Rob Pickering

In Aug 2010 Rob retired from the RAF as a Pilot and Flying Instructor after 40 years of service. He is passionate about offshore sailing and from 1998 became increasingly involved in Adventurous Sail Training, as a means of developing leadership and personal qualities in Armed Forces personnel.

Rob has worked with a range of people from complete beginners to those who were working towards their Yachtmaster. As well as formal RYA courses he has also been involved in less formal coaching and miles building cruises all of which help to develop specific sailing and boat handling skills. Additionally he has extensive experience delivering yachts to and from UK including crossing BiscayWhile most of his sailing has been in waters around Europe (including the Mediterranean), Rob has also sailed extensively in the Eastern Caribbean.

Qualifications:

• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore with over 40,000 miles offshore in European Waters including Mediterrean, plus the Caribbean
• RYA First Aid at Sea Instructor

Mike Pickering

Mike has been sailing since the age of 8 and it was his dedication and enthusiasm that inspired Rob (his Dad) to become more actively involved in the sport. As a teenager Mike trained with youth racing squads at a Regional & National level and campaigned at National and International dinghy regattas. Mike expanded his sailing experience through yacht racing (Helm, Tactician & Trimmer) and acted as umpire at team and match racing events at Regional/National level. In recent years Mike has focussed his efforts on becoming a professional sailor; in 2009 he sailed across the Atlantic and spent 6 months in the Caribbean (based in Antigua) working on a variety of yachts from 35 ft. cruiser / racers to 140 ft superyachts.  Since 2009 he has crossed the Atlantic 6 further times including delivering new yachts to owners on the Eastern Seaboard USA. In addition to his work with Monkey’s Fist Sailing, Mike is also a professional freelance Race Skipper and Tactician working mainly in the highly competitive UK racing circuit.

Qualifications:

• Commercially endorsed RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore
• ISAF Professional Racer
•  RYA Dinghy Instructor with race endorsement
• STCW 95 Basic Safety Training Course