Hey there! Brian learns sailing, because unlike our skipper Xenia, he’s not a professional sailor who started sailing at 10 years old. 😂

Brian learns sailing, and here's a photo of him at the helm - photo by Megan (adapted) - Ionian Eco Adventures
Brian learns sailing – photo by Megan (adapted)

So for the first week in March, I (Brian) took the Corfu Sea School’s Competent Crew sailing course, for an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) certification. And it was a blast!

On day one, we motored around outside Corfu’s Gouvia Marina to feel how the boat maneuvers and sailed out to a small island just off the coast for lunch at anchorage. We all got soaked in the March rain, but somehow that made it all more fun. Then we tacked over and moored at Mandraki Harbor for dinner in Corfu Town at sunset. 

Photo of Mandraki at sunset, taken from the old fort, showing boats (ours included) at the marina - Ionian Eco Adventures
Mandraki Harbor

We continued to Petriti, a gorgeous fishing village in the south of Corfu Island. They don’t have pick-up lines, so we got to learn how to use the anchor for stern-to mooring. Another great thing about sailing to Mandraki Harbor and Petriti is that we’re visiting both places during our A Journey through Time Tour. 😃

Photo of our boat, Mafalda II, moored at Petriti as the sun sets
Mafalda II at Petriti

From Petriti, we sailed north to Benitses into winds of about 13 knots (force 4) with gusts up to 27 knots (force 6). Then we practiced maneuvers at all points of sail around Lazareto Island before returning to Gouvia Marina to learn and practice mooring & unmooring operations.

Photo of Megan and Brian with our instructor Phil after receiving our Competent Crew certificates
Happy Competent Crew graduates with their instructor, Phil – photo by Roman

I’m grateful to Corfu Sea School for the amazing week and waterproof pants! And I’m grateful to our instructor Phil for being such a calm, fun, and incredibly effective teacher. Ευχαριστώ! 🙏🏼