Episode #21: Rich Jepsen on Teaching Others How to Sail

Welcome back to Latitude 38’s podcast, Good Jibes! In this podcast, we’re bringing you the world of sailing through the eyes of the West Coast Sailor. Each week, you’ll hear stories and tips from the West Coast sailing community on cruising, racing and just plain sailing. Cast off, laugh and learn, and become a better sailor. Hosted by John Arndt, Nicki Bennett, Ryan Foland, and the team at Latitude 38 – the sailing magazine for West Coast sailors since 1977!

This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Rich Jepsen to chat his lifetime of sailing instructing, racing, and US Sailing. Rich is the President of US Sailing and has spent 34 years as Managing Partner of OCSC Sailing, a commercial sailing school and club. He’s been sailing since he was a child, has spent multiple decades on numerous sailing committees, and 3 separate stints on the US Sailing Board of Directors. Hear how to become a sailing instructor, encourage others to get into sailing, the changing demographics of sailing, how to make sailing cost effective, and the benefits you get as a US Sailing Member.

This episode covers everything from teaching sailing to family sailing trips. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• How has Rich’s teaching approach changed over time?
• What kind of sailing did they do as a family?
• How did Rich get into sailing as a career?
• Why would he encourage others to be a sailing instructor?
• What got him hooked at US Sailing?
• How do you get people into sailing?
• What are the next steps for US Sailing?
• Short Tacks: West Coast vs. East Coast sailing?

Learn more at https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/san-francisco-bay-sailor-rich-jepsen-takes-helm-us-sailing/.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, 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

• Rich Jepsen on Teaching Others How to Sail
  • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [0:28] John Arndt
  • [0:48] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [0:53] Learn more at https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/san-francisco-bay-sailor-rich-jepsen-takes-helm-us-sailing/
  • [3:03] What is a story that shaped Rich about sailing?
  • [4:41] Air Force
  • [5:09] Annapolis Sailing School
  • [5:52] How has Rich’s teaching approach changed over time?
  • [7:01] What kind of sailing did they do as a family?
  • [7:52] Provincetown, MA, Nantucket
  • [8:13] How many kids was that?
  • [9:42] How did Rich get into sailing as a career?
  • [9:48] Meteorologist
  • [10:02] San José State University
  • [12:12] Berkeley Marine Center
  • [13:07] Why would Rich encourage others to be a sailing instructor?
  • [15:13] How do you get people into sailing?
  • [15:52] OCSC Sailing
  • [17:38] COVID-19
  • [18:34] How would you like it if we sent Latitude 38 to your home each month? Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com/Subscriptions
  • US Sailing
  • [19:47] What got Rich hooked at US Sailing?
  • [23:17] How does US Sailing view West Coast & East Coast sailing?
  • [25:45] Check out the US Sailing website
  • [26:16] What does it mean for US Sailing to have Paul Cayard and the Olympics onboard?
  • [27:52] West Marine US Open Series
  • [29:26] What should cruisers see in US Sailing?
  • [30:04] Safety-at-Sea Courses
  • [30:22] US Sailing Benefits
  • [31:51] REACH Program
  • [34:08] What are the next steps for US Sailing?
  • [38:44] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
  • Short Tacks
  • [39:11] What is Rich’s dream boat?
  • [39:48] What is his racing-to-cruising ratio?
  • [40:32] What’s the longest voyage he’s been on?
  • [41:56] West Coast vs. East Coast sailing?
  • [43:31] What would he tell people who are hesitant to go sailing?
  • [45:42] Latitude 38 Crew List
  • [46:13] Why sail?
  • [49:06] What’s the most important safety item other than a life jacket?
  • [50:29] What’s Rich’s biggest fear on the water?
  • [51:07] Kim Swims
  • [51:22] What’s Rich’s favorite sailing book?
  • [51:38] Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum
  • [52:13] Billy Budd by Herman Melville
  • [53:28] What final thoughts does Rich have?
  • [53:52] Become a US Sailing Member here 
  • [54:52] Connect with Rich on social media
  • [55:31] Learn more at https://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/san-francisco-bay-sailor-rich-jepsen-takes-helm-us-sailing/
  • [55:56] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [56:05] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
  • [56:17] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [56:28] Check out the January 2022 issue of Latitude 38
  • Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS

Thanks for listening to Rich Jepsen & John Arndt on Good Jibes with Latitude 38. Subscribe here to receive Latitude 38 to your home each month.