We on the Brava are people who like sporty sailing. But sociability and a nice atmosphere on board is what we find most important.
The idea of sailing with guests was born only after buying the boat... We took to the water with friends and acquaintances, who were very impressed. So why deprive other people of this experience and adventure? Well there we are! We speak English by the way...
Sailed numerous sailing yachts from the age of three. His first racing experience was on Dirk Nauta's Prodent. He then sailed with his family for many years on the former Admiral's Cupper Gunda, ex. Marionette VII. He then sailed preparations for the 1985 Whitbread race with Philips Innovator, including the S.O.R.C. series and two Atlantic crossings. His highlight was completing the Whitbread Round The World Race in '89-'90 as sailmaker and foredecker on Dirk Nauta's Equity & Law II. During the ten years that followed, Edwin sailed many international races with his wife Katrin. The biggest boat was a Grand Mistral 80 owned by Roy Heiner during the 1997 Round Europe Race. As a yacht broker, he sold used and new sailing yachts (Dehler) from 2004. In 2023, the Brava was purchased, driven by emotion and passion. Brava was on the front of his scrapbook as a favourite boat in his childhood... Edwin seems to enjoy offering (young) people the opportunity to sail along on an original IOR racer and gain experience. Edwin skippers the Brava.
Katrin has loved sports sailing all her life. She also sails from birth and started in open boats such as the Optimist, 420, 470 and today still on the water with her Laser. Like Edwin, she was also in the S'Energy Racing Syndicate led by Olympic sailor Roy Heiner on the yellow IMX 38 and Mumm 36. For ten years she also competed on the racing circuit at Messink Racing, among others, on various sailing yachts such as the First 40.7, Grand Soleil 40R, J44 and the V-60 Brunel. These include W.Ks, E.Ks, Kieler Woche, Cowes Weeks, Fastnet Races etc. etc. On the Brunel, she sailed across the Atlantic and participated in the infamous Bermuda Race with a J-44. Katrin is a dentist in daily life and co-initiator of this Brava project. She also knows the boat through and through and sails on the trips as much as possible.
Daughter of Edwin and Katrin is actually the instigator of this Brava project. Tinka studies educational sciences and also works as a sailmaker. She sails regularly in her Laser and is also a crew member on several racing yachts. She was a season first mate on the famous Whitbread Racer King's Legend (Swan 65). She sailed on Volvo 60s, participated in the Fastnet race and Middle Sea race, among others. In 2023, Tinka was on Team Aqua and sailed the international RC-44 series along at a very high level. In spring 2024, she sailed across the Atlantic with a women's team on a Class-40 race boat. Tinka deals with the organisation of guest-sailing on the Brava and goes along as much as possible. Because the combination of dealing with new people on board and sailing is on her heart.
Ivar (aged 16) is our team's youth instructor. He has done various training courses and diplomas to this end. Ivar teaches mainly children and novice sailors on the Paterswoldsemeer and Zuidlaardermeer from the sailing school. He enjoys dealing with children and with a lot of patience and passion, he knows how to teach them the basic principles of sailing. Ivar also knows his way around big yachts and assists Edwin on the Brava. He is very enthusiastic about sailing with larger groups of people on board and will be on board as much as possible when we go out on the water with groups of young people.
Mail: edwin@24sailing.nl
Phone Mob. +31651475322