Episode #148: John Riise on the Evolution of Latitude 38 Sailing Magazine

This week’s host, Ryan Foland, is joined by John Riise, who’s written and edited for Latitude 38 Sailing Magazine since 1984 and has more stories than Latitude 38 has ever told.

Hear his favorite sailing stories of all time, what the early days of Latitude 38 were like, how the technology has progressed over the years, the behind-the-scenes of Changes in Latitudes, and what makes the sailors in the Latitude 38 community so special.

This episode covers everything from typewriters to Lasers. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• How did John get into sailing?
• Where did he stop on Catalina Island growing up?
• How did he come to work at Latitude 38?
• Why should you sign up for the Baja Ha-Ha?
• What was the technology like in the early days of Latitude 38?
• How does John find stories to feature?
• Why is it so important for the Latitude 38 community to support the magazine?
• What’s another memorable sailing story John can share?

Submit your sailing stories to [email protected].

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and your other favorite podcast spots — follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!

Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

• John Riise on the Evolution of Latitude 38 Sailing Magazine
  • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [0:32] Ryan Foland
  • [1:08] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [1:16] Submit your sailing stories to [email protected]
  • [1:40] What’s a sailing story that sticks out to John?
  • [4:17] How did he get into sailing?
  • [4:49] How did his dad get into sailing?
  • [5:19] Did they ever sail to Catalina Island?
  • [8:02] Santa Cruz Island
  • [8:28] Where did John stop on Catalina Island?
  • [11:01] What boats has he owned?
  • [11:32] Has he ever owned a Laser?
  • [11:52] ABYC (Alamitos Bay Yacht Club)
  • [12:04] Is John more of a small boat or big boat guy? 
  • [12:22] Paint your boat like a pro with Interlux! Learn more at Interlux.com
  • Latitude 38 Sailing Magazine
  • [13:29] How did John come to work at Latitude 38?
  • [14:43] How did Richard Spindler become the Grand Poobah?
  • [16:28] UC Santa Barbara
  • [16:52] Sea of Cortez Sailing Week
  • [17:55] Baja Ha-Ha
  • [18:04] Episode #147: “Sea of Cortez, Stad Amsterdam, and 30th Baja Ha-Ha (Latitude 38 Verbatim)”
  • [19:02] Why should you sign up for the Baja Ha-Ha?
  • [21:18] What was the technology like in the early days of Latitude 38?
  • [22:04] Was there a darkroom for photography?
  • [23:02] IBM Selectric
  • [25:38] How does John find stories to feature?
  • [27:38] Internet
  • [28:03] How does John create Changes in Latitudes?
  • [30:05] “World of Chartering” by Ryan Foland
  • [30:38] Submit your sailing stories to [email protected]
  • [33:59] Why are sailors good writers & storytellers?
  • [36:32] Paint your boat like a pro with Interlux! Learn more at Interlux.com
  • Latitude 38 Community
  • [38:58] Why is it so important for the Latitude 38 community to support the magazine?
  • [41:28] What’s another memorable sailing story John can share?
  • [45:23] Check out all the issues of Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com/Magazine 
  • [47:35] Connect with Ryan at Ryan.Online
  • [47:42] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [47:50] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
  • [48:10] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [48:19] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
  • [48:24] Check out the June 2024 issue of Latitude 38
  • [48:52] What’s the story of the Lasers with John Arndt?
  • Theme Song: “Pineapple Dream” by Solxis