Meet Your Skipper-Mentors

Chris grew up on the Isle of Man, surrounded by water, and at age 7 started trying to build a boat in his grandparents garage to escape. True story. He still counts his first Yacht Week as the greatest thing he ever did, which ignited his drive to leave the corporate world behind for a life [mostly] outdoors and on the water. It took longer than expected but Chris is now a regular Sailing Virgins instructor after being inspired by fellow instructor, Oran, to team up with us! As an instructor in other walks of life, Chris loves teaching others- especially when it comes to ditching your desk for the dream :)

Hi there, I’m Arthur! A passionate sailor and hospitality professional from Belgium. I strive to make your holiday, no matter what the objective is, a true experience and lifelong memory.

Captain Matthew is a Sailing Virgins instructor bringing expertise and energy to every course.

Founder & CEO of Sailing Virgins

Legendary leader of our Patagonia courses

Over 1000 years ago, a Norwegian Viking named Ragnald Káni led a brutal raid on the Isle of Man, slaughtering locals and looting churches to fund his pillaging voyages across the North Sea. But when he encountered Freya, a Gealic woman from the island, his ruthless mission was abandoned. Captivated by her, he settled on the Isle of Man, fathering many children. 40 generations and 1000 years later, Finn, a descendant of this union, grew up on fishing boats. Dreaming of tropical waters and foreign lands, he sailed to the Mediterranean, working with Yachtweek and then Sailing Virgins, carrying with him the blood of countless sailors. Now, he teaches others to live life on the water, wherever they choose to sail.

I firmly believe that life is defined by the memories we create—seeking adventure, connecting with others, and discovering new places. As a Dutch skipper and instructor with over 15 years of experience, I traded a career in data engineering to pursue this passion full-time. Since age 17, I have been teaching others to sail, combining a strong focus on safety with a relaxed, encouraging coaching style. My goal is to help you thrive in your sailing ambitions while enjoying the most beautiful waters!

UAT co-instructor on the active rehearsal week. [seed:captain-rig-2026]

Fixture instructor used for App Review and staging rehearsals. [seed:captain-rig-2026]

Fixture lead instructor for the co-instructor pair week. [seed:captain-rig-2026]

Fixture second instructor for the co-instructor pair week. [seed:captain-rig-2026]