Gregory Stiegel

I grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts. My family and I would spend as much time outside as possible, hiking, camping, skiing, windsurfing, and more. I enjoyed high school and was involved in varsity soccer, ski team and various student clubs. I completed my undergraduate degree at New York University, studying History and Environmental Studies. I had the unique experience of being one of the 12 students in the first graduating class from the Environmental Studies program. We were fortunate enough to be part of shaping how the program developed. I graduated with honors in 2009.

After university, I began nomadically living and working near world-class outdoor recreation destinations. After several ski seasons in Colorado and Wyoming, I settled in Hood River, OR, where I soon began to work as the Executive Director for the Colombia Gorge Windsurfing Association, a 501.c.3 nonprofit organization. Hood River is where I learned to kite and continued to pursue all things outdoors, including backcountry skiing, mountain biking, and surfing. When not outside, I spend my free time with family, friends, and playing music.

Additionally, I am always looking for an excuse to travel and have been fortunate enough to explore many places in North, Central, and South America, as well as stints in the Middle East, and now northern and southern Africa, and southern Europe.

I stepped down from my position at the CGWA in 2016 and moved to Anchorage, Alaska with my partner to explore a new corner of the world. I began working for World Class Academy in the Spring of 2017. World Class Academy offers an amazing balance of world travel, engaging academic thought, lots of outdoor activity, and having a blast with some talented youth kiteboarders. I am so excited for what is coming next here at WCA!