About us

A little more about Premier Sailing

Our business started in 2009 when the opportunity arose to share our passion for cruising under sail with others. This slowly developed into the award winning business that it is today. Premier Sailing won the Experience of the Year award from East of England Tourism in 2022 which has been added to the Yachting Industry Award for Cruise of the Year received in 2016.

We are passionate about giving anybody who would like it the opportunity to enjoy sailing. The world is a different place when at sea – no television – no mobile – no pressure. The constantly-changing scenery and wildlife are a wonder to behold.

We provide a safe and enjoyable experience in which to learn sailing and navigation etc. Our holidays give everyone the opportunity to do as much or as little as they wish. All our instructors and skippers have, like Jan and Colin, gained many years sailing experience before becoming commercial seafarers so we believe you are in the best hands possible you sail with us.

One recent crew member (and long-time motorcyclist) commented, “I didn’t know you could have so much fun at 6 miles per hour!”
Meet our team

4

Boats

40+

years experience

1000's

successful students

9000+

miles travelled a year
Andy
Shorebased Instructor
Andy spent many years as a yachtsman, First Responder and now a motorboater. He is our resident expert First Aid instructor and also teaches VHF Radio and Navigation.
Colin
Principal
Colin trained in the Merchant Navy and sailed as an Engineer Officer with British and Commonwealth. As a Yachtmaster Instructor Colin teaches Navigation, Diesel Engine Maintenance, VHF and all the Practical Courses up to and including Yachtmaster Offshore.
Rob
Shorebased Instructor
Rob learnt to sail on Windermere in his Mirror dinghy (a 9th birthday present) and then trained with Maersk, sailing as a Navigation Officer on container ships, tankers and DFDS ferries on the Dover/Dunkerque route. Having cruised extensively Rob is now a Commercial Yachtmaster Offshore, teaches Navigation and VHF Radio and skippers some of our mileage building and sailing trips.
Jan
The Boss
Jan hates to be in the limelight but without her skills and encouragement Premier Sailing would not exist and prosper. Jan has cruised extensively around Europe and having undertaken the RYA shorebased and practical courses to Yachtmaster level understands the customer's needs. Jan runs the back room operations, the Premier Flotilla trip and keeps Colin under control...ish.
James
IT Support
James is our resident website person. Like the rest of the family, James was brought up sailing and canoeing but his passion is cycling. In 2015 James raised funds for Macmillan Cancer Support by cycling from Warsaw to Manchester.
Dave
Practical Instructor
Dave started sailing on the south coast in his school days in Chichester harbour - dinghies and some cruising. Reawakened his love of sailing in 1997 with the first of many cruising trips around Scotland - mostly west coast but also the Orkney and Shetland areas. An RYA Yachtmaster Instructor, he has been teaching sailing for the last 10 years - both practical RYA and Theory courses.
Edward
Edward joined Premier Sailing in 2019 as an apprentice and now acts as the "front man" when it comes to managing bookings. Edward is a dinghy instructor and, when not working, volunteers with the Fellowship Afloat Charitable Trust teaching young people to sail.
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