Lesson Enrollment Deadline / Meet the EYC Staff
The EYC’s next two-week sailing lesson session begins Monday, July 2. There are still a few enrollment slots available at all levels, from Sailing Camp (for those who have finished first grade) through Advanced Racing, and for adults. Noon on Sunday July 1 is the deadline to enroll in lessons for this Session C. For more information about sailing lessons at the EYC, and to enroll, go to www.eyc.org/lessons.
As the EYC grows its membership and lesson enrollment, the quality of the EYC staff becomes more and more important. The EYC is fortunate in 2012 to have an experienced, talented, well-trained and dedicated staff.
Introducing the 2012 EYC staff:
ALEX ZALAR is the EYC’s Director, in charge of all aspects of the EYC’s daily operations, and he supervises and manages the staff. Alex, a career educator from Toledo, OH, holds a B.S. in Math Education from Miami University (Ohio). Alex taught high school math last year at Toledo Christian Schools, and is also working on a Master’s degree. He is joining the faculty at Loyola Academy in Chicago this fall. This is Alex’s fifth summer at the EYC and his third summer as a Director. Alex is Level I and Level II certified as an instructor by US Sailing. Alex loves inspiring EYC juniors to sail for the rest of their lives. Alex was on the Miami U. sailing team, has raced in the Intercollegiate Sloop Championships and the NOOD, and looks forward to his second Hundred-Miler race later this summer.
OLIVIA DEMARINIS, a part-time Senior Instructor, will be a junior this fall at UW-Madison. Olivia was born and raised in Door County and lives in Ephraim. This is her fifth year working at the EYC. She is a graduate of the EYC’s lesson program and is both Level I and Level II certified as an instructor by US Sailing. Olivia’s favorite aspect of working at the EYC is that it is such a welcoming community and at the same time a close-knit family.
WOODY HEIDLER, a Senior Instructor, is in his fifth summer working at the EYC. Woody will be a junior this fall at Iowa State. Woody, from Hinsdale, Illinois, grew up in the EYC’s sailing program and received his EYC Skipper’s License in 2003. Woody is Level I and Level II certified as an instructor by US Sailing. Woody likes to go sailing with his dog on his family’s Hobie Cat. His favorite thing about being an EYC instructor is being able to bring the joy of sailing to so many students.
ISAK PETERSON, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a Senior Instructor. This is his fourth summer working at the EYC. Isak has his Level I and Level II instructor certification from US Sailing. He will be a junior at the University of Kentucky this fall. Isak learned to sail in the EYC’s Optimists and enjoys sailing on his family’s Beneteau First 38 and racing in the EYC’s series races and annual regatta. When he and his brother Stefan were younger, they would ride under the bow of their parents’ Flying Scot during races.
This is Senior Instructor MATT SMITH’s sixth year working at the EYC. “Smitty” will be a senior this fall at Loyola University (Chicago). He is from Kansas City, Missouri and grew up sailing in the EYC’s lesson program. Matt is certified by US Sailing as both a Level I and Level II instructor. He enjoys the solidarity among EYC members and the friendships which are formed, and likes to learn more about sailing and teaching every day.
MAURA ZINGSHEIM will work part of the summer (Sessions C, D and E) as a Senior Instructor. This is Maura’s fourth year working at the EYC and her second as a Senior Instructor. She earned both a Level I and Level II Instructor certification from US Sailing. Maura is from Sheboygan, Wisconsin and will be a sophomore this fall at Southern Methodist University. She is a graduate of the EYC’s lesson program. She likes to work with EYC juniors, who are excited to learn and have a good time.
ALDEN CROWE is a Senior Instructor from Summerland, California. He will be a freshman in the business school at the University of Santa Clara this fall. This is Alden’s third year teaching at the EYC. He is certified by US Sailing as both a Level I and Level II instructor. Alden began sailing on his family’s Hobie Cat and took lessons at the EYC before becoming an instructor. He likes the EYC’s cheerful atmosphere and enjoys finding creative ways to teach.
Junior Instructor ERICA HEIDLER will be a senior at Hinsdale Central High School. She lives in Hinsdale, Illinois. This is her second year working at the EYC. She is a US Sailing Level I certified instructor. Erica is a longtime sailor on her family’s various sailboats, including a Flying Scot and a Hobie Cat. She likes working at the EYC because of the level of responsibility the EYC gives her.
This is Junior Instructor CHARLOTTE JOHNSON’s second year working at the EYC. Charlotte is from Santa Monica, California. Charlotte will be a freshman this fall at University of Colorado at Boulder. She is US Sailing Level I certified. She likes teaching family members how to sail and meeting new people at the EYC.
PETER MOEGENBURG is a Senior Instructor from Elm Grove, Wisconsin. This is his fourth summer working at the EYC. Peter will be a sophomore at Cornell University in the fall. He is both Level I and Level II certified by US Sailing. Peter grew up sailing at the EYC and likes teaching on Eagle Harbor, racing, and sailing his JY-15.
This is Senior Instructor CAMILLE MORLEY’s first year at the EYC but not her first year teaching. In fact, she ran the sailing lesson program last summer at Fox Valley Sailing School. She is US Sailing Level I and Level II certified. She comes from a sailing family which has had many adventures with the Petersons. She loves to race and cruise. She will be a sophomore at St. Olaf this fall, majoring in economics and political science.
SARAH OLSON is a new junior instructor from Johns Creek, Georgia and a summer resident of Door County. In the fall of 2012, she will be a freshman at the University of West Georgia, where she will simultaneously complete her senior year of high school. Sarah is a graduate of the EYC’s lesson program and is Level I certified by US Sailing.
J.R. O’ROURKE is a Junior Instructor from Park Ridge, Illinois, where he will be a senior at Maine South high school. This is his second year working at the EYC. J.R. began sailing when he was four years old on Lake Delavan, Wisconsin. He is a US Sailing Level I certified instructor. J.R. likes how everyone at the EYC acts like family to each other.
TEDDY PAPENTHIEN is a new Junior Instructor from Valencia, California. He will be a junior in high school this fall. He came up through the EYC sailing program and was the winner of the 2010 Sportsmanship Award. He is a US Sailing Level I certified instructor. Teddy loves to race, as well as helping students learn to enjoy sailing as much as he does. In his spare time, he likes to play golf and go out in the family’s kayak.
Junior Instructor STEFAN PETERSON, a native of Milwaukee, will be a junior at Nicolet High School. This is his second year working at the EYC. He enjoys helping students and other members and sailing on his family’s sailboat, a Beneteau First 38 named “Charette”. Stefan has been racing sailboats since he was 8 years old. In 2012, Stefan will do double duty as a part-time Race Manager, running most of the EYC’s Flying Scot, Laser, Flying Junior and Optimist series races.
BRIAN RITTER, a Junior Instructor, will be a senior at Glenbard West High School this fall. He is from Glen Ellyn, Illinois. This is Brian’s second year as an EYC instructor. Brian is a certified US Sailing Level I instructor and likes that he has so many opportunities to race at the EYC.
ERIC RICHTER is a new Junior Instructor from Niles, Illinois. He learned to sail at the EYC and received his skippers license in August 2011. He is very active in Boy Scouts and has sailed 420’s at Colombia Yacht Club in Chicago. He is US Sailing Level I certified. He will be a junior in high school this fall. Eric does a lot of volunteer work and looks forward to sharing his love of sailing with younger sailors.
RYAN QUALKINBUSH is the EYC’s first full-time equipment manager. He is a resident of Sister Bay and learned to sail at the EYC. The last few summers, he has been employed by Leroy’s in addition to freelance boat repair work. He is very adept at boat repair and rigging, and we are happy to have him on staff.
ROB COMSTOCK is a resident of Baileys Harbor and owns Erinnwood Studios with his wife, Jan. He has been a lifelong sailor and loves to pass on his love of the sport. He now has grandchildren who are sailing age, and one will be a student in our program this summer. Rob is volunteering to teach adult classes when he is not woodworking, running the shop, or teaching classes at the Clearing. He is US Sailing Level I certified.