Captains
Michael Hobbis Skipper of "Duen
Captain Michael Hobbis, has been dedicated to environmental youth education and the seafaring life for twenty five years. His safety record as a mariner entrusted with lives at sea is outstanding. His wide ranging experience with youth includes launching Outward Canada's first marine challenge program, and most recently, as a faculty member, managing Lester B. Pearson United World College CoastWatch program for the last seven years. He has successfully sailed thousands of miles offshore while navigating to the anchorages of over thirty countries.
Having
acquired the Heritage sailing vessel Duen in 1985 Michael has provided
thousands of students the opportunity to experience life at sea . Over the
last fourteen years young mariners have developed their sense of social
service by their involvement and dedication to various humanitarian
projects. Young Mariners have helped deliver books, food and cloths to
Haiti., have trained mentally and physically handicapped groups, and
cleaned up hundreds of kilometers of coastline. Many students have written
back mentioning that these experiences have had a lasting positive
influence on their lives.
Michael's passion for the sea, dedication to youth , and commitment to the environment has earned him a solid reputation of a mariner with integrity. He has a relaxed and easy going nature and loves to share his experience and understanding of life and sail with those around him. Michael welcomes students onboard as though they were arriving home and sees them on their way as lifelong friends.
Greg Sager, Skipper of "Passing Cloud"
Captain Greg Sager has been in
command of sailing vessels for over thirty years. His extensive experience
encompasses both local and international sailing. Captain Sager's knowledge
of sailing vessels, has been enhanced by legendary Westcoast boat
builders, and designers. This led him to handcraft his own 40 foot vessel,
which he successfully sailed to the Caribbean and the East Coast of the
United States. There he was employed by the Mystic Seaport Museum for
his skillful craftsmanship. He has skippered, crewed and delivered, some
of the worlds premier yachts, from the Mediterranean, to the Caribbean, and
the South Pacific.
Upon returning to Victoria, Greg acquired the infamous schooner Passing Cloud. He made skillful additions and renovations to her, in preparation for the 1992 Victoria to Maui International Yacht Race. He has been actively chartering Passing Cloud, to school groups, Government groups, and private individuals since then.
Greg's exuberance, for the sea and sailing, is refreshing and contagious. His exceptional, easygoing and sincere nature has inspired many youths to correspond testimonials that their experience with him has altered their lives. He enthusiastically shares, navigational skills, sailing techniques, knots and general seamanship.
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Martin Pepper, Skipper of "A Fine Madness
In
the military Captain Pepper was with the UN security forces in Egypt and
then later became a police officer and is now with the Saanich Police
force near Victoria. In Saanich he is the School liaison officer, working
with kids of all ages to help them find a safe and productive way through
their school lives.
His earliest experience with the sea was his childhood trip across the Atlantic from London to his new homeland Canada on the C.P. ship the Empress of England. Although the trip was reported to have been the worst on record it was for him the beginning of a love of the sea that has lasted a lifetime and involved him with many boats and many voyages.
Captain Pepper brings an understanding and a liking for kids and a wealth of experience at sea to his involvement with the Sailing Education Adventures Program.
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Captain Simon Fawkes
With more than 30 years experience on the sea, in a variety of craft and over 20,000 miles of off shore experience (2,400 of which where on the Passing Cloud in a race to Hawaii) Simon has the experience necessary to make trips safe and fun. Having grown up on the west coast and sailing in local waters he has good knowledge of the area and can share with others his love for it’s unique beauty. Simon has also spent many years sailing in exotic parts of the world such as the South Pacific, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Turkey, Greece, Australia and New Zealand and loves to share his experience with others. Simon’s passion for sailing and the sea and his amiable nature help to provide an unforgettable experience for kids.
Our Skippers are also the owners of S.E.A. and are therefore dedicated to making your experience the best you could possibly have. We believe that word of mouth is the best form of advertising there is and we encourage you to talk to any of the many teachers and groups who have traveled with us in the past. Just ask us for information on how to contact them.
To get in touch
e-mail us at mail@seaprograms.com
phone toll free 1-877-389-7245
fax 250-656-4540
and we will be happy to answer any of your questions.