Naples Model Yacht Club
2024 NMYC Executive Committee
Ron Stryker
Commodore
​
Ron retired in 2017 after 40 years of small business ownership and joined the NMYC in 2018. Although new to RC sailing, he has been an active racer in the DF95, DF65, Soling 1M, and IOM classes. He grew up in Chicago and spent his summers in Wisconsin racing C and A scows. Ron has served as Treasurer in multiple sailing organizations and raced on the MC Scow circuit for 30 years.
Dick Hedderick
Vice Commodore
Dick started RC sailing Soling in 2004 when he joined the NMYC. Soon after he purchased an EC12 and sailed the Florida regatta circuit for several years. With the advent of the DragonFlite 95, Dick sold his 25 pound EC12 and now enjoys sailing the 4 lb. DF95. Dick is also the fleet Captain for the DF95. Recently, Dick purchased an IOM.
Dick and his wife moved to Naples in 1995 and Dick retired in 2004. His big boat experience started with a Laser in 1972 and ended with his last boat, a C&C35.
Sam Westbladh
Secretary
Sam is from Stockholm Sweden. He worked as a pilot for both the Air Force and commercial airlines. Now retired, he has lived in Estero with his wife since 2018.
Although he hadn't had previous race experience, he spent years enjoying recreational sailing in the beautiful Stockholm archipelago.
Sam Joined NMYC in 2019 which was his first contact with the radio controlled sport.
Sam has steadily increased his racing skills and currently competes in the DF65 and DF95 Red Fleets.
Ron Stryker
Treasurer/Webmaster
​
Ron retired in 2017 after 40 years of small business ownership and joined the NMYC in 2018. Although new to RC sailing, he has been an active racer in the DF95, DF65, Soling 1M, and IOM classes. He grew up in Chicago and spent his summers in Wisconsin racing C and A scows. Ron has served as Treasurer in multiple sailing organizations and raced on the MC Scow circuit for 30 years.
Gerhard Kelter
Rear Commodore
​
Hank Sykes
Race Committee Chairman
Gerhard has served as our Club Secretary for seven years. He was the recipient of the Club's highest honor, the Corinthian Spirit award in 2014. Many Club members have benefited from the sailing rules classes he teaches with David Boulanger. These classes have helped us all become better skippers.
Hank has been a member of NMYC since 2018.
He started RC racing with a DF95 then and added
a DF65 in 2021. In December 2022 he also began
racing his DF95 at the Sail Newport Thumb
Yachting Guild in Rhode Island.
Hank has been a US Sailing Club Race Officer
since 2014. He is very active in all roles of Race
Committee for Sail Newport’s annual regatta
calendar, and the annual OneDesign Regatta
at Cedar Point YC in Westport, CT.
Hank started racing seriously in his 40s, campaigning Flying Scots for 30 years at local, regional and national events until 2014.