Our Team — LOWISA

LOWISA 58 Commodores

We’re excited to welcome this year’s commodore Paige Nuttal!

Board & Committee

**Paul Gomori**
**Winnipeg, Manitoba**
Paul began sailing at four years old when his dad bought a Laser. He continued sailing Lasers and became involved with the Manitoba Sailing Team racing Lasers in various regattas including at the 1993 Canada Games. Paul first attended LOWISA in 2008 where he rediscovered his love for sailing on Borderline, a C&C 30. He has raced in every LOWISA since, winning LOWISA 49 and 54. Paul was Commodore of LOWISA 52 in 2017 during which he led the fleet to Ash Rapids Lodge; he has since remained involved in LOWISA planning.

**Kim Ovitz**
**Chicago, Illinois / Winnipeg, Manitoba**
Hailing from the United States, Kim is a PhD student at the University of Manitoba and the former co-commodore of LOWISA 51. Her family has been participating in LOWISA since the first ever LOWISA Regatta held in 1966. She’s been attending this event personally since LOWISA 45. Kim facilitates fleet communications, online event registration, website development, and regatta safety.

**Liz Harries**
**Manitoba / British Columbia**
Liz was introduced to sailing here on LOTW by long time friend John Vogan. Her second time ever sailing was on LOWISA 50, where she fell in love with the sport, the LOWISA community, the lake, and never looked back. Since L52 she’s been sailing with Borderline on the famous C&C30. Her passion for sustainability and sailing merged in 2019 when she developed the sustainability program for LOWISA. Liz has continued to work with the commodores, organizing committee, and external partners to continually improve event sustainability. For L56, Liz led LOWISA to a Gold Certification with the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta Program.

**Jamie Paterson**
**Winnipeg, Manitoba**
Jamie grew up in Winnipeg and with a teacher as a father had the opportunity to spend summers on Lake of the Woods. His passion for sailing emerged during childhood during which he took sailing lessons at RLWYC and sailed with his father on the family’s sailboats. Jamie’s first recurring LOWISA experience was in 2006 on a J-29. He then took a four-year break from racing to operate the REPAX (safety) boat and later co-commodored LOWISA 51. Jamie is currently a teacher in Winnipeg.

**Chris Debicki**
**Winnipeg, Manitoba**

**Bonny Skene**
**Dryden, Ontario**
Having grown up in Northwestern Ontario, Bonny has a deep love and respect for our lakes. One of her passions is sailing and the other is skiing. She’s generally happy to be on board just about anything with a sail. Her first LOWISA was LOWISA 23 on a Mirage 24. She is honored to have a role on the Board and to build on LOWISA’s deep history of exploring beautiful Lake of the Woods under sail.

**Steve Dreger**
**Winnipeg, Manitoba**
Since sailing on LOWISA 48 in 2013, Steve has not missed the annual LOWISA Regatta. Steve contributes each year with LOWISA communications and marketing and was a proud co-commodore of LOWISA 53.

**Brian Stasnyac**
**Winnipeg, Manitoba**

Support Team

Each year we have a dedicated team of volunteers that make LOWISA possible; this includes our Commodores, Planning Committee, Race Committee, , Safety Committee, Sustainability Committee, REPAX, and occasionally a Houseboat Support Crew. We extend our sincere gratitude to all of the individuals that make LOWISA possible! If you would like to volunteer with LOWISA, drop us a line.