LOWISA 60 Commodores

Introducing your Commodores for LOWISA 60:

The Flood Family | Altered State (C&C 32) / Ombaashi (C&C 27) / Rooster (Governor’s Cup 21)

Passing of the Helm from Heather & Clint Unrau, past Commodores of LOWISA 59, to The Flood family - Commodores of LOWISA 60.

Commodore message - the Flood family

In the 60th year of this regatta we are honoured to be entrusted with this legacy. We are standing on the shoulders of all of those who came before us and kudos is due to everyone who created this annual adventure. LOWISA was founded on and has stayed true to the idea that the endless beauty of Lake of the Woods should be both enjoyed and preserved as a place for people to recharge their enthusiasm for life.

For us, LOWISA has been a cornerstone for our family for 3 generations! LOWISA is an annual family gathering that allows us the time to both compete and play together. The value of this is immeasurable - it allows us to explore and expand in a safe environment where we can connect with family, old friends, new friends, and the natural wonder of Lake of the Woods. Participating in LOWISA has been an unquantifiable privilege.

As we have been working away on making LOWISA 60 amazing, our actual focus is on ensuring that this adventure is even more inclusive and endures for generations to come. translation – us old ones would like the young ones to take us on a LOWISA adventure when we are 90!

Today more than ever we think that LOWISA has such an important role in all of our lives – simultaneously an active adventure and a safe space to explore, expand and recharge – amazing! We want to share this adventure with as many people as we can. For LOWISA 60 and all LOWISAs into the future we want everyone connected to LOWISA to walk away better than they arrived: more connected to community, nature, and themselves.

We are so excited for LOWISA this year and we hope we will see you soon – old or new friend.

Support LOWISA

LOWISA is a non-profit run entirely by volunteers. You can support LOWISA by making a financial donation that will support our event planning and programming or by volunteering to support regatta planning and implementation. We welcome volunteers of all types and with various skillsets.

Make a Donation

Volunteer with us

Board of Directors

**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.

**Jamie Paterson**
**Winnipeg, Manitoba**
Jamie grew up in Winnipeg and had the opportunity to spend summers on Lake of the Woods. His passion for sailing emerged during childhood when he took sailing lessons at RLWYC. Jamie’s first recurring LOWISA experience was in 2006 on a J-29. He took a four-year break from racing to operate the REPAX (safety) boat and later co-commodored LOWISA 51. Jamie is passionate about growing a culture of safe sport on the lake.

**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.

**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.

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

**Kai Jacobs**
**Winnipeg, Manitoba**
Kai Jacob was relatively new to sailing when he joined longtime friends Vernon Eby and Kyle Kushnier aboard Wee McGregor in 2022 for his first LOWISA (56), an experience he enjoyed so much he quickly declared himself “in for life.” Kai has since sailed LOWISA 57, 58, and 59 with the same core team and other partners, forming lasting friendships within the LOWISA fleet and Northern Harbour community. In 2025, Kai and Vernon purchased Rebel II and raced her in LOWISA 59. A recently retired educator after a 32-year career, Kai also enjoys hockey, pickleball, skiing, travelling, and time at his cottage with friends and family. His love of LOWISA comes from competing and learning alongside close friends on LOTW, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

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.