The Crew
Simon Dickins - Principal
Simon Dickins has been an avid sailor since the age of 12. Starting out in cadet dinghies, he has sailed and raced skiffs, catamarans and keelboats. He holds both a Republic of Vanuatu and a Victorian Coxswains certificate, an Australian Radio Operators Licence and is L11 First-aid qualified.
Simon possesses the qualifications, experience, and communication skills to give you a first-class mentoring service.
Read Simon's Sailing CV .
Ash Bartle
Ash Bartle is a life-long windsurfer, skiff sailor, and, for the last 10 years, ocean racer. Living on the Mornington Peninsula, Ash has raced in a variety of off-the-beach boats, including Sabots (Club Champion), Moths, Lasers, Javelins, etc. He has competed successfully at club, state, and national level. He currently crews on a Magic 25 out of RYCV.
Ash did his first Sydney-Hobart in 1999, and again last year. He has also done six Melbourne to Hobarts, plus many cross-Bass Strait races and a number of east coast deliveries. He is a Watch Captain on a Radford 45.
Gary Sutton
Gary Sutton has been a professional mariner all his working life. He holds a Master IV and a Second mate Class I ticket. He also holds qualifications in GMDSS technology, Shipboard Fire Control, helicopter landing and underwater escape, and Safety and Survival at Sea.
Gary has worked in fishing, offshore towing, and the local and
overseas container trade. He is now a Tug Master at the Port of Melbourne.