Waterfront Center hires Coach Zach Runci for High School Sailing

By Leader Staff

The Waterfront Center in Oyster Bay has announced that Coach Zach Runci has joined the WaterFront Center’s High School Sailing coaching staff.

Runci recently served as Head Sailing Coach at Fordham University, after nearly ten years leading the SUNY Maritime College sailing program. He brings more than a decade of collegiate and youth coaching experience to the Waterfront Center.

During his tenure at SUNY Maritime, Runci's teams qualified for numerous ICSA National Championships across multiple disciplines, including two Top-5 national finishes, and dozens of Academic All-American distinctions.

"Youth sailing has always been central to Zach’s coaching career," stated the Waterfronbt Center in a press release. "Since 2011, he has coached with the Bellport Bay Sailing Foundation, where he currently serves as Head Race Coach. Under his leadership, Bellport junior sailors have consistently dominated the GSBYRA league, winning multiple team trophies and most recently sweeping the podium in the 2025 Grand Prix Championship Series."

Runci is a graduate of Old Dominion University, where he competed in the ICSA for four years and helped qualify his team for four Open National Championship events.

He remains an active competitor in one-design and team racing and has won multiple Grade 3 match racing regattas through Oakcliff Sailing Center.

"Coach Runci’s experience at the highest levels of collegiate sailing, combined with his dedication to youth racing and athlete mentorship, makes him an incredible addition to our High School Sailing program," added the Waterfront Center. "We are confident that his leadership will strengthen our competitive pathway and inspire our student-athletes both on and off the water."