About Ryan Squires

Ryan grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where he discovered his passion for sailing at age seven in an Optimist. He quickly developed a reputation for versatility, honing his racing skills in the Opti, ILCA c420 and Thistle circuits and later followed faster racing in the VX One, M15, J70, 470. 

As a junior sailor, Ryan earned multiple youth titles and founded his high school’s sailing team, leading them to a state championship. He also clinched the competitive Area E championship title four years in a row in both the ILCA and Thistle. Ryan is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio with a B.S. in Commerce, majoring in Small Business Management with a concentration in Data-Driven Decision Making. During his collegiate career, he made history for Miami U by winning the MCSA Singlehanded College Sailing Championship in the ILCA-7.

At 15, Ryan began his coaching career as a certified U.S. Sailing Instructor at Hoover Sailing Club. He has since become a sought-after high-performance coach, mentoring many of the top youth sailors in America. His coaching resume includes leading athletes at the U.S. Youth Championship Regatta, working with top-tier high school teams, and specialized coaching in the i420, ILCA, and Optimist classes.

Ryan’s leadership roles have included Head Optimist Racing Coach at Sachems Head Yacht Club, Head ILCA Racing Coach at the Carolina Yacht Club, and Sailing Director at the Columbia Sailing Club. At age 21, he earned his Merchant Mariner’s Credential through the U.S. Coast Guard, serving on various elite vessels including a Sabre 66’ motor yacht and Two Oceans 55’ motor-catamaran.

In 2024, Ryan competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the ILCA-7 and subsequently earned a spot in the U.S. Sailing Olympic Development Program. To push the boundaries of American excellence, he transitioned to the 470 class with Nikole Barnes to campaign for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Today, Ryan is shifting his professional focus toward Performance Analysis, leveraging his technical background and data-driven mindset. Alongside his analytical work, Ryan remains a dedicated leader through American Wave. His mission remains clear: to honor America, inspire the next generation of sailors, and help athletes achieve excellence through the power of sport.

Fun Fact: When Ryan isn't analyzing polar diagrams or out on the wire, you'll likely find him on a surf or foil board, throwing up a big shaka and shouting his favorite life motto: "Livin' Stoke!"