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Our Team
Learn about each of our wonderful staff below -
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Terry Wise, Principal
Terry founded Pacific Sailing School in 1977 and continues to play an active role as Principal, tender driver, offshore cook and wine connoisseur. Born in Tamworth, NSW and brought up on the land, he got the sailing bug at The Southport School TSS. Terry represented the Army in sailing at National level, and completed his first Hobart at 17 years old. At 23, he joined a French team breaking two world records crossing the Atlantic. He then spent several years skippering yachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Terry has led over 70 sailing holidays
worldwide.
Other Boating Roles
Past President J24 Association of NSW
Director Boating Industry Association of NSW
Chairman Sailing Industry Association of NSW
Terry is married with two daughters.
Elizabeth 20y, Skipper Cadet dinghy in two National Championships, crewed two J24 Nationals and a J24 World Championship, 2007 Nth Bondi Junior Ironwoman, Board Champion.
Sarah 16y, 2007 Level 8 National Champion Gymnast. 2010 Silver teams Nationals. Inducted into St Catherines Hall of Fame by Yvonne Gollagong.
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James Swan has come to PSS with an enthusiastic and comprehensive sporting background. Having represented NSW at a Sabot dinghy National level from Vaucluse 12ft Amateur Sailing Club and sailing various other classes, James has also gone on to play representative Rugby, Golf, Soccer and has a real interest in all sports and is always keen for a chat on any of the above topics. He has been a local boy his whole life, going to Shore School in North Sydney and living in the Eastern Suburbs, he is enjoying his new opportunity at PSS, helping people meet and make friends on the amazing Sydney Harbour. |
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Carla Baker
Warm and friendly Carla. Originally from UK , now in Australia for about 10 years.
Carla comes from the fitness Industry and has threatened to introduce warms ups and stretching before sailing.
Carla is learning to sail and is one of Terry's friendly Sailing Advisors and works Sunday to Tuesday
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Paula Shires
Since taking lessons in 1999, Paula has worked part time for PSS in the office, and often is tender driving.
Paula has crewed on many boats from J24's to 50 footers, skippered in Ladies Days and currently cruises more often than racing.
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Sean Kirkjian
With a dinghy background, Sean is the youngest skipper ever in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Sean was the winner of three J24 National Championships.
Racing Rules Judge
Simply an all round nice guy, great teacher & great sailor.
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Fabian Hupfauf
Working in the Design industry, Fabian is an ex dingy Champion, and a veteran of the last 7 years of the famous Gosford weekend.
One of our top skippers, Fabian can be found teaching on our J24's up to Race Course level.
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Mario Lavesque
Originally from Canada, moved to Australia in 2005, Mario crewed and skippered vessels in Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Florida Keys, San Francisco Bay, and Thailand.
Mario is a US Coast Guard Masters Captain, a Yachting Australia Inshore Instructor, a US Sailing Bareboat Cruising Instructor and a NAUI Dive Master. He adapts to his students' needs and makes sure everyone is having a great time, while keeping it safe.
When Mario is not on the water, he's playing on Oracle financial applications and databases for Red Rock Consulting." |
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Greg Dixon
Greg is an Exercise Physiologist with a clear understanding of the body and the sport of sailing. He sails every day and is currently campaigning in World 18 ft skiffs.
Greg's background includes being in the World 18 ft world's top ranked Rookie team, NSW State 14' Champion, World Championship 3rd crewing for Olympian Jenny Danks, Rookie of the year and Australian VJ Champion.
Look for CST and say Hi to Greg next time your on the Harbour
That Greg at the back going really fast...
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Tony Dillon
RYA YA Instructor & Saftey and Sea Survival
Keelboat Instructor Assessor & Examine. Often seen in one of our classrooms |
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Hugh Ferrar
Hugh is a YA Yachtmaster and has messed about in boats for a long time, did a Hobart and 3 world championships.
From the IT industry, has a degree in Mathematics and Physics and has sailed in various classes and campaigned on the famous Americas Cup boat, Gretal II.
Hugh is low key and if your lucky to sail on his boat relax and enjoy his patience and incredible knowledge
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Gunnar Tuisk
Owner of our mighty Cadenza, Gunnar is a RYA Yachtmaster Instructor. A retired senior public servant, Gunnar is often seen steering Cadenza with our students on board in harbour races year round.
He patiently teaches navigation on our Offshore Crew and Coastal skipper courses.
When he's not teaching sailing, Gunnar is skippering yachts around the waters of Australia, looking for Slap Happy, the Humpback Whale that PSS sponsors.
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Owen Thomas
Owen is PBO of a beautiful 50 year old timber sloop and has over 25,000 offshore miles to his credit.
Owen is Master marina - sail, and a Yachtmaster Instructor. Owen's daughter Celia also taught for PSS before taking time off to make Owen a Grandfather, and since retiring after 30 years as a specialist anaethetist, he is enjoying life as a sailing instructor for PSS.
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John Gardiner
Gardo is an RYA Yachtmaster and our harbour Chief Instructor and likes to be referred to as Mr Gardiner! But we call him Gardo.
Or John is good. Gardo has an extensive sailing background and has competed in most races here in Australia and overseas and has taught over 1000 Sydney Hobart Owners, Skippers and crews their YA Safety & Sea Survival course.
Gardo is the face on the cover of YA's Introductory Keel Boat book, and for a VB (or 2) will autograph your copy.
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Ian Mason
Ian is a school teacher by trade.
He is a RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Instructor, and alongside teaching on our J24's and bigger boats during race season.
He can also be found in the classroom with our Keelboat Crew and Helm theory and social evenings or teaching our RYA shorebased Basic Navigation & Safety , Day Skipper or Coastal Skipper Yachtmaster theory courses.
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Rob Landis
In the early days Rob kept PSS open while Terry sailed around the Greek Islands. Now it is Rob's turn, as he now spends 6 months of the year sailing the 70' yacht Dreamtime in our winter months around Ios and Hydra having the occasional drop of Retzina.
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Peter Bruen
Peter has over 40, 000 miles offshore in the last 5 years and teaches Radio courses alongside sailing lessons and race crews on bigger boats.
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Ask a question or reserve your place by:
Emailing
or call us during business hours, 7 days on 02 9326 2399
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Hugh Ferrier
Hugh is a YA Yachtmaster and has messed about in boats for a long time, did a Hobart and 3 world championships.
From the IT industry, has a degree in Mathematics and Physics and has sailed in various classes and campaigned on the famous Americas Cup boat, Gretal II.
Hugh is low key and if your lucky to sail on his boat relax and enjoy his patience
Chris Wise
In his last life a commercial pilot, (still
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