What brings me the most fulfillment in my work is the opportunity to train and coach young people. Witnessing the transformation from shy late-teenagers to confident skippers is incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about sharing my knowledge, skills, and management techniques—it’s also about passing on values and life experience.
Why Skipper Training is a Powerful Tool for Personal Development:
Learning to skipper a sailing yacht is about more than just acquiring technical skills and theoretical knowledge. A skipper carries the responsibility for both the vessel and crew—often in unpredictable and challenging environments. This requires a unique combination of competencies that extend far beyond sailing itself.
1. Leadership and Decision-Making
A skipper is responsible for the crew, the yacht, and the passage. Every decision must be made by evaluating multiple variables—wind, weather, tides, vessel condition, and crew well-being—none of which are ever exact or predictable.
Passage planning teaches structured thinking, starting with Appraisal (Is this voyage feasible?), followed by Planning,then Execution. While underway, a skipper must constantly Monitor conditions and make adjustments when necessary. Developing Situational Awareness (see my blog) is essential for effective leadership.
Even routine tasks like docking, reefing, and anchoring require a process-oriented approach: Analyze, Plan, Brief, Execute, Monitor, and Adjust when needed (see my blog).
2. Teamwork and Collaboration
Sailing is a team effort, but unlike in many team settings, the crew is not made up of friends and buddies. To operate a yacht successfully, every crew member must communicate clearly, respect one another, and trust in the collective effort.
3. Resilience and Commitment
Sailing demands focus, discipline, and perseverance. From mastering complex maneuvers to enduring long hours on the water—often while seasick and exhausted—there is no option but to push through. Any problem, especially technical ones, must be dealt with immediately before it escalates. The yacht must be kept in top condition, and the crew must be cared for, no matter how tough the circumstances.
4. Connection with Nature
Being at sea fosters a deep appreciation for the natural world. Sailors experience both the beauty and the immense power of the ocean. Learning to respect the environment and understanding sustainability become second nature. Out there, at the mercy of the elements, we realize how small and vulnerable we truly are.
5. Confidence and Independence
Taking command of a yacht instills a profound sense of accomplishment. Successfully navigating through challenging conditions builds self-confidence, resilience, and the courage to take on life’s bigger challenges. The success of the Clipper Round the World Race is built on this very principle.
6. Essential Life Skills
Everything required to manage a yacht—leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability—are life skills that extend far beyond sailing. Traditional education prepares us for specific jobs, often focusing heavily on technical knowledge. Yet, the most valuable life skills are often learned through personal experiences, trial, and error.
Ocean sailing provides an unparalleled platform for developing these essential skills, shaping young people into capable, confident, and resilient individuals, ready to take on whatever life throws at them.
Atlantic Sailing Stories of Growth and Transformation
Nacho, a student from the local fisherman school, enrolled in our “slow-track” Yachtmaster program. Initially, his English skills were far too limited. He stepped away to focus on learning the language and returned six months later, passing his Yachtmaster exam with flying colors. Today, he works as a senior officer on a superyacht in Miami.
Mikey from China,, a 17-year-old, student of an elite US private school, was sent by his father to spend four weeks with me over Christmas. When he arrived, he introduced himself shyly, eyes fixed on the floor, barely understandable. By the end of his training, he stood confidently behind the wheel, commanding the crew with clear instructions. When it was time to tack, he raised his voice, correcting a jib trimmer who had incorrectly set the sheet around the winch. Beyond sailing, he also learned how to cut an onion, slice a tomato and make his bed. In just four weeks, he transformed from a boy into a young man.
Charly, who sadly passed away two years ago, arrived from Cuba to work as a line handler at our marina. He helped us with cleaning and maintenance, occasionally joining training weeks when a spot was available. After 2 years he earned his Yachtmaster certification, secured a position on an expedition vessel, and sailed around the world. His captain encouraged him to continue his studies, and with the income he earned, he was able to buy his mother a new house in Cuba.
GODSPEED CHARLY
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