About Us
Jon Mendez Principal/Director
Jon’s keen interest in boats started at a young age with friends and family on the River Thames. He has been teaching professionally for the last 15 years.
He is an RYA Yachtmaster®, Instructor Examiner and a Powerboat Trainer; this work has taken him across the world from Scotland to New Zealand and all over the Mediterranean on craft up to 40 metres.
Having spent three years as the RYA Chief Motor and Powerboat Instructor, he returned to the commercial world to run his own marine business carrying on with what he enjoys most: boats, people and having fun on the water.
Jon also writes articles on boat handling and navigation techniques. Regular contributions appear in Sports Boat and Rib as well as Motor Boats and Yachting. Jon is also the author of "Start Powerboating" the offical RYA book for the RYA Level 2 Powerboat certificate and presents the RYA DVD "Boat Handling for Sportsboats and Ribs"
David Luetchford Chief Instructor /Director
Following a long career in advertising, David took the decision to turn his hobby into a living and qualified as a powerboat instructor in 2003. He is a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster®, a Yachtmaster Instructor and an Advanced Powerboat Instructor. In addition he teaches VHF, and is a shore-based instructor.
He has a lot of experience in small boats and has boated from the South Coast to Scotland, and from the Mediterranean to the Middle East. David shares Jon’s passion for being on the water and meeting people.
Julie Proudfoot, Yachtmaster Instructor
Julie is only one of three female Yachtmaster Instructors in the UK and was RYA Yachtmaster Instructor of the Year in 2006. Julie's passion for boating started on her father's boat and she enjoyed it so much that she decided to make a career out of teaching people to drive big power boats and to share her enthusiasm.
Julie is also a powerboat and VHF instructor.
"Julie was a very good instructor and really encouraged me to progress" - Madeline T, Portishead
Steve Tyler, Yachtmaster Instructor
Steve lives for boating and teaching it is a passion. Not only is he a Yachtmaster Instructor he also teaches 1st Aid, VHF, Sea Survival and Personal Watercraft. He is a Powerboat and PWC Trainer.
"Steve's teaching style and pace makes it very easy to learn in a very enjoyable manner" - Chris G