Instructors and skippers
Sailing instructor
Rio Rajala
My passion for sailing ignited years ago in the waters of Vesijärvi and Päijänne. I learned to sail myself "the hard way", when I bought a boat completely inexperienced. Later, I realized how much more effective and safer (also for fellow boaters) it is to practice first in the company of more experienced people.
The hobby of boating is versatile. There is always room for improvement in handling the boat and sails. Monitoring weather forecasts and observing their realization is a constant challenge. Navigation both traditionally and with the help of newer technology. Nice interaction with people and dimensions into maritime history and celestial tracking. Maintenance procedures and equipment. You'll always find more to learn in sailing.
I have worked as a sailing instructor since 2013. I have worked as a classroom teacher for a long time and currently as a special education teacher - I also want to develop learning situations and take into account people's different capacities for learning.
- Authorized sailing instructor (PORY)
- Authorized boating instructor (SPV)
- Authorized navigation instructor (SNL and SNOP)
- Examiner (day skipper level)
- International Certificate of Competence (Traficom)
- Certificate for operators of charter boats (Traficom)
- Exams of the Finnish Navigation Association: Inshore, Coastal and Celestial
- Advanced Celestial Navigation Course, I.O.S.
- RYA Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper courses
- Sail Racing experience
- Meriturva rescue training
- Sailing experience in lakes, the Baltic Sea, the Channel and the Mediterranean
- Experience as a sailing instructor for groups with special needs
Sailing Instructor and skipper
Kari Koivunen
I am a professional in adult education (Turku AMK). At the same time, I am an active sailing enthusiast. My best experiences are sailing with a family crew to the Azores and the Canary Islands.
- Authorized sailing instructor (PORY)
- International Certificate of Competence (Traficom)
- Certificate for operators of charter boats (Traficom)
- Exams of the Finnish Navigation Association: Inshore, Coastal and Celestial
- Plenty of experience in open sea sailing (also in the ocean)
- Skippering of the Finnish Sailing Foundation's S/Y Vahine (Swan 65) over Biscay from France to Lisbon in summer 2019.
Sailing experience with my own boat in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, Biscay, the Canary Islands and the Atlantic
Sailing Instructor and skipper
Mika Nopanen
- Authorized sailing instructor (PORY)
- Navigation Instructor (SNOP)
- International Certificate of Competence (Traficom)
- Certificate for operators of charter boats (Traficom)
- A lot of experiences in sail-racing (double-handed and full crew).
- Experience in Sailing in Mediterranean
- Kotimaanliikenteen laivurin koulutus (ekami)
- Kuljettajan koulutus (ekami)
I have spent time at sea all my life, but I interested in sailing as an adult. I try to have time to experience all what is possible with sailing. I wanted to become a sailing instructor to share to the others what I have learnt from many courses.
Sailing Instructor and skipper
Jan Schmid
I am 40 years old sailor, with a lot of experiences both in cruising and racing. I fell in love in sailing already as young when sailing with my father in the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean. As an instructor I prioritize that everyone can learn to sail and joy in safe and inspirational atmosphere. I work as sport teacher and I guide the students who'll be teachers. As a sailing instructor, I am perfectly able to combine my passion for sailing and my knowledge of the principles of high-quality teaching and cooperation.
- Authorized sailing instructor (PORY)
- International Certificate of Competence (Traficom)
- Certificate for operators of charter boats (Traficom)
- Exams of the Finnish Navigation Association: Inshore, Coastal and Celestial
- RYA Day Skipper -course
- Skipper and tidal waters -course in Bretagne, France
- Plenty of racing experience with keelboats