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Richard van der Veen Yachtmaster Instructor and sailing coach

About Me.

From the early days of sailing with  granddad and crewing on the family yacht to becoming an expert RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, I have spent a lifetime gathering invaluable experience on the water. With an accumulated distance sailed of approximately 120,000 nautical miles I have developed a deep understanding of the ocean, seamanship, and the art of sailing. 

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My sailing journey began over 60 years ago, when, at the age of 2, I first set sail with my grandparents. My grandfather, one of the last traditional "Skutsje" skippers, passed on his vast knowledge and skills to me each summer, nurturing my early passion for the sea.

 

As a teenager, I pursued competitive racing in the Laser class while also enjoying summer holidays aboard our family yacht. Alongside sailing, music has always been a lifelong passion. After earning a degree in Business Administration, I embarked on a successful career in the music industry, working in marketing and management for global record companies, and later running my own business for a decade.

 

In my early thirties, I returned to sailing by purchasing my first yacht, a UFO 34. This vessel not only captivated me with its beautiful design but also introduced me to the joys—and challenges—of yacht ownership. Since then, I have become a dedicated serial yacht owner, racing, cruising, and crossing the Bay of Biscay 12 times and the Atlantic twice, embracing everything that sailing has to offer.

 

Before turning 50, I sold my business to pursue a professional sailing career. The first step was earning my RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certification. Relocating from Amsterdam to Portugal, I launched "Algarve Ocean," offering educational day charters on a J120, a thrilling racer-cruiser. Since 2008, I have primarily worked as a sailing coach and instructor. My roles have included overseeing the Yachtmaster program at Club Yachting in Tenerife and serving as a training skipper for Clipper Around the World in the UK, where I spent three years preparing novice sailors for a race around the globe on 72-foot racing yachts.

 

While I firmly believe in the RYA training scheme, it has its focus on relatively smaller yachts managed by a crew of competent sailors. Many sailors eventually find themselves managing larger vessels with limited, less experienced crews, requiring specialized shorthanded techniques and advanced safety management for offshore conditions. My experience as a skipper of 72-foot racing yachts has taught me that not all small-boat handling skills apply to larger yachts.

 

In 2007, my partner Fadwa and I founded "Atlantic Sailing," a successful RYA training center in Lanzarote. Running my own school has allowed me to integrate my personal experience and insights into the RYA syllabus, providing our clients with a unique and enriched learning experience. This approach has resulted in a loyal base of satisfied, returning students.

 

When I'm not working, you'll most likely find me out on the water, doing what I love most—sailing.

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