An interview with Christoffel van Hees, the RS Venture Class Manager

June 28, 2022

We sat down with new RS Venture Connect Class Manager Christoffel van Hees to find out a little bit more about his background and why he’s passionate about para sailing.

Can you tell us about yourself and your sailing background?

I am Christoffel van Hees, born in 1958 in Dordrecht (The Netherlands). While I was studying Traffic Engineering, I started working as a sailing instructor at a sailing school in Friesland, up in the North. My family had a small polyester Schakel dinghy boat which we sailed on the Hollands Diep in the Southwest. From a young age, I developed myself to be a regatta sailor in the Randmeer class (a 3-person keelboat with trapeze and spinnaker) and after doing the Dutch Federation Trainer-Coach Education, I became a Regatta Youth Coach. Some of the classes I coached were international, like the Cadet Class, 420/470 class but also some Lechner Windsurfing at Olympic level. I had the honour of being the coach and team leader at the Youth Worlds for The Netherlands. Lately, I’ve been more involved in sailing instructor and coach development and training programs. More recently, I started working in the yachting business instructing, completing deliveries, servicing and maintenance. Alongside this, I support World Sailing as a nominated expert in Technical Courses for Coaches and the Emerging Nations Programme.

What are your most significant personal achievements?

I am four times Dutch National Champion in the Randmeer class and am lucky to now coach many medal winning sailors. I am currently starting development programs in Youth Training (Youth Squad, training camps, school projects) and also Parasailing programs.

What’s your role with the RS Venture activity and class?

I am the RS Venture Class Manager, so I co-ordinate and maintain the fleet. I focus on promoting, providing and supporting training for regattas in the hope to continue building an international, competitive class while increasing participation.

What’s coming up in for the RS Venture?

We’re having the World Sailing Para Youth Worlds 2022 at The Braassemermeer from in 2023. In preparation for these events we have planned the RS Venture regattas in The Netherlands during the Allianz Regatta/Dutch Water Week in 2022 and 2023.

What’s opportunities are there to get involved with the RS Venture Class?

We will have pairs of 2 boats located before several regatta venues where people can try-out or train in the boats. Charter-boats are available during the events for anyone who wants to participate! Find out more details here.