Sailor Spotlight

Sailor Spotlight - Dr. Randy Nunn
  Dr. Nunn is an unsung hero of Barnegat Bay.   He has spearheaded high school sailing not only in our area, but in the entire state of NJ.  His selfless donation of his time has lead to more teams, weekday racing, and competitive regattas all fall and spring long.  We all read that fewer kids stay in the sport and that we need to do more to help grow sailing.  Well Dr. Nunn is doing just that; he is responsible for more high school kids than ever enjoying our... Read more...
Sailor Spotlight: Mike Dowd
Mike Dowd is the head Optimist coach for CERT, a local Optimist team that trains outside the summer months and provides opportunities to travel to national and international events with top coaching.  Originally from Sarasota, FL, Mike moved up to New Jersey two years ago to take over the CERT team.  Mike is a member of the USODA Coaches Council, coaches the US Optimist Nationals Team, and he has been selected to coach the US at many international events.  His wealth of experience and knowledge in the Optimist fleet makes... Read more...
Sailor Spotlight - Alex Rogachenko
Alex Rogachenko is a 32 year old member at Toms River Yacht Club.  His ubiquitous presence during the TRYC Spring and Fall series is noted and appreciated by all parents and sailors alike.  Quite frankly, Alex makes the series run.  He'll gather marks, keep time on the RC boat, inform sailors of the impending Skippers' Meeting and Awards, and walk through the boat park to make sure sailors are rigged and ready.  Alex has a positive attitude in everything he does, and his passion and energy are contagious.  Alex loves... Read more...
Sailor Spotlight - Ben DeFonzo
  Ben DeFonzo is a 14 year old Opti sailor from Pennsylvania who finds himself sailing on Barnegat Bay most weekends during the school year and every day during the summer.  What I love about Ben is that - despite being 14 - he has already sailed the boat for 6 years.  Ben started sailing young, but he loved it so much that he just wanted to be on the water with his friends.  He credits sailing in the off-season and chasing around the older kids as one reason for... Read more...
Sailor Spotlight - Bub and Emma Kovacs
  If you don't know who Bub and Emma Kovacs are, you should.  These two people have donated more hours, helped to run more regattas, and have done so much to support sailing in our area.  Ever sail a regatta at Brant Beach YC before?  There's a good chance that Emma helped you with registration and then rode her bike down to the main club house to serve you breakfast.  Bub, meanwhile, was likely riding through the boat park with his megaphone making announcements to sailors and getting everything ready... Read more...
Sailor Spotlight - Zach Higham
  Zach Higham is a 16 year sailor from Pine Beach, NJ.  Zach is a perfect example of someone we want sailing on the bay; he grew up sailing Optis at Pine Beach Yacht Club (the same club where his mom grew up), he loves sailing in high school and recruiting new teammates, he just bought an M-Scow to race in our BBYRA summer series, and he coaches the next group of sailors at the Island Heights YC.  When most 16 year olds get their Learner's Permit, they want to... Read more...
Sailor Spotlight: Pilar Cundey
  Pilar Cundey is a 13 year old Optimist sailor from Bay Head Yacht Club.  Her hard work and hours in the boat have started to pay dividends.  In the past year she's won races at the Team Trials, qualified for multiple international teams, and become one of the top Opti sailors in the country!  What's even more impressive is that a couple summers ago Pilar was sidelined after a really scary accident.  But she dug deep and has come back stronger than ever!Name:  Pilar CundeyAge:  13School:  Pingry SchoolYacht Club: ... Read more...
Sailor Spotlight: Brooke Schmelz
  Brooke Schmelz is a 15 year old Freshman at the Ranney School. After a successful Opti career, Brooke has now started crewing in the Club 420 and racing on the Ranney HS Sailing Team. She also owns a Laser Radial for days when she just wants to sail herself! As the coach of the Ranney HS Sailing Team, what I admire about Brooke is her work ethic; Brooke is the first one on the water and the last one off the water everyday. She learns from her teammates, and... Read more...
Sailor Spotlight: Michael Pinto
  Michael Pinto was another rock-star Opti sailor from the New Jersey area.  After Optis, Michael chose to jump in to the Laser Radial and joined the Surf City YC's Radial team.  For those who don't know, Surf City YC has one of the best Radial teams in the country.  These talented sailors come together to push each other hard in practice, and they travel nationally and internationally to compete against the best.  Michael's friendly nature and inclusive personality make him a "fan-favorite" among his peers.Name:  Michael PintoAge:  17School:  St.... Read more...
Sailor Spotlight: Sarah Burn
    Sarah Burn is a high school junior who sails for the Bay Head Yacht Club.  Sarah was one of the best Opti sailors to come out of the Barnegat Bay area; she won the Team Race National Champs and represented the US at many international events.  She has now progressed to i420s and Club 420s.  Having coached Sarah in her Opti days, what I admire most about her is her work ethic and how she takes in all information. I always said that Sarah was a "sponge" -... Read more...
Sailor Spotlight: Brendan Hogan
  Name: Brendan HoganAge: 29 Yacht Club: Shore Acres YC (is the place to be!)Schools attended: Donovan Catholic, Ocean County College, Kean University1) Brendan, give me a quick summary of your sailing background.  Where did you grow up sailing?  Did you sail in high school?  College?  etc.I began sailing at the age of 7 in the Shore Acres Yacht Club Jr Sailing Program. At that age, I was not fond of sailing program by any means. In fact, I am pretty sure I had a belly ache that entire summer.... Read more...
Sailor Spotlight: Jeff Bonanni
Jeff Bonanni is one of the best sailors on Barnegat Bay.  Jeff followed up a successful Opti career by winning a Laser Radial National Championship and 3 (count them, THREE) Laser Radial North American Championships!  He attended Boston College where he was an All-American skipper and A-division sailor for the Eagles.  In his post-college sailing career, Jeff has become one of the best E-Scow sailors in the US.  Lately, Jeff has been coaching a group of Club 420 sailors in the spring and fall, in addition to the Rumson-Fair Haven... Read more...