Heroes of TYW - Skippers

If you have been on TYW you will know that being a TYW skipper automatically makes you 10 times cooler...We caught up with some fan favourites to find out what life looked like for them before Quarterdeck academy.

Pieter Van Steenis, 34, The Netherlands

When did you start working for Quarterdeck and what made you get involved!?

I have been sailing and on the water my whole life, I was looking for an escape from my corporate life and decided to get my Yacht Master in South Africa. During my YM-course I met amazing people who were doing their YM as preparation for QD Academy and we connected very well. They convinced me to do QD Academy with them in April 2019 and I am very grateful that they did as it gave me the perfect escape from corporate life and the start of a life on the water.

What did you do before you applied to the Quarterdeck Academy?

I had a career at Tesla for 6 years working across Europe and Australia. 

How would you say your life has changed from then until now? 

What many people do not realise is that, apart from the responsibility and long hours, is that when you captain a yacht with guests you truly make or break someones holiday. Your guests are there to have a good time, with little more effort you can turn their holiday from a great one into an amazing one. It is amazing to see the smiles on peoples faces and super rewarding to start the week as strangers and end the week as friends. 

What is your favourite part about the QD community? 

The fact that it’s not just about being able to drive a boat but also prepares you for crew management and everything else that’s required to be a safe, great and responsible skipper.

How would you summarise a day in the life of a skipper? 

A great and amazing combination of admin, sailing, crew management, food, fun and partying with friends

What is your favourite part about being a skipper?

Sailing different yachts with different guests every week, showing them the most amazing places. Meanwhile you’re lucky enough to be doing this with your skipper and hosts friends!

Describe a memory from TYW or QD that you know will stay with you forever?

Hosting a party on the front of our yacht with a SOUNDBOKS until 3am under the stars in a natural bay with just friends, amazing!

If you could give someone one piece of advice before they go on the QD academy what would it be?

Stay humble, have a ‘can do mentality', listen to your peers and give them honest feedback, realise that the real learning starts during the season so keep learning!

Helene Hedenstrand, 33, Sweden

When did you start working for Quarterdeck and what made you get involved!?

I started as a host back in 2015, and I just randomly stumbled over QD as I was celebrating midsummer in a small fishing village on the west coast of Sweden and randomly met some TYW Skippers who told me about it and I was hooked.

What did you do before you applied to the Quarterdeck Academy?

I’ve actually been working corporate simultaneously at an communications agency up until last year when I quit and pursued my dream of transitioning from a host to a skipper, so I packed my bags and flew to South Africa where I did my Yachtmaster and then Skipper academy in April 2021. For me I wanted to be a skipper since I started as a host and I’m very fortunate to be able to do it. Even more having such good support from my instructors and skippers throughout my first season has been invaluable. There’s always someone willing to help, discuss and give advice and as a new skipper that is probably the best support you’ll ever find. I learned so much from my fellow skips this season and I’m very thankful for that.

How would you say your life has changed from then until now? 

I’m very thankful for the people I’ve met and the endless motivation and stories of the adventures they’ve pursued, our QD family is a special kind that is very keen on exploring the world in various ways, I learn something new every day, from tips while anchoring to what loyalty program gets you upgraded more often, which gyros place is the best or where you can find the best surf in the world.

What is your favourite part about the QD community? 

The people. We are a big family and waking up every morning, walking down the dock with the trash and saying hi to 20+ of your friends makes my morning every day. You’re never alone and there’s always someone to laugh, cry or banter with. The banter we have is unreal, I would say we are probably the most fun people you’ll find.

How would you summarise a day in the life of a skipper? 

The best part for me is that no day is the same, you still have the various chores to do and even if the itinerary is usually similar the guests are new every week, or the weather has changed, it’s a different boat so it’s always something new to wrap your head around.

What is your favourite part about being a skipper?

Honestly I love scrubbing the deck.. seeing the boat sparkling clean is one of my favourite feelings lol! But also seeing your guests having the best time ever, if it’s from finding a “secret” anchorage to exploring islands with them and then taking them to your favourite dinner spots and then dance the night away. And also of course my skipper and host family, having them around at all time!

Describe a memory from TYW or QD that you know will stay with you forever?

There’s too many, but every hug and every smiling face when you’re back for the season and haven’t met for many months. When you see that person at the first meeting on the Saturday and you just start screaming and hugging, that’s such a great feeling. And then you see the next person, and the next one, and the next one..

If you could give someone one piece of advice before they go on the QD academy what would it be?

Read the theory again. Read all the materials, check out videos on Med mooring and anchoring, read everything over and over so you really get it.

Jake Lockwood, 27, USA

When did you start working for Quarterdeck and what made you get involved!?

I started working for Quarterdeck this past spring, April 2021. I was looking to shake things up and in particular was looking for a new adventure. When I went on a sailing vacation in the Caribbean, I had the opportunity to meet QD skippers and hosts who absolutely raved about their experiences. Their stories and daily lives made me want to be a part of QD! 

What did you do before you applied to the Quarterdeck Academy?

Prior to Quarterdeck Academy I was working in the corporate world in New York City. However, being from Montana, I always wanted to spend my days outside and not in the office. So most of the time I spent those NYC days day dreaming about outdoor adventures. 

How would you say your life has changed from then until now? 

Those day dreams became a reality! It’s night and day how vastly different my life is. My day to day is what used to be my vacation. 

What is your favourite part about the QD community? 

My favourite part of the QD community is how incredibly friendly and helpful everyone is. Whether during Academy, on The Yacht Week, or in the off season, everyone goes out of their way to help one another and make each other better. I also love having a free couch to sleep on almost anywhere in the world now. 

How would you summarise a day in the life of a skipper? 

A typical day for a skipper is spent outside sailing from one destination to the next, hanging out with guests, showing them secret swim stops, teaching them how to sail, and just making sure they have an absolute blast. At the end of the day once the yacht is docked or anchored, crack open a beer to sit down for a delicious dinner made by your host before heading out to a kickass party!

What is your favourite part about being a skipper?

My favourite part about being a skipper is all of the amazing people you get to meet every week. This includes all my fellow skippers and hosts as well as the guests. Everyone is from all over the world and has had such unique and interesting experiences that are fascinating to learn about. 

Describe a memory from TYW or QD that you know will stay with you forever?

When I sat down with all the instructors at the end of Academy, hearing I had passed, and knowing that all the hard work had paid off. It was a sigh of relief and the excitement and anticipation that I would be spending the next 3-4 months sailing around Croatia and Sardinia for The Yacht Week. 

If you could give someone one piece of advice before they go on the QD academy what would it be?

I would tell them that the QD Academy doesn’t accept just anyone. So when you do go to Academy, know that and have the confidence to know that you can sail or cook with the best of them. That confidence will create trust with your fellow Academy students, your instructors, and eventually your guests, even if you maybe are silently freaking out on the inside.