Eva ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ Skipper Academy 2023

From Medicine to the Med: Friendships and Belonging at Sea

I grew up sailing โ€” the sea has always been a part of my life. But at some point, I put it aside to focus on my career. Iโ€™m an emergency medicine doctor, and while I love what I do, the pull of the water never really left me.

A few years ago, while on holiday in Croatia, I was surrounded by sailing yachts and thought: If so many others can do it, why not me? That moment sparked a change. I joined Skipper Academy, and since then Iโ€™ve completed three full Yacht Week seasons.

Yacht Week has given me so much more than just the chance to be back on the water. Itโ€™s a place where you grow every single week โ€” not only perfecting your sailing and skippering skills, but also learning how to lead, adapt, and bring people together. Every day brings new challenges, whether itโ€™s handling a yacht in tight spaces, solving unexpected problems, or keeping a crew motivated and safe. Those moments push you to become not just a better skipper, but a better person.

On top of that, the community is unlike anything else. Iโ€™ve met countless amazing people from all over the world, and some of them have become lifelong friends. The support and energy of Yacht Week is what makes it truly special โ€” it feels less like a job and more like being part of a family.

For me, Yacht Week became the perfect balance between medicine and sailing, even if itโ€™s not the most conventional path. If youโ€™re wondering whether to take the leap, my advice is simple: do it. Yacht Week is more than a summer job โ€” itโ€™s an experience that will challenge you, change you, and stay with you long after the season ends.

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