her Profile is visible above as she also fills the role of a Treasurer
Boating Activities Chair
Eric Due
His Profile is yet to be completed
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