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Episode #141: Emily Zugnoni on Teaching Kids and Adults to Sail

By Monica Grant | May 7, 2024

This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by Emily Zugnoni to chat about her transition from sailing passenger to sailing instructor. Emily is the Program Director at Alameda Community Sailing Center (ACSC), winner of US Sailing’s 2023 Outstanding Community Sailing Program Award.

Hear the differences in teaching kids and adults how to sail, what makes sailing so fun, the perks of having a sailing mentor, the races she’s most enjoyed, and the time she had to cut her hair while sailing.

 

This episode covers everything from teaching sailing to beer can races. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear:

  • How old are the kids Emily teaches?
  • Does she like dinghy sailing or keelboat sailing better?
  • What are the ACSC sailing programs?
  • Where are they located?
  • How many kids have participated in them?
  • Are the kids or adults more afraid on the water?
  • What holds people back from sailing?
  • Short Tacks: Where’s Emily’s dream place to sail?

Learn more at SailAlameda.org and on Instagram and Facebook @SailAlameda.

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.

Good Jibes #141 Emily Zugnoni at helm

Show Notes

  • Emily Zugnoni on Teaching Kids and Adults to Sail
    • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
    • [0:32] John Arndt
    • [0:34] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
    • [0:55] Learn more at SailAlameda.org and on Instagram and Facebook @SailAlameda
    • [2:07] What’s a story that shaped Emily as a sailor?
    • [2:33] ACSC (Alameda Community Sailing Center)
    • [3:12] Laser
    • [3:41] How old are the kids Emily teaches?
    • [4:43] How did she start sailing with her grandfather?
    • [5:48] How did she become a sailing instructor?
    • [6:38] Where did she get her certification from US Sailing?
    • [7:12] How was it learning to sail a dinghy?
    • [8:44] Does Emily like dinghy sailing or keelboat sailing better?
    • [10:32] Set sail with Club Nautique! Learn more at ClubNautique.net
    • ACSC (Alameda Community Sailing Center)
    • [11:44] What are the ACSC sailing programs?
    • [12:48] How many boats do they have?
    • [13:12] Does Emily teach adults as well?
    • [14:31] Are the majority of campers Alameda residents?
    • [14:54] How do they find kids for the ACSC sailing programs?
    • [15:44] Where are the ACSC sailing programs?
    • [17:25] How big is the staff at ACSC?
    • [18:34] What award did they win this year?
      [19:08] How many kids have participated in ACSC sailing programs?
    • [19:24] Why does Emily love being a sailing instructor?
    • [21:33] How do you overcome fear on the water?
    • [22:45] Are the kids or adults more afraid on the water?
    • [24:16] What are the biggest challenges for ACSC?
    • [25:32] What’s the community of sailing instructors like?
    • [26:54] Does ACSC become a feeder for US Sailing?
    • [28:19] What does Emily’s racing world look like?
    • [29:35] Does she ever crew on another boat?
    • [30:08] What does she do in the winter?
    • [31:02] Set sail with Club Nautique! Learn more at ClubNautique.net
    • [32:24] How do we get more people excited about sailing?
    • [35:24] “Emily Zugnoni: Lessons from my Grandfather”
    • [36:08] What’s the Estuary community like?
    • [38:32] Is Emily a member of a yacht club?
    • [39:14] Are the yacht club communities changing?
    • [40:35] What holds people back from sailing?
    • Short Tacks
    • [42:50] What is Emily’s favorite sailboat make and model?
    • [43:14] What’s her racer-cruiser ratio?
    • [44:52] Where’s her favorite place to sail?
    • [45:24] Where’s her dream place to sail?
    • [45:48] What’s the most important safety item other than a life jacket?
    • [47:04] The Racing Rules of Sailing by US Sailing, Teaching Sailing the Fun Way by US Sailing
    • [47:25] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
    • [47:48] What Final Thoughts does Emily have?
    • [50:16] Learn more at SailAlameda.org and on Instagram and Facebook @SailAlameda
    • [50:35] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
    • [50:44] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
    • [50:52] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
    • [51:28] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
    • [51:42] Check out the May 2024 issue of Latitude 38
    • Theme Song: “Pineapple Dream” by Solxis
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