Learning a new skill can be scary.
But learning a new skill from an Air Force veteran who’s spent 15 years teaching pilots to fly in some of the world’s most challenging environments has its perks.
Having grown up in the “Sailing Capital of the World” – also known as Annapolis, Maryland – Jesse Stubbs, the man behind Zephyr Sailing Club, a 501(c)(3) based in Medford and dedicated to teaching individuals to swim and sail, wanted to give back to his community.
“Sailing can be a very cost prohibitive sport, so our model is to bring the boats to you, and pair you with the right boat for your learning development,” Stubbs said.
But even with cost in mind, Stubbs is proud to run a program with US Sailing Level I instructors who train youth on the Optimist, ILCA 7 Laser Standard and CS420 sailboats – all fleets that the US Olympic Committee uses for selection.
Sailing has also been a family affair for Stubbs ever since he was a kid.
“We didn’t come from much, but I remember my dad driving to work at Port Annapolis in a dinghy to drive the travel-lift for boats,” said Stubbs.
He also grew up going to sailing camp, but his grandpop (the Commodore of the Magothy River Sailing Association) helped run it, and his sister and cousins also attended.
Fast forward to the last couple of years, and Stubbs has successfully trained hundreds of rookie sailors to boat, even race – current regatta locations range from the Chesapeake Bay to the Metedeconck River to Long Beach Island – and you could be next.
Amy Rosetti has been sailing with Zephyr for over a year and grew up in Medford Lakes. Having received her sailing safety and instruction certification in-house with Stubbs’ “help and encouragement,” she eventually got hired as the Lead Sailing Instructor for Medford Lakes Colony Camp, where she got to put her learnings about boats, navigation, and safety laws to the test.
“It’s been an amazing journey. Jesse goes out of his way to share his love of sailing and skills with any and all who are interested,” Rosetti said.
“Zephyr’s future is limitless. We want to dig in and teach underprivileged kids and adults to sail, and build their confidence in a life skill,” explained Jesse Stubbs, founder of Medford-based Zephyr Sailing Club, on his vision for making sailing more accessible and expanding opportunities for youth and adults to learn the sport.
“There is nothing like being out on the water, with the wind in your sails, the blue sky above and nature all around you! Zephyr Sailing will teach you a life skill that you can enjoy for all your years to come. I highly recommend you come give it a try and join in the fun.”
Rachel Lange, a US Sailing Level I Instructor who prepped for her early-season sailing certification course with Zephyr, wouldn’t have felt as comfortable or confident on the water without the refresher.
Stubbs of course went over sailing and rigging various fleets, but also powerboating, complete with channel navigation and maneuvering skills.
“Jesse is knowledgeable, patient, and does a great job adapting instruction to the experience level and goals of his students,” Lange said. “I look forward to sailing with him again!”
“The other instructors at Zephyr have the same zeal. That is our culture: to smile at seeing someone learn and perfect a new skill,” Stubbs said.
With the objective to send competitive racing teams to five regattas on the Jersey Shore and in the region this year, Stubbs knows that 2024 was indeed just the beginning for the club.
“Zephyr’s future is limitless. We want to dig in and teach underprivileged kids and adults to sail, and build their confidence in a life skill,” Stubbs said.
Stubbs’ passion for providing need-blind programs has led to offering opportunities for ILCA07 and CS420 sailing at Atsion Lake, reducing the barriers to learning about water safety and getting educated about personal flotation devices – as well as the desire to offer swimming lessons in the same fashion.
And, he wants to partner with more schools and groups that share that mission, and include those with special needs. Stubbs wants to expand with a new location in LBI conducting varsity high school and Olympic developmental sailing, too.
While Zephyr has grown from training just at Medford Lakes to Atsion Lake, Cooper River in Collingswood, and Barnegat Bay, Stubbs has visions of participating in more locations and special community events to spread the sport he’s so passionate about.
“Before there were houses in Medford Lakes, there were sailing regattas. This was a place of summer homes for the titans of industry in Philadelphia,” Stubbs said.
“Now we are a diverse community, but Zephyr breathed the heritage of sailing back into the town. We are happy to offer sailing at Colony Camp as a testament to this heritage.”
Ready to get started with a class, a private solo lesson, or even a group session for friends and families? Check out www.zephyr-sailing.com.
