Podcast
Your Pocket Sailing Instructor Podcast
Sailing knowledge you can take anywhere.
Behind the Mic: Meet Coach Penny!
Hey there! I’m Coach Penny, and I’ve been teaching sailing for over 30 years now! Sailing has taken me on some incredible adventures, but one of the things I’ve always loved most is helping others discover just how much fun and rewarding life on the water can be.
I started Your Pocket Sailing Instructor as a way to reach more people and share some of the knowledge, stories, and lessons I’ve collected along the way. And honestly, I’ve been having a blast! From seasickness and sail trim to boat maintenance, charter planning, and everything in between, there’s certainly no shortage of things to talk about when it comes to sailing!
As a Sail Canada coach and instructor evaluator, I’ve spent countless hours working with adult learners of all backgrounds and experience levels. One thing I’ve learned is that everyone learns a little differently. I absolutely love the challenge of finding new ways to explain things, breaking down complicated concepts, and helping someone finally have that wonderful “aha!” moment when everything clicks. Those moments never get old!
My goal with this podcast is pretty simple: to make sailing knowledge accessible, practical, and enjoyable, whether you’re brand new to sailing or have thousands of nautical miles under your keel. I hope each episode leaves you with something useful, a little more confidence, or perhaps some inspiration for your next adventure.
Practical Sailing Knowledge, Wherever Your Adventure Takes You
Welcome to Your Pocket Sailing Instructor — the sailing podcast designed to help you become a more knowledgeable, capable and confident sailor!
Whether you’re just getting started or have years of sailing experience, Your Pocket Sailing Instructor is here to help you build knowledge and confidence on the water. From seamanship and boat maintenance to charter planning and sailing adventures, I share practical tips, real-life experiences and a little humour along the way. Think of me as your sailing coach, right in your pocket!
Ready to keep learning? Grab your headphones and let’s go sailing.
Apparently, I’m not just talking to myself!
With more than 200,000 plays and downloads, 100+ episodes and listeners in more than 65 countries, Your Pocket Sailing Instructor has found its way onto boats, docks, commutes and probably a few boat-project workbenches around the world!
200K+
downloads
65+
countries
How to Listen & Download
Take Coach Penny Wherever You Go!
One of the best things about podcasts is that you can take them just about anywhere! Whether you’re commuting to work, tackling a boat project, relaxing at anchor or heading out on your next sailing adventure, Your Pocket Sailing Instructor is ready to come along. You can listen for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast app. Simply search for Your Pocket Sailing Instructor, hit follow or subscribe, and you’ll be notified when new episodes are released. Heading somewhere without reliable internet? No problem! Most podcast apps let you download episodes ahead of time so you can listen offline. Grab your headphones and let’s get learning!
Recent Episodes
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Your First Trip as Skipper: How to Get It Right
“Remember, every experienced skipper was once a beginner. The important thing is to get out there, keep learning, and enjoy the adventure!“ ~ Sailing According to Coach Penny There’s a moment in every sailor’s journey when you realize that you’re ready to take charge. No instructor beside you, no experienced skipper making the decisions. Just…
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Beating the Winter Blues – how I stay engaged in my sailing over the winter!
“Just because the boat isn’t moving doesn’t mean your sailing adventures have to stop!” ~ Sailing According to Coach Penny Alright, winter sucks for us northern sailors! True, I am lucky that my boat is in the water, but it’s cold! I haven’t sailed in months and I’m going through withdrawal (the winter blues)! So,…
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Don’t be a jerk! Boating Etiquette
“Good boating manners don’t cost a thing, but bad ones can ruin everyone’s day on the water!” ~ Sailing According to Coach Penny This week I am talking all about being a good boating neighbour! How to be a safe, and non-jerky, boater! There are a few unwritten rules to keep in mind about boating…
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Boating Superstitions
“No bananas, no whistling, and always step aboard with your right foot. Sailors are a superstitious bunch!” ~ Sailing According to Coach Penny Life has been throwing me some curveballs lately so I started wondering if I had somehow broken some sacred oath or fallen on bad luck. I just can’t seem to catch a…
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Renaming Ceremonies!
“I’m not saying sailors are superstitious, but if you’re going to rename your boat, you’d better have a proper ceremony, a little something for Neptune, and enough bubbly to keep everyone happy. After all, why tempt fate when you’re heading out to sea?” ~ Sailing According to Coach Penny It is kinda appropriate that my…
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The Skipper Mindset Shift
“Being skipper isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about taking responsibility for the decisions you make.” ~ Sailing According to Coach Penny There comes a point in almost every sailor’s journey when you realize something interesting: you probably already know more than you think you do! You can steer the boat. You understand how the sails…
Want to Dig a Little Deeper?
Some sailing topics deserve more than one episode! I’ve grouped together episodes that build on one another, giving us a chance to explore a subject in more detail. Whether you’re working toward taking command, trying to figure out what kind of sailor you want to be, or simply want to understand your sails a little better, these series are a great place to start.
CURATED PODCAST & READING JOURNEYS
Not Sure Where to Start?
With over 100 episodes covering everything from sailing basics to offshore adventures, there’s a lot to explore! If you’re new to the podcast, why not start with a topic that interests you? Want to build your confidence? Check out my From Passenger to Confident Skipper series. Planning your first charter? I’ve got you covered there too! Or simply browse the episodes and see what catches your eye. There’s no particular order you need to follow—just pick a topic, press play and enjoy!
“Penny’s podcast is just what I was looking for! The right mix of information, education and common sense.”
“After my husband passed I was nervous to take out our boat. Penny’s episodes are giving me the confidence I need to keep learning and growing as a sailor.”
“It’s great to listen to a podcast that is not all about offshore sailing or the “look at me” skipper. The episodes are concise and to the point!”
Have a Sailing Question?
Got a Sailing Question? I’d Love to Hear It!
Some of my best podcast ideas come from listeners just like you! Have a question about sailing, a topic you’d love me to explore or a story worth sharing? Send it my way! After more than 30 years of teaching, I still love a good sailing question, and chances are, if you’re wondering about something, another sailor is too!
