Tim O'Neill
SkipperTim has been a surfer and sailor for most of his life, learning to surf and sail at age five. He also serves as President of Team O’Neill, is the Board President of O’Neill Sea Odyssey, and oversees the Team O’Neill fleet of ocean-going vessels.
Mike Egan
SkipperBorn and raised in Fresno, California, Mike’s connection to the ocean began while spending time at his family's summer home in Santa Cruz. He worked for O’Neill Yacht Center for five years, holds a 100 ton skippers license, and has been skipper of the Team O'Neill Catamaran for 27 years.
Tracey Weiss
Executive DirectorTracey Weiss is a non-profit Executive Director with 16+ years of experience in environmental education. She uses her passion for environmental education to inspire and engage youth and their adults to take stewardship of California’s natural world.
Abby Newman
Program ManagerAbby Newman started at O'Neill Sea Odyssey (OSO) in 2015 as an Instructor/Deckhand and transitioned into the Program Manager role in 2021. She was drawn to the OSO program for the opportunity to engage and motivate the next generation of ocean stewards to make conscious choices on land that affect our health and oceans.
Riley Chapman
Office AssistantLake Tahoe native Riley Chapman brings a deep passion for Mother Earth and a love of the great outdoors. She works to engage youth in education and environmental advocacy and is thrilled to be part of the O’Neill Sea Odyssey team to help foster future ocean stewards in protecting our natural environment.
Joey Rodrigues
Senior Deckhand / InstructorJoey's connection to the sea was cultivated at a young age, inspiring him to introduce and educate the general public about the wonders that have molded his personal connection with our mother ocean. Joey currently resides in Moss Landing on his sailboat with his dog-friend Merle and is excited to be a part of O’Neill Sea Odyssey.
Jennifer Abbott
Instructor / DeckhandJennifer is honored to be living out her childhood dream as a marine biologist. In addition to working as a Marine Science Instructor for O’Neill Sea Odyssey, she is an active whale-watching naturalist/deckhand and a whale entanglement rescue responder with 10+ years of experience as a steward working on many conservation projects in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Breanne Hunt
Instructor / Senior DeckhandBreanne is a lover of all things ocean-related. She holds a 100-ton Masters Captains' license and has an Able Body Special endorsement with the USCG. She is beyond excited to join the O’Neill Sea Odyssey program and share her love and knowledge of the ocean with a new generation of ocean explorers!
Emily Casaretto
Instructor / DeckhandEmily is from the Bay Area and attended a marine science magnet school as a kid. She now holds a master's degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Washington. She currently volunteers as a school programs instructor at the Seymour Marine Discovery Center and is endlessly fascinated with everything about the ocean. She lives in Santa Cruz with her dog Arrow, who is afraid of waves and loves eating kelp.
Sofia Malinovsky
Instructor / Senior DeckhandSofia was raised in the bay area and came to Santa Cruz for college where she obtained a degree in Marine Biology. During her time at UCSC she joined the UCSC sailing team and began scuba diving, working up from a basic open water certification up to scientific diver. In her free time, she enjoys any ocean-related activity as well as climbing and playing music.
Chanel Robles
Instructor / DeckhandChanel received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Masters in Education from UCSC. She spent five years teaching science in Santa Cruz County before attending Scripps Institution of Oceanography, where she received her master's degree in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation. Chanel is passionate about environmental stewardship and is excited to be joining the O’Neill Sea Odyssey program. She enjoys going on walks, tide-pooling, and snorkeling.