About the sailing school

The Athens Sailing Academy exists to teach and help interested individuals how to sail. The areas in which we sail, the Argolic Saronic gulf and Cyclades offer excellent sailing conditions. The weather can vary from a placid force 3 to a much more exciting force 6. Its always sunny with clear blue skies and the water temperature in mid summer is very warm. All this makes the need for fleeces and wet weather gear redundant .  The islands and ports that you will stop in are typically greek and un-spolit. You will find many deserted coves and bays where few yachts still go.

The Head Sailmaster

Captain Chandler has been sailing for most of his life. Coming from a long line of sailors, 3 generations of  Royal Navy, he and his father built his first sailing dinghy when he was 7 years old, and has not looked back since then. He is half-English and half-Greek, taking advantage of both worlds as he speaks fluent Greek.

Having sailed in many parts of the world, over the years, Jonathan has thousands of sea miles logged. He spent his early twenties in the Royal Hong Kong Police as a Chief Inspector in charge of a Fast Patrol  Launch. Here he patrolled the Islands of Hong Kong and along the Chinese coast.  As a member of the Admirals cup Hong Kong sailing team in 1979, he competed in the Fatal Fastnet race that year. Moving on to the USA Jonathan spent several  years competing in Florida at such events like the S.O.R.C, Miami- Jamaica race, Antigua Race week, Annapolis -Bermuda Race…in his 30’s he became Captain of the Racing Maxi “Boomerang” and sailed the yacht around the world competing in the Maxi World Cup. Sailing across the Pacific and the Atlantic several times. In the late 80's he competed in the around the World Whitbread Race on the maxi Ketch "Fischer and Paykel" and was involved in the Americas cup with Dennis Conner in in the early 90's.

Since returning to Greece he has taught many to sail, running ASA courses and RYA mile building trips. When off the water, you can find him playing with his cats, or creating some new gourmet dish in his kitchen.

Captain Vardis

Captain Vardis  is our Greek sailing instructor, although as a multi lingual who speaks 4 languages fluent he is more the international member of our team. He was born on the island of Crete.

 He  study in Athens and earned a degree in architectural design and decoration. However  his passion for adventure and particularly, sailing and the sea was much stronger. In the beginning, he was involved with windsurfing, actively competing and racing to Olympic standards. He strived for something more adventurous and started sailing and racing in larger yachts. Then in August of 1982, he went on an ultimate adventure, sailing to the southern Peloponnese on a windsurfer. For 9 days on his windsurfer sailed alone all day and all night. He covered a distance of 230 miles, all alone. A few years later, he began to work as a skipper /instructor on sailing boats. With the same passion and security, covering about 3000 miles per year, he continues to offer you unforgettable sailing vacation around the Greek islands

Our Office Manager  (The real Boss)

As the Balkan foreign correspondent for NOS Dutch Radio and Television  she has been covering the area for over 10 years. In the summer months you will find her sailing with Jonathan helping out and entertaining clients.

What Differentiates Us

Our depth of experience and international staff set us apart from the run of the mill sailing school. The companies policy is to provide the 

"Best  possible Greek Island sailing experience possible " . 

Sailing and teaching. It's what we do best