In this blog series, we shine a light on the skippers who are going to be your captain in Greece. It was so tough choosing between al the amazing applications we received. We are proud to have these driven and beautiful eco adventure people in the network ready to take the lead. After some tough decision making with an overwhelming amount of skipper applications, it’s decided. We selected a diverse captain team to support, share and sprinkle ocean magic into your life in Greece.
They shine and stand out because of their commitment to ocean nomads, ocean conservation, embodying the ocean nomads values and won’t settle for anything less than bring you the best sailing experience ever.
Announcing the Skippers for our Greece gathering! Meet Thomas aka Tomaatje
Look who’s back! 🙂
Announcing the Skippers for Greece 2024!
We are super proud and stoked to have Thomas van Thiel Tomaatje again as skipper in our upcoming gathering in Greece this October. With Ocean Nomads since the very beginning, a wild winter in his logbook and we are fortunate to have him with us, anytime but also in Greece!
He’s a legend to learn from, born and raised sailor, Captain & Owner of SV Windfall, ocean activist, and now working full ON to get his boat ready for the next adventure. Many Ocean Nomads have already sailed with him and many more will sail so, in Greece and/or on future adventures on his SV Windfall. 
“For me sailing is everything. It’s freedom in the purest of its word. Your compass is 360 degrees and you can go wherever the wind blows, working with the elements to navigate over this wild en tremendous blue dessert. You will get what you get and it comes how it comes. Over there, the here and now the only thing that counts and when you accept that you find freedom. At least I do. For me, that’s the most beautiful thing there is.” – Thomas
My Name is Thomas – ocean lover – who could sail almost earlier then walk. I have a big love and hunger for new adventures, traveling, nature, film, books, and chess or whatever game there is on the boat available.
Thomas! What’s your story?
I started sailing in and around the lakes of my home town Almere in the Netherlands. When I got older I started working for Amorgos, a sailing school for yachts where I sailed a lot in and around the dutch waters and throughout the Croatian islands. In 2014, I did my first Atlantic crossing and opened my eyes for all the plastic pollution by seeing a plastic bottle 10 days away from the nearest land. Therefore I started By the Ocean we Unite when I came back home. By the Ocean we Unite is an organisation that spreads education and awareness trough organising sailing research expeditions on microplastics in the sea.
We do a lot more so check out ByTheOceanWeUnite. Feel free to send me a message or ask me on the boat in Croatia. Last year I bought my beautiful 53ft steel ketch, Windfall, with whom I will leave for a circumnavigation to begin spring next year.
Why are you excited about joining the Ocean Nomads flotilla?
Connecting with each other on a boat is one of the big powers from sailing. Together with the crew, you make your own small community on the water with the boat and as our home, hopping from island to island. All together with all the small communities on all the other boats, we will be a moving village together. These are the ingredients of an awesome week where you make friends for a lifetime sharing the same experience. We combine this with aiming to keep our footprint as low as it can be and increasing our impact by learning and discussing the challenges and solutions the ocean is facing, I hope to find and share a lot of inspiration and good energy so together we will be the change.
Why are you passionate about sailing?
For me sailing is everything. It’s freedom in the purest of its word. Your compass is 360 degrees and you can go wherever the wind blows, working with the elements to navigate over this wild en tremendous blue dessert. You will get what you get and it comes how it comes. Over there, the here and now the only thing that counts and when you accept that you find freedom. At least I do. For me, that’s the most beautiful thing there is.
What’s your wildest ocean-related dream that you would love to experience in your lifetime?
Drop Anker in Polynesia!
Come and meet Thomas and his excitement about sailing and drive for ocean conservation at the next Ocean Nomads Flotilla in Croatia.
Huge thanks to all of you who are on the crewlist for Greece already! We’re getting closer to completion and super look forward to connect many of you at sea, and to the sea:)
We invite you to join the next Ocean Nomads gathering at sea!
Learn More here and apply ASAP to secure a spot.
SEA you in Greece?
Photo above: SV Windfall. Thomas’ vessel
“Thomaatje is the one and only who has inspired me and so many others to get a boat, everything I know I’ve learned from him and he’s one of the best sailors and teachers I know ~ He has the knowledge and experience but most important he’s kind and patient which makes him an amazing captain.” – Lovisa
“I so agree with Lovisa Oosterhof! Without Tomaatje his boat Windfall and the Ocean Nomads trip I would never have gotten into boating.. Learned so much from this legend!” – Nadiem
SEA you in Greece?
We only have a few spots left for the ocean nomads sailing flotilla in Greece!
October 12-22, 2024
11 Days / 10 Nights
4 vessels
Route: One Way- Lefkada to Athens, Greece
Active Adventure Sailing Trip + Healthy Eco Vibes & Values
We all share and care for the Ocean Nomads ‘slow sailing’ philosophy. The focus is on simplicity, health, local food/community connection, active, adventure and sustainability mindset and collaboration.
Ocean Nomads is a tribe of young… at heart 😉 adventurous ocean lovers who want an active outdoor lifestyle. We will share projects on mindful, self-sufficient, positive-impact ways to live and travel sustainably at sea for any age and budget. This is an action-adventure where everyone participates in creating the vibe and value of a memorable 10 days at sea.
✨We have a smoke and alcohol-free onboard policy for maximum superpowers and nature connection. 🧜♀️
EXPLORE, CONNECT & MAKE IMPACT
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