Navigating Growth: My Skippering Journey in Greece

(Picture: The Crew)

Becoming a skipper in Greece was an experience that stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. The serene image of blue skies, calm seas, and idyllic islands was tempered by the realities of leadership, complex moorings, and the pressure of making decisions that impact both the crew and the boat. It was a journey of growth, both as a skipper and as a person.

From the very beginning, I felt the weight of responsibility. I’ve always been someone who enjoys bringing lightness and humour to situations, but being a skipper required a shift in focus. My main priority was the safety of the crew and ensuring we arrived at the right destinations—not just places that were beautiful, but also safe. The challenge was balancing the relaxed enjoyment of sailing with the seriousness of responsibility.

Thankfully, I wasn’t going it alone. Sonja was my co-skipper, which was both a support and a challenge in itself. Sonja is strong-willed and decisive, qualities that I share, which sometimes led to clashes. Having two strong leaders can create tension, especially when both are navigating unfamiliar waters, but it also provided me with an opportunity to reflect on my own leadership style. Sonja’s hands-on approach kept things moving, and in difficult moments, we worked together to make sure we stayed on course—literally and figuratively.

(Picture: Sonja and Me)

One of the unexpected strengths of the trip was Christian, who turned out to be exceptionally good at mooring and confident in manoeuvring the boat. While he’s generally a reserved person, Christian’s ability to step up and handle tricky situations with calm precision was invaluable. His steady hand at the helm during tight manoeuvres made me realise how important it is to trust your crew and delegate when needed.

The rest of the crew was a mix of personalities. Franco brought a sense of humour and lightness to the trip, while Kyra and Cecilia, though more reserved, contributed positively to the group dynamic. The language barrier was a persistent challenge, as the crew often spoke German, leaving Cecilia and me out of conversations at times. It wasn’t intentional, but it created a subtle disconnect that I needed to address to keep everyone unified.

The technical aspects of the boat were also challenging. The clutch had a mind of its own, particularly when we needed forward gear. This became particularly stressful when I had to reverse the boat towards Sonja, who was in the water trying to tie a land line to a rock. The risk of things going wrong was always in the back of my mind, but luckily, we avoided any serious incidents.

(Picture: Boats mooring Med-style with landlines)

Perhaps the most trying part of the journey was the stern-to mooring in Hydra. We attempted it three times, with Sonja swimming ashore to secure the line, only for the boat to slip sideways. By the fourth attempt, I made the decision to hand over the task to Christian, whose confidence and skill in manoeuvring the boat were a real asset. He stepped in with calm efficiency, and we eventually dropped anchor and settled in for the night. His steady hand in those stressful moments gave me the peace of mind I needed.

One of the hardest moments came when I found myself alone on the boat while the crew went ashore for dinner. As I sat there on anchor watch, the exhaustion and responsibility caught up with me. I called Niall, a very good friend of mine and someone with whom I’ve sailed a lot. I’ve learned so much from him over the years, not just about sailing but about staying calm under pressure. As I spoke to him, I let the emotional weight of the past few days hit me—I broke down. The truth is, being a skipper is not just about sailing; it’s about managing people, keeping morale high, and making decisions under pressure. It’s hard work, and it’s exhausting.

There were moments of joy, too. When we were able to sail at 7-8 knots with the wind on the beam, the feeling of freedom and accomplishment was palpable. But there were also continuous challenges—like the malfunctioning clutch and the occasional hiccups with anchoring. I found that stress had a direct impact on my health. My stomach suffered throughout the trip, no doubt aggravated by the constant pressure I put on myself.

Sonja and I had our fair share of disagreements, but it was through these moments that I learned more about myself as a leader. We both have strong personalities, and sometimes that created friction. But ultimately, these moments were opportunities for growth, for me to reflect on how to manage different dynamics within a crew and how to lead with both firmness and flexibility.

On the technical side, I learned important lessons about sailing that I hadn’t fully grasped before. Timing is everything—whether it’s arriving at an anchorage with enough daylight or practising manoeuvres before you’re in a stressful situation. By the time we reached Monnie Island, where I successfully dropped the anchor on the second try, it felt like a small but significant victory.

(Picture: planning the next leg with the sunrise in Aegina.)

As I reflect on this journey, I see it as a period of growth. It wasn’t about getting everything right but about adapting when things went wrong. I realised that being a good skipper isn’t about perfection—it’s about resilience, learning from mistakes, and keeping the crew and the boat safe, even when conditions are far from ideal. Christian’s steady presence and Sonja’s tenacity taught me that leadership isn’t just about guiding from the front; it’s about knowing when to trust and rely on the strengths of those around you. And in my low moments, it was Niall’s lessons and friendship that reminded me to stay calm and keep moving forward.

Sailing in Greece provided the perfect backdrop for these lessons. The stunning landscapes and the beauty of the sea were ever-present, but so were the challenges of skippering in unfamiliar waters. In the end, I grew not just as a skipper but as a person. I learned to let go of the need to control every aspect and instead focus on navigating each situation with clarity and patience.

Would I do it again? Absolutely. Next time, I’ll come better prepared, knowing that it’s not just about mastering the technical side of sailing, but about managing the dynamics of leadership, crew, and unforeseen challenges. And maybe, I’ll remember to bring both a Hungarian and British flag for the next adventure.