In recent years, I have witnessed beloved people in my circle being confronted with the diagnosis of cancer - some of them have lost the battle against this insidious disease. These experiences left deep sorrow, helplessness, and the urgent question of how I, as a chef and skipper, can truly make a difference. I became aware that not only the illness itself but also the everyday challenges push many affected individuals to their limits. Even with great determination, often there is a lack of strength to process the flood of information and implement it in daily life.

From this profound understanding, my vision emerged to create a safe space where cancer patients can naturally find new strength, hope, and joy. Thus, Harmony-Sailing became my heartfelt project.

At Harmony-Sailing, individuals find a place where they can experience the healing power of the sea, the calming silence of nature, and the support of a compassionate community. By combining nature experiences, targeted activities, and healthy nutrition, we create an atmosphere that gently promotes healing and personal growth.

Every day at sea is an invitation to let go of fears, discover new strength, and continue one's own path with fresh courage. The experiences on board offer confidence, trust, and the valuable feeling of not being alone during this challenging time.

The First Encounter

In 2006, I received an invitation from my neighbor for a sailing trip in Croatia. As an avid enthusiast of extreme sports like whitewater kayaking, alpine climbing, skiing, and mountain biking, I was initially hesitant about sailing. I anticipated a more passive and possibly dull week at sea.

The Turning Point

The first week was characterized by light winds and calms. The second week brought about a sporty sailing experience during a deliberate crossing with wind speeds reaching up to 38 knots. This experience showcased the spectrum of possibilities and turned out to be a true "active sport."

Discovering a New Passion

During this crossing, I not only gained confidence in the abilities of a sailing yacht but also discovered my enthusiasm for the sport of sailing. The successful crossing filled me with pride and sparked the desire to further explore my newfound passion.

The Start of My Sailing Career

Inspired by this experience, I decided to obtain my skipper licenses and undergo additional skipper training in the same year. This decision marked the beginning of an intense sailing career that led me on various types of yachts through diverse waters in the following years.

• Mediterranean Sea (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Spain, Balearic Islands)
• Baltic Sea
• Atlantic Ocean (4-month sailing trip from the Canary Islands to Madeira and the Azores)
• Transatlantic from the Canary Islands to Cape Verde and across the Atlantic to Martinique
• For the past 3 years, countless sailing trips in the Caribbean from Grenada to the Dominican Republic.

Chartered Monohulls:

Dufour 560 Grand Large, Bavaria 56, 55, 50, 47, 46, 44, 42, 40, 38, Oceanis 50, 49 DS, 461, 46, Dufour 382, 410, Grand Large, Hanse 455, 458

Chartered Catamarans:

Privilege 49 S, 2x Nautitech Open 46, 1x Lagoon 400, 2x Lagoon 440, 2x Lagoon 420, 3x Lagoon 450, 1x Bali 4.0, Lagoon 42

Conclusion

What began as a skeptically viewed outing fundamentally changed my life and opened up a new world full of adventures and personal growth.

Sailing offers a fascinating combination of technical know-how and human skill in harmony with nature, a synergy that continues to captivate and drive me to this day.

Skills:

Primarily, the expertise of a skipper should take center stage. However, fun, joy, and humor are also among the most important prerequisites for a successful vacation. For me, the safety of the crew and the well-being on board are paramount. The following basic and leadership skills arise from my nature:

I offer my fellow sailors

• extensive and long-standing sailing experience,
• a respectful, friendly, and competent approach,
• open communication with honest and constructive feedback,
• positive engagement and motivation according to interests and desires,
• maintaining control under stress and acting respectfully,
• extreme flexibility in decision-making and consistently finding creative solutions,
• owing to my extended stay in the Caribbean for over 3 years, I can show my guests the most beautiful spots in the Caribbean,
• proficient knowledge in navigation, meteorology, and ship handling,
• as a trained chef, I prepare all LOW CARB dishes and I am also happy to introduce you to the topic of herbal teas.