About Us
A few words from our Principal
At Seven Seas School of Yachting, we believe that true mastery of the sea goes beyond mere certificates. Our approach is rooted in the timeless principles of seamanship, emphasizing meaningful training and a deep understanding of the art of sailing. We believe that it is not just about acquiring a piece of paper, but about nurturing a profound connection with the sea, the wind, and the vessel. We try to instill a deep appreciation for the traditions and heritage of yachting, honoring the wisdom passed down through generations, but also tailoring our programs to the needs of the modern age. We celebrate the sea as the last bastion of the analog world in an increasingly digital era. In a highly automatised world, we offer our students the chance to escape to a realm where the wind, waves, and the power of your own hands take center stage.
George Konistis
Founder, CEO and Principal
Our school ethos
More than just a certificate
For everyone in our team, the purpose of any training we offer — from complete beginner to professional skipper — is not simply to earn a certificate. Our goal is to provide the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills each student needs, while delivering a rewarding learning experience that truly prepares them for the challenges at sea.
We achieve this by carefully discussing each student’s background and goals to recommend the most suitable level of training, by focusing on meaningful learning rather than just ticking boxes, and by offering courses that often go beyond the minimum duration requirements set by the RYA.
Meet the team
George Konistis
Founder, CEO and Principal
George Konistis
Founder, CEO and Principal
Born in Athens in 1974, George embarked on a journey that would lead him to discover his profound passion for the sea. After spending seven years studying engineering in Germany, he felt drawn to the allure of the ocean and made a conscious decision to align his career with his lifelong passion.
His quest for maritime expertise took him to Croatia, where he immersed himself in the art of sailing and attained the skills necessary to become a proficient skipper and instructor for sailing boats.
Since 1999, George has been dedicated to teaching sailing for various sailing associations, leveraging his extensive experience gained from working on numerous sailing and power vessels, including private and commercial yachts of up to 140 feet in length. His sailing adventures have taken him across the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and even across the Atlantic Ocean.
In 2012, he furthered his professional development by obtaining certification as an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) instructor in England, enabling him to impart his wealth of knowledge to his students. George is renowned for his tutorial trips, where he regales his students with captivating tales of the seas while providing expert instruction.
With fluency in Greek, English, and German, George is adept at fostering camaraderie and communication among diverse groups. He is known for his amiable demeanor and unwavering commitment to ensuring smooth and safe sailing experiences for all.
When he’s not near the sea, George enjoys embarking on new adventures with his motorbike and car, as well as spending quality time with good friends.
The Admin Squad
Kostantinos Trigkas
School Administrator
Kostantinos Trigkas
School Administrator
Konstantinos’s deep-seated passion for the sea has been a driving force in his personal and professional development. Following the completion of his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Athens and his subsequent master’s degree at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, he pursued a career at the Legal Department of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt.
However, driven by his fervent love for yachting, Konstantinos made a deliberate and strategic decision to transition his career path. He joined Principal George Konistis at the inception of their company as Chief of Staff, where he played a crucial role in overseeing and fostering its growth.
In addition to his native Greek, Konstantinos is proficient in English, German, French, and Spanish.
Nancy Touliopoulou
Administration
Nancy Touliopoulou
Administration
Nancy Touliopoulou is a graduate of IEK in Administrative and Economic Studies, with a specialization in invoicing and international trade accounting processes. She stands out for her organized approach and excellent numerical skills, providing reliable solutions in demanding professional environments.
Her passion for the sea and the natural world inspired her to become a certified PADI Open Water Diver, demonstrating her dedication to exploring and appreciating marine ecosystems. Her pursuits in diving, mountaineering, travel, and dance reflect a spirited sense of adventure, adaptability, and a genuine openness to new experiences, cultures, and connections with people.
By combining her professional expertise with her personal passion for the sea and sailing, Nancy offers a unique perspective that blends precision and organization with inspiration and exploration. She is known for her direct and courteous communication, her warm smile, and genuine hospitality, creating a friendly and well-organized collaborative environment that meets the highest expectations.
Simoni Kosmidis
Administration
Simoni Kosmidis
Operations
Simoni began her academic journey in Theater Studies in Athens, where she developed a strong appreciation for communication, creativity, and working with people. Alongside her studies, surfing and watersports sparked a deep and lasting passion for the sea — a passion that eventually led her to join the team at Seven Seas School of Yachting.
Bringing energy, warmth, and a natural sense of connection to everything she does, Simoni is known for her smile and good humour. In her free time, she continues to chase adventure, enjoying snowboarding and skiing whenever she can.
Our instructor team
Martyn Sands
RYA Advanced Powerboat Instructor · RYA PWC Instructor · RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Sail
Martyn Sands
RYA Powerboat Instructor · RYA PWC Instructor · RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Sail
Martyn Sands is a British expatriate with a diverse background and a strong passion for the sea. His journey commenced in the UK, where he served as a firefighter, refining his skills in courage and determination.
Over two decades ago, Martyn embarked on a new adventure in Greece, where the allure of the Mediterranean captured his heart. In Greece, he discovered his true calling in the realm of aquatic pursuits.
Martyn is a certified PADI Instructor, dedicated to sharing the wonders of the underwater world with enthusiasts. Additionally, as a British Waterski Federation Instructor, he has embraced the thrill of navigating across water surfaces, mastering the art of balance and speed.
His expertise extends to powerboating, holding the prestigious title of RYA Powerboat Instructor. Navigating open waters and imparting the art of powerboating has become his forte. With a profound respect for local cultures, Martyn has mastered the Greek language, enabling him to connect with the community on a profound level.
In the realm of professionalism, Martyn is dedicated to providing top-notch instruction and guidance. Whether it’s scuba diving, waterskiing, or powerboating, he strives for excellence, ensuring his students gain not just skills, but a genuine love for the aquatic world.
Charis Dourountoudakis
RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Sail
Charis Dourountoudakis
RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Sail
Charis’s affinity for the sea traces back to childhood, shaped by accompanying their father, a captain, on voyages whenever possible.
Their professional journey in maritime pursuits began in 2021 when they decided to embark on a wooden sailing ship, initially as a sailor and eventually progressing to the role of captain.
During intervals between summer seasons, Charis actively participates in boat transportation and maintenance activities, complemented by ongoing attendance at courses and seminars aimed at enhancing their skills and knowledge as a sailor.
The endless wealth of experience and information gained at sea has ignited Charis’s passion for learning, prompting them to immerse themselves in the educational aspect of their maritime pursuits, which they find more fulfilling than any previous involvement with the subject.
Yiannos Ragousis
RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Sail
Yiannos Ragousis
RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Sail
Yiannos originates from the picturesque island of Paros, where he spent his formative years immersed in the coastal lifestyle, surrounded by boats and the ever-present allure of the sea. His deep-rooted passion for maritime pursuits and outdoor adventures naturally led him to pursue a career in professional sailing, specializing as a charter skipper and sailing instructor.
With a career spanning back to 2004, Yiannos brings a wealth of experience to his role, adeptly navigating both the practical and theoretical aspects of sailing. Whether it’s honing the skills of novice sailors or guiding seasoned enthusiasts, he effortlessly imparts his knowledge in yacht sailing, navigation techniques, and the art of choosing idyllic anchorages for serene moments of relaxation.
Yiannos’s expertise extends beyond mere technical proficiency; his intimate familiarity with the nuances of the sea and coastline allows him to offer invaluable insights into selecting the perfect bay for anchoring and unwinding. Whether seeking adventure on the open waters or tranquility in secluded coves, Yiannos is a trusted guide, eager to share his expertise and passion for sailing with others.
Konstantinos Ragkos
RYA Cruising Instructor Sail
Konstantinos Ragkos
RYA Cruising Instructor Sail
Konstantinos, a native of Lamia, developed a deep passion for sailing from a young age, initially honing his skills by sailing dinghies at his local sailing club.
Over the past two seasons, he has gained valuable experience as a flotilla lead skipper in both the Sporades and Ionian regions, further solidifying his expertise in navigating diverse waters and leading sailing expeditions.
His dedication to professional development led him to complete training with the Seven Seas School of Yachting, enhancing his proficiency and preparing him for new and exciting adventures in the maritime world. Konstantinos looks forward to applying his skills and knowledge to upcoming endeavors with enthusiasm and a sense of adventure.
Sarah Graulich
RYA Cruising Instructor Sail
Sarah Graulich
RYA Cruising Instructor Sail
Born in Germany, Sarah has spent the past few years building her experience at sea, beginning with flotilla sailing in Greece and gradually taking on more responsibility along the way.
Over time, she has worked as a lead skipper for flotillas, as a captain on a motor yacht, and on delivery passages across the Mediterranean. Before focusing fully on sailing, Sarah spent two years as a crew member onboard a ship operated by an NGO, where she learned the value of teamwork, resilience, and responsibility at sea. These experiences have given her a solid foundation in seamanship, safety, and leadership in a variety of conditions.
As an instructor with SevenSeas, she enjoys sharing that knowledge in a supportive and down-to-earth way, focused on helping students grow in confidence and truly enjoy their time on the water.
Alexis Yannakis
RYA Cruising Instructor Sail
Alexis Yannakis
RYA Cruising Instructor Sail
Born and raised in France, Alex graduated from École Centrale de Nantes in 2008 and spent nearly a decade managing global infrastructure projects for General Electric. Seeking a life more deeply rooted in nature, he moved to Greece in 2016, trading the corporate world for the open sea. Alex has been a professional skipper since 2018, earning his RYA Yachtmaster Offshore in 2019 and qualifying as a Cruising Instructor in 2025.
He finds a natural harmony in the physics of sailing, enjoying the mechanics of wind and water whether he is teaching on monohulls or catamarans. For Alex, instructing is a way to share this technical knowledge while fostering genuine human connections and a deep respect for the marine environment. Fluent in French, English, and Greek, he offers a multicultural perspective that helps students from all backgrounds feel at ease on the water.
His students benefit from a calm, analytical approach and years of local experience navigating the Aegean Sea. Today, Alex is dedicated to helping others become self-reliant sailors who practice sustainable, mindful cruising and truly understand the elements they navigate.
Nikos Korlos
RYA Powerboat Instructor · RYA PWC Instructor ·RYA Cruising Instructor Motor
Nikos Korlos
RYA Powerboat Instructor · RYA PWC Instructor ·RYA Cruising Instructor Motor
A professional shaped by both strategy and sea, I blend a background in sales and marketing with a life guided by open horizons. As a certified Skipper and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, I bring together commercial insight and true maritime passion. With a foundation in Marketing & Communication, I navigate every journey—on land or water—with purpose, precision, and a love for the voyage itself.
Petros Evgenios
RYA Powerboat Instructor · RYA PWC Instructor · RYA Cruising Instructor Motor
Petros Evgenios
RYA Powerboat Instructor · RYA PWC Instructor · RYA Cruising Instructor Motor
A passionate water sports & racing powerboater, Petros got his YM Offshore Certification in 2012. He grew up in Athens and he studied Applied Mathematics & Physics at the National Technical University of Athens, where he specialised in in hydromechanics. As long as he can remember, he has been spending most of his time either in or on water and as of late, he has been working as instructor for powerboats, power-racing boats and personal watercrafts, as well as for waterski & wakeboard. He is also a test-driver and skipper for off-shore powerboats. A true water enthusiast, Petros has been exploring the underwater world as a PADI Dive instructor. On the rare occasions he happens to be away from the sea, you can find him off- roading on some Greek mountain or participating, in circuits in Greece and Great Britain as a lotus and caterham driver. Other passions of him include flying with PPL aircrafts and music.
Yiannis Gkoumas
RYA Cruising Instructor Sail
Yiannis Gkoumas
RYA Cruising Instructor Sail
Born in Greece, Yannis developed a deep connection to the sea. From an early age, he practiced windsurfing, which sparked a lifelong passion for wind and water sports. His experience on sailing yachts spans a wide range of sailing areas, both as a skipper and instructor.
As a sailing instructor, he is enthusiastic about helping people become confident sailors and discover the freedom that comes from being on the water. He enjoys exploring the mathematical models behind sailing, which give him a deeper understanding of wind forces and boat dynamics. He is committed to making time on the water enjoyable while always respecting wildlife and other users of the sea.
Tasos Korolis
The School Guru
Tasos Korolis
The School Guru
Master mariner, one of the first team members and a portable library, Tasos never fails to awe with his vast theoretical knowledge and practical advice. He is known for his exceptional ability to inspire the students in his courses – most of them experienced professionals – to continuously improve.
Tasos is Greek, married and has nearly 30 years yachting experience ranging from 12m sailing yachts up to 45m motor yachts. He is a true connoisseur of the Mediterranean, having sailed in Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Italy and France. Apart from being expert in all aspects of yachting, he is also a RYA Cruising Instructor and Power Boat Instructor. As Officer of the Watch (3000 gt) and because of his long years of service on large vessels, he is the yachting guru of our team and an astronavigation whizz.
Johann Warkentin
RYA Cruising Instructor Sail
Johann Warkentin
RYA Cruising Instructor Sail
Johann is a dedicated sailor who finds great fulfillment in imparting his love for navigating the open waters to others. He successfully completed the Professional Sail Training program at the Hamble School of Yachting in the UK, achieving the esteemed RYA Yachtmaster Offshore license. Building upon this foundation, Johann furthered his qualifications by attaining both the RYA Yachtmaster Ocean and Instructor Licenses. Additionally, he holds a certification as a PADI Rescue Diver. Outside of sailing, Johann enjoys engaging in activities such as spearfishing, overlanding, and participating in long-distance triathlons.
Our base management team
Kostas Mavronanos
Base Manager
Kostas Mavronanos
Base Manager
Konstantinos Mavronanos is a seasoned maritime professional with over two decades of combined experience in yacht operations, customer service, and technical management.
With over six years in the sailing industry, he has built deep expertise in fleet management, technical vessel oversight, and end-to-end client coordination — both ashore and at the helm as a qualified skipper.
He is now bringing that expertise to Seven Seas School of Yachting, where he is pursuing a Base Management role to help shape seamless sailing education experiences.
Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I attended the powerboat level 2 course, the trainer was an extraordinary person, calm and who knows how to explain and teach you quickly. I highly recommend them, I will personally contact them for future courses.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I chose Seven Seas to complete our Day skipper practical course and we are so happy that we did. The company was a pleasure to communicate with pre-course, and the company were very responsive by email, and even provided a whatsapp if we had any urgent questions. We also had the chance to chat, and have the process explained via video chat, as well as have all of our questions answered. Before our trip, Seven Seas organised our theory course with the course provider, which all went smoothly. Once we arrived in Athens we were welcomed personally by the office staff we had been talking with, and were shown our cabin in the boat, which was well stocked and clean and all the sailingand safety equipment were grrat quality. The best part of the whole week was our instructor, Haris. He was a experienced sailor, and a fantasic teacher. The way he would take his time to explain everything clearly so that we could understand meant that we learnt so so much every single day. He took the time for all of us to practise our new skills so that we could properly learn. I cannot propely describe how lucky I felt to have such a great instructor, he really did everything possible to make our time enjoyable, but to also make us the best possible sailors. We also loved the itenary as it would give us some time each afternoon/evening to check out the island and we were always given multiple great recommendedations for food and drink, and all the islands that we stayed on felt like authentic Greek Islands, I cannot wait to go back and will definetly be using Seven Seas again for our next Sailing Adventure.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
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