The Team.
Sailing Tectona is run by a team of people united in their passion to provide life-changing opportunities for young people and people in recovery. We use sailing as a method to connect people with nature and in doing so, reconnect with themselves and others. They are experts at caring for and maintaining traditional sailing vessels, in order to make this happen.
Ben - Operations Manager and Skipper
My journey to becoming part of the Sailing Tectona team started at the age of 14 when I joined the sail training vessel the “Greater Manchester Challenge”. My dad told me I could be a skipper of a boat like this. I didn’t believe him! The power of the wind in the sails, the responsibility of everyone on-board and the ever changing environment meant that to be part of sea-staff felt out of reach.
Over the years, I tried to get on the ocean whenever I could, filling in my logbook and gaining qualifications, until I found myself as part of the sea-staff on board Tectona on an epic voyage and the rest is history!
Emma - Business Manager and 1st Mate
I started sailing when I was 15 years old after taking part in a sail training voyage with my school and I have never looked back. I love the experience of a crew coming together whilst sailing to overcome challenges and make new friends.
I am so grateful to be able to work in a way that offers this amazing experience to other people from all backgrounds. As well as sailing on the boats as a 1st Mate, I also work a lot in the office to organise bookings.
Jen - Volunteer Raiser of Funds
My love of tall ships started on the Lord Nelson sailing with able boded and disabled people. I was feeling low and needed an adventure. Being at sea with others, challenged by the environment and the weather it became a life changing experience.
Hauling ropes, working as a team with my watch, sailing under the stars with huge white sails…it was just what my soul needed.
I now live in Plymouth and have found the Tectona Family and I am working hard to raise funds to let people in recovery share the experience I had.
My sailing career started in 2014 when I was lucky enough to get a place on a sail training voyage in Wales! Since then I've worked on boats around the world, having adventures in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and even as far as the Arctic Circle.
I'm office-based with Sailing Tectona, helping all of our operations run smoothly and looking after our wonderful team of volunteers.
Shannon - Volunteer Coordinator & Bookings Officer
Annabel - Business Development & Cadet
I started volunteering with Tectona while studying at Plymouth Uni and sailing my own boat. I then went onboard the engineless brigantine, Tres Hombres to run cargo for the summer.
When I came back to the UK, I re-joined Tectona and now work full time as a cadet on the boats and in the winter; I'm putting to use my degree in Business Management, building our brand and developing our sustainable practices.
Graham - Media
I have had the privilege of being on board Tectona as a leader of my Scout groups expedition in 2018. An incredible experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. After hearing about the amazing journey that Tectona and her dedicated team were about to embark on, I decided to offer my skills to aid them in developing their brand.
The Sailing Tectona brand reflects the fun, friendly, adventurous and life changing experiences that they provide. I count myself incredibly lucky to work with such a passionate team and I wish Sailing Tectona all the best for its future.