Sailing Virgins

Our Instructors

Meet Your Skipper-Mentors

Technical Legends. Social Anchors. The people we trust to keep you safe, teach you the ropes, and make sure you have the best week of your life.

100%

ASA Certified

130,800+

Combined NM Sailed

700+

Students Taught

1+

Avg Years Experience

The Sailing Virgins Way

We don't just hire instructors; we create them. Founder James Kell conducts intensive instructor training clinics twice a year. Admission is by application only, and typically requires at least two ocean crossings and multiple seasons as a professional skipper.

Because we run our own Instructor Academy, every mentor on our boats uses modern psychological techniques to manage stress and learning blocks. That means no shouting, just patient, high-energy leadership.

Elite

Selection Process

2x/Year

Training Clinics

Top 10%

Industry Selection

4.98

Avg Student Rating

The “Mullet” Training Philosophy

Business in the front, party in the back. Our instructors are technically elite and socially magnetic.

The Business (Technical)

  • ASA/RYA Certified Instructors
  • Thousands of offshore miles
  • Diesel engine specialists
  • Emergency response trained

The Party (Social)

  • World-class hospitality skills
  • Expert mixologists (Painkillers!)
  • Galley masters & grill heroes
  • Ukulele optional, energy required

The Heritage

  • Recruited from top flotilla skippers
  • Years of high-stakes experience
  • Proven under pressure
  • Battle-tested leaders

Our Instructor Team

Get to know the legends who will guide your sailing journey

Chris Edmonds

10,500 NM

Captain Chris

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

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 :)

BVI • Croatia • French Polynesia • St. Martin • Thailand
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PC

Captain Pascal

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

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

BVI • St. Martin
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NB

40,000 NM

Captain Nacha

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

Legendary leader of our Patagonia courses

BVI • St. Martin • Patagonia
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Arthur Denooze

Captain Arthur

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

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.

Croatia • French Polynesia • Greece • Split, Croatia
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Joep Hoffland

6,000 NM

Captain Joep

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

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!

BVI • Croatia • French Polynesia
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MM

Captain Matthew

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

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

Croatia • Tortola, British Virgin Islands
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Finn Cain

Captain Finn

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

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.

BVI • Croatia • Madeira • St. Martin
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Gegio Aranzabal Delgado

8,000 NM

Captain Gegio

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

🧿Born and raised in Italy with South American roots — Italian soul, Peruvian blood. 🧿 RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Commercially Endorsed) Captain & Sailing Instructor with 6+ years of professional experience in private and bareboat charters. 🧿Extensive experience with American and international crews across the Mediterranean and Caribbean. 🧿Strong focus on safety, guest training, and hands-on sailing on both monohulls and catamarans. 🧿Calm, reliable, and guest-oriented skipper who believes strangers start the week together and leave as family. 🧿Creative soul off the water — painter, traveler, and video making

St. Martin
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Giacomo Russo

6,800 NM

Captain Giacomo

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

Ciao! I’m Giacomo, your Italian instructor for this adventure. I grew up in the Dolomites but have always been drawn to the sea—it’s where I feel more in piece. As a skipper, I’m easygoing, positive, and always up for good conversation (or just letting the ocean do the talking). My goal is to make sure everyone feels comfortable, safe, and free to enjoy the journey at their own pace. When I’m not on the water, you’ll probably find me listening some music, traveling, playing some sport or just enjoy the time with friends and family. A fun fact about me: when i was a kid i hated to sail and the boat environment and now i love to share this world with passion and meet new people from all over the world. I can’t wait to welcome you aboard and share some unforgettable moments together. Here’s to smooth sailing, great company, and plenty of fun!

Croatia • French Polynesia • St. Martin
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James Kell

40,000 NM

Captain James

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

Founder & CEO of Sailing Virgins

Croatia
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Joshua Ellis

8,000 NM

Captain Joshua

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

Sailed since the age of 4. YM Offshore, RORC offshore racing 2x Fastnest Races Charter experience in Turkey, Greece, Sardinia, Syechelles, England, Ireland, Scotland, Windward Isles (St Lucia, Grenadines, St Vincent, Martinique), Croatia, Italy. I love the serenity of anchoring in a cove and being the only boat there - to experience that private moment with those onboard. Magic. Oh - and give me a roaring gale over a breeze - any day of the week!

Croatia • Split, Croatia
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Samuel Darmon

10,000 NM

Captain Samuel

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

Environmental engineer turned professional sailor. For me, sailing is about another dimension — the way a week on the water pulls people closer to each other and to the natural world, at a pace nothing on land can match. Helping people discover that is the part I love most. Over three years of chartering I’ve sailed everything from a lake one-design to a Swan 68. Plenty of cruising catamarans like the Lucia 40, as well as more performance, daggerboard cats (Catana). Obviously alongside the Oceanis, Bénéteau, jeanneau and Dufour monohulls that make up most charter fleets. I’m as at home on a high-latitude delivery — I’ve skippered one from Svalbard to Tromsø — as I am in the warm water I love best: Guadeloupe, the Greek islands, and the Bahamas next on my list.

BVI
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SP

1,500 NM

Captain Stefan

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

6 years charter experience in Greece, Granada, St. Vincent, Bahamas, BVI Owner of an ODay 302

St. Martin
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DH

Captain Dominic

ASA Certified InstructorSailing Virgins Instructor

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

BVI
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Ready to Learn from the Best?

Our instructors are waiting to share their passion for sailing with you.