Meet the Windseeker Mentors
Introducing the Windseeker mentors – integral members of our crew dedicated to ensuring everyone feels at home aboard our voyages. Whether it’s Exchange@sea, the Tall Ships Races, or other journeys, they’re here to welcome you with open arms.
Our mentors organize engaging games and activities, and they’re always ready to lend a listening ear whenever you need a chat. Volunteers at heart, they serve as a bridge between crew and trainees, offering support and guidance whenever it’s needed most.
Explore this page to meet our mentors and discover their insights on sailing.
Click to meet the mentors of Exchange@sea and the Tall Ships Races.
Exchange@sea
These mentors and The Ocean Movement educators will guide you towards sustainable horizons during the Erasmus+ Exchange@sea journeys on board the Eendracht, Hendrika Bartelds, and Morgenster+Iris. Let us introduce…
Shauna Murphy (Ireland)
Being a mentor on a sailing ship combines some of my favourite things: teaching, learning, making friends, laughing, relaxing in the sun and swimming. I love hearing about and trying new hobbies. Seeing a group of people who don’t know each other come together and make incredible memories, and friends for life is unbelievably rewarding!
Sails on the Eendracht Exchange@sea: Esbjerg - Oostend - IJmuiden, 8-18 August 2025.
Anastasija Veselkova (Latvia)
One thing that I love about sailing is opportunity to disconnect from outside world, and be present, here and now – you, crew, the ship making its way through the waves, sun giving you thousand of freckles and wind filling the sails and your mind. Becoming a mentor is a chance to share my passion for sailing with the trainees and to encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and to make their own adventures.
Sails on the Eendracht Exchange@sea: Esbjerg - Oostend - IJmuiden, 8-18 August 2025.
Borris Ankum (Netherlands)
I have had a love for sailing and being out on the ocean all my life. So much so that I am pursuing a career as a maritime engineer. During my education, I spent almost one year as an engineer's apprentice onboard various merchant vessels. During this time, I realized that my heart lies more with sailing and the adventures that come with being onboard a tall ship. I applied to be a mentor in hopes of sharing my enthusiasm. I am very much looking forward to the upcoming voyage onboard the Eendracht
Sails on the Eendracht Exchange@sea: Esbjerg - Oostend - IJmuiden, 8-18 August 2025.
Josien Hendricksen, The Ocean Movement (Netherlands)
I always feel immediately relaxed when I go out to the ocean. The fresh breeze, clear horizon, natural forces and occasional sight of marine life is a recipe for happiness :) Sailing a tall ship will give you life memories. And what better than combining it with learning about the world around us? Let's see what we can do about plastic pollution together!
Sails on the Eendracht Exchange@sea: Esbjerg - Oostend - IJmuiden, 8-18 August 2025.
Jacob Schelde Jensen (Denmark)
A family member once inspired me to apply for a journey that changed my life. As a mentor I want to inspire other young people to go sailing. Most people do not know it is an option so I joined as a mentor to share my passion for sailing and pass on some of the knowledge I have learned onboard Danish traditional vessels, the Tall Ships Races and the Training Ship DANMARK.
Sails on Hendrika Bartelds Exchange@sea: Kiel - Kiel, 18-27 July 2025.
Agathe Roullin (France)
14 years ago, I’ve been lucky to sail as a trainee on board Bark Europa. Since then, I’ve been keen to help others discover traditional sailing and ocean conservation, as the ocean helps you to know yourself by getting out of your comfort zone.
Sails on Hendrika Bartelds Exchange@sea: Kiel - Kiel, 18-27 July 2025.
Kende Patyi (Hungary)
There’s something magical about life on board—the wind, the waves, the shared tasks that bring people together and clear your mind. As a mentor, I’m here to help others enjoy that magic while growing stronger as individuals and as a team.
Sails on Hendrika Bartelds Exchange@sea: Kiel - Kiel, 18-27 July 2025.
Maria Riedel (Germany)
Sailing holds a special place in my heart, it’s all about freedom, adventure, and being close to nature. And when it comes to mentoring, what I love most is seeing trainees bonding and becoming friends for life.
Sails on the Morgenster/Iris Exchange@sea: Rostock - IJmuiden, 11-19 August 2025.
Jacinta Hamley (Ireland)
I love the opportunity sailing offers, to be so close to nature and its rhythms, while in a close knit community that allows space for wonderful friendships to grow.
Sails on Morgenster/Iris Exchange@sea: Rostock - IJmuiden, 11-19 August 2025.
Moon Weijens (Netherlands)
It's wonderful and special to step on board a tall ship for an adventure at sea. The freedom and the people who join the journey, their talents and how everyone finds their place in the team, are most memorable for me.
Sails on the Morgenster/Iris Exchange@sea: Rostock - IJmuiden, 11-19 August 2025.
The Tall Ships Races
Ready, steady, go! Meet the mentors who will organise fun activities on board while you race towards the finish line, then help you find activities in port, from Crew Parade to Crew Party and more.
Maëlle Laurent (France)
When I'm sailing, I feel that I'm a part of something, that I'm involved in a community and that all together we create the environment we want to be in and we make an effort to get to our goal(s).
Sails on the Gulden Leeuw Race 1: Le Havre - Dunkirk.
Robin Heesakkers (Netherlands)
Recognizing the thousand shades of blue as the waves pass by and the wind twirls around the ship, that is what sailing means to me. The calm of no distractions washing over everyone while simply being in the moment and meeting others as well as oneself.
Sails on the Thalassa Race 1: Le Havre - Dunkirk.
Robin Gatel (France/Ireland)
I love sailing because it’s a unique and sustainable way to see the world. During sailing you get to disconnect from your life back home and create memorable connections with the people onboard from all over the world. All whilst having a lot of fun!
Sails on the Thalassa Race 1: Le Havre - Dunkirk.
Pierre Honoré (France)
Sailing lets you escape the real world and journey toward new horizons. With Windseeker, each voyage becomes a chance to forge strong bonds with people from all over the world.
Sails on the Eendracht in Race 1: Le Havre - Dunkirk.
Anastasija Veselkova (Latvia)
One thing that I love about sailing is opportunity to disconnect from outside world, and be present, here and now – you, crew, the ship making its way through the waves, sun giving you thousand of freckles and wind filling the sails and your mind. Becoming a mentor is a chance to share my passion for sailing with the trainees and to encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and to make their own adventures.
Sails on the Gulden Leeuw in Race 1: Le Havre - Dunkirk.
Anna Wiep Valk (Netherlands)
When I climb the mast with an endless view on sea, I feel freedom!
Sailing means to me that I totally live in the moment and that I work with others as one team. It is a very nice and sustainable way to see new places and countries. It is also a way to embark on adventures, meet new people and make new memories.
Sails on the Gulden Leeuw in Race 2: Dunkirk - Aberdeen.
Lothar van Diessen (Belgium)
You get the weather you deserve. But when you're up on the mast, you'll shine like the sun.
Sails on Gulden Leeuw in Race 2: Dunkirk - Aberdeen.
Leen Roke (Netherlands)
Meeting new people, embarking on new adventures, feeling the salty wind against my skin, and climbing to the top of the mast to gaze out over the horizon—that, to me, is what sailing is all about.
Sails on Morgenster in Race 2: Dunkirk - Aberdeen.
Tsjerk van Doornik (Netherlands)
Sailing has been a part of my life from very early on. Growing up on a houseboat, the water was always close.
Ever since I first stepped aboard a tall ship ten years ago, I have been fascinated by the world of ocean sailing. So cool!
As a Windseeker mentor, I strive to pass on that sense of wonder and help trainees to have the best experience they can have on board.
Sails on Wylde Swan in Race 2: Dunkirk - Aberdeen.
Anne-Fleur Opdam (Netherlands)
Sailing is my passion! I love the tranquillity of being on the water, with the gentle sounds of waves hitting against the bow and the wind blowing in the sails. But also the action on the ship, when the wind picks up and everyone has to work together to make the ship sail as fast as possible, makes me very excited. Even better, is sharing these experiences with others while meeting new people along the way.
Sails on the Thalassa in Race 2: Dunkirk - Aberdeen.
Thibault Vander Cruyssen (Belgium)
Most of the time you can find me on the water. When I was 14 years old, I sailed with School At Sea. That changed my life and since then I have kept sailing almost every summer on a Tall ship. It gives you freedom in a kind of way I can’t describe. You have to experience it yourself.
Sails on the Thalassa in Race 2: Dunkirk - Aberdeen.
Tijmen van Westerveld (Netherlands)
When sailing I feel completely free and disconnected from my life on land. It's a great way of living in the moment, only having to think about which sails to set, when dinner will be and where to watch the sun set!
Sails on Morgenster Race 2: Dunkirk - Aberdeen and Thalassa Race 3 Aberdeen - Kristiansand.
Theodor Eidbo-Hansen (Norway)
Sailing means the world to me!!
When I am sailing, I feel happy and excited.
Sails on the Gulden Leeuw in Race 3 Aberdeen - Kristiansand.
Emily Langham (Luxembourg)
Being a mentor on board is a great privilege. Sailing is a beautiful way to discover new parts of the world and it's lovely to see how it brings people together. I really appreciate being outside and enjoying the sun and waves. During sailing you get to disconnect from your life back home and create memorable connections with the people onboard from all over the world.
Sails on Morgenster in Race 3 Aberdeen - Kristiansand.
Naud Voskuilen (Netherlands)
When I sail, I feel all my worries being blown away by the wind, the waves capturing all positive emotions and the sail setting direction to my life.
Sails on the Gulden Leeuw in Race 3 Aberdeen - Kristiansand.
Diede Dijkstra (Netherlands)
I have sailed my whole life. Something about the water and the waves still amazes me. There is so much to learn about sailing, and I feel like you are never finished. There is always something new along the horizon.
Sails on Morgenster in Race 3 Aberdeen - Kristiansand.
Stijn Jansen (Netherlands)
Sailing is a wonderful thing to experience, it makes you a better person and you have the time to get to know yourself. I enjoy the part of participating as a mentor to help you find and know yourself a bit better.
Sails on Wylde Swan in Race 3 Aberdeen - Kristiansand.
Astrid Emilie Gamborg-Nielsen (Norway)
Sailing has been a very big part of my life since I was a kid, and I’ve always loved being out in the nature. Sailing on tall ships is something I experienced for the first time pretty recently, and this new type of sailing opened up a new world of sailing, teamwork, cultural exchange and making friends that could last a lifetime!
Sails on the Morgenster in Race 3 Aberdeen - Kristiansand.
Vienna Chadwick (Spain)
Sailing has had a profound impact on my life, even though I only started sailing in 2021. I’ve made some of my best friends while sailing on Tall Ships, and I've even moved countries due to Tall Ships. The experience of working and living with a diverse group, facing challenges together, and learning new skills helps individuals grow, open their minds, and connect with nature in a way that is truly unique. I want to help others create these bonds, build self-confidence, and expand their view of what’s possible in the world.
Sails on the Thalassa in Race 3 Aberdeen - Kristiansand.
Emma van der Zant (Norway)
I love sailing over the ocean, with fresh sea air and wind in my hair, where I can see the horizon wherever I turn! Then I feel so free, like the world is full of possibilities, and my mind can finally rest.
Sails on Thalassa in Race 4: Kristiansand - Esbjerg.
Freja Klarskov Jensen (Denmark)
Sailing taught me how to work, even when things gets tough. I love the quiet of the night watches and only living in the moment.
The feeling that, out there, nothing is easy but everything is possible!
Sails on Valborg in Race 4: Kristiansand - Esbjerg.
Lykke Friis (Denmark)
The first time I went sailing, I realized it was a major team effort, and I've been hooked ever since. I love having saltwater in my hair, whether it's from winter swimming or a surf session. I am looking forward to sharing my love of sailing, wind and nature.
Sails on the Eendracht in Race 4: Kristiansand - Esbjerg.