YOUR SAILING SCHOOL
We promote respect, equality and sustainability in the sailing world
At the heart of Geneva, our school makes sailing accessible to a wide audience. We aim to share our passion for sailing in a professional and reassuring environment for all levels. The diversity of activities offered and the variety of boats in our fleet allow you to discover many aspects of sailing.
Our values
-
Inclusiveness
Paying special attention to gender balance in our teaching approach, especially through weekly courses with female crews. Give access to sailing to a public that would not otherwise have the opportunity to take part in sailing courses, via our Anyone Can Sail association.
-
Environmental care
Making respect for the environment, preservation of the lake and raising awareness about its ecosystem our priorities, and spreading the word among students, both children and adults. This year, our registration within the Diagnostic-Action 2023 program confirms our commitment towards a more sustainable way of life.
-
Local culture
Collaborate directly with other associations and social structures, and take action to maintain the Geneva tradition of sailing on the lake.
-
Self-confidence
Using a teaching method that aims at supporting our students to discover their resources and abilities, and gain self-confidence and assertiveness along with learning how to sail.
Our crew
Alice
Founder - Sailing Instructor
English, French, Spanish & Portuguese
Since I was very young, sailing has been part of my life — a passion passed down from my father. It led me to spend several years offshore, sailing in the Caribbean Sea. I have been a sailing instructor for 20 years, and I created this school to share that sense of freedom and to make sailing accessible in Geneva, my hometown.
If you need any information, would like to book lessons, or organize an outing on the lake, please do not hesitate to contact us. I will be happy to answer your questions.
Languages spoken : English, French, Spanish & Portuguese
Santiago & Alegria
Founder - Fleet Safety & Technical Managers
Hi, I’m Santiago. I became a skipper in the Caribbean Sea. I then took part in the creation of the school, and today I use my experience to support the team and ensure a reliable, well-functioning, and high-quality fleet for our trainees. I also oversee safety during lessons, so that everyone can learn and progress in the best possible conditions.
You will probably see me around the school pontoons with Alegria. We are often nearby, always ready to lend a hand if needed.
Languages spoken: French & Spanish
Coraje et Tetua
Founders of the School
Hi, we’re Coraje and Tetua!
We are part of the school’s founding members, and we have been there since the very first nautical miles. From the Caribbean to Lake Geneva, we have crossed oceans, faced a few storms, and shared every step of this adventure.
Today, we are proud to be part of this crew and of this school, whose mission is to make sailing accessible to everyone… and even to animals!
We look forward to seeing you on board — see you very soon on Lake Geneva!
Silvia
Administration Assistant
Having grown up in Geneva with an australian mum and an italian dad, I have always being curious about travel and exploring the world. At first, I was passionnate about the mountains but the mindset similarities between the mountains and sailing led me here.
After having travelled for 7 months, Geneva did seem like the perfect place to build my life but I needed, like when travelling, to keep meeting new people and learning every day so working on the organisational aspects of this school is the perfect deal.
If you would like to take a lesson or have any specific request, I will be glad to help you out!
Languages spoken : English, French, German & Italian
Victoria
Sailing Instructor
Hi, my name is Victoria. I am an actress, and I joined the Geneva Sailing School team in 2025.
When I am on stage, time seems to flow differently, and it is a bit the same when I am sailing. Being on the water means living fully in the present, and it may sound a little cliché, but those are the moments when I truly feel free.
I look forward to sharing my knowledge and enthusiasm with you!
Languages spoken : English & French
Layla
Sailing instructor
I am a tattoo artist in the winter and a sailing instructor in the summer! I love nature, travel, adventure, and animals.
Passionate about sailing both on the lake and at sea, I guide you with kindness and a clear teaching approach in discovering and enjoying sailing.
I look forward to sharing this passion with you in a calm and cheerful atmosphere, so that you too can become captains and set off on your own adventures!
Languages spoken : English & French
Tamara
Sailing instructor
“Hoist the staysail’s inner forestay tight.” These words marked my first steps on the deck of a sailboat and my entry into a world often seen as technical and inaccessible. Having discovered sailing by chance on the North Sea, I have since been committed to passing on this learning experience with enthusiasm.
I look forward to supporting you in your training and your sailing on Lake Geneva. So do not hesitate: there is a place in sailing for everyone!
Languages spoken : English & French
Christophe
Sailing instructor
I divide my seasons between Lake Geneva, the sea, and the mountains. Depending on the time of year, I work as a sailor and a restaurateur. I also enjoy skiing, playing guitar, and hiking. I spend my summers on the water, between the sailing school and a foundation with which I sail alongside young people recovering from cancer. I particularly value the principles of GSS: enjoyment, pushing oneself, respect, and humility.
I look forward to passing on the sailing bug to you — most of my students have caught it… why not you?
Languages spoken : English & French
Tina
Sailing instructor
Hi, I’m Tina,
engraver, designer, tattoo artist… and whenever I can, I head straight for a boat!
I fell in love with sailing during an artist residency on the Pacific, and since then, I just cannot stay away from the water.
I teach sailing with a lot of joy and no pressure. I look forward to sharing these moments with you!
Languages spoken : English & French
Manon
Sailing instructor
Thought for 4s
Having been surrounded by sailing enthusiasts from a very young age, I have always been close to the nautical world. As a child, I sailed around the lake on the family boat; as a teenager, I joined my friends; then, as a young adult, I met up several times with Alice, the founder of GSS, on board her boat in the Caribbean. After a career change, I recently decided to train as a sailing instructor. I take great pleasure in passing on this sport, which combines teamwork and immersion in nature, right in the heart of the city.
I look forward to introducing you to sailing!
Languages spoken : English & French
Sammy
Sailing instructor
Bitten late by the sailing bug,
I discovered an endless world that has allowed me to grow and to appreciate things we no longer take the time to notice.
Now living by the lake, I was lucky enough to cross paths with GSS, which revealed a second passion to me: being able to share and pass things on in a kind and supportive environment.
For me, sailing is all about pleasure, and I think it could easily get under your skin too, just as it did for me.
Languages spoken : English & French
Alison
Sailing instructor
As a trained educator, teaching is part of my everyday life, and I enjoy sharing knowledge with both adults and younger learners.
For the past few years, sailing has brought me so much: a taste for adventure, team spirit, and a unique connection with nature. It therefore felt completely natural to bring these two worlds together.
On the water, I guide you step by step so that you can discover the basics, gain confidence and independence, and above all enjoy sailing.
Languages spoken : English & French
Elodie
Sailing instructor
Life in the open air, travelling from place to place, and human adventure led me offshore a few years ago. After a childhood spent in the mountains, I discovered the world of sailing on Lake Geneva, never imagining that, with time on the water, I would eventually find myself crossing oceans. Trained as an anthropologist, I learned sailing with Les Glénans, then went on to support young people during major crossings aboard a traditional tall ship, working as a social educator.
For me, sailing is a unique space for self-discovery, a field of endless learning, rich in sensations.
I look forward to sailing with you!
Languages spoken : English & French
Sophia
Sailing instructor
I am a midwife and the mother of four children. I am also passionate about all kinds of sports, including running, trail running, cycling, and many others.
I discovered sailing as a teenager during an unforgettable journey in the Mediterranean. A few years ago, I decided to get my lake licence and then my sea licence, so that nothing would hold me back from pursuing my desire for travel and adventure.
Above all, I am very happy to now be able to share and teach this activity in line with each person’s wishes and goals.
Languages spoken : English & French
Marion
Sailing instructor
After my studies in anthropology, I discovered the sea and began sailing extensively across the oceans. Deeply attached to human relationships and sharing, I also became involved in socio-educational projects aboard sailboats. In 2022, the desire to pass on this passion led me to train in Brittany and become a sailing instructor.
Between two offshore adventures, I remain very attached to Lake Geneva, where I grew up, and I am already looking forward to joining you on board the Geneva Sailing School boats.
Come on, come and tack with me!
Languages spoken : English & French
Stan
Sailing instructor
Sailing is a story that began in Brittany, where I first stepped aboard family boats as a child. Since then, it has accompanied me everywhere: on Lake Geneva, at sea, and even along the African coastline.
I hold both sailing and motorboat licenses, serve as a rescue volunteer with the Geneva Lifesaving Society, and am a member of its committee. Whether on the water for safety or pleasure, I always navigate with care and responsibility.
For me, teaching sailing is about passing on something essential: the ability to read the water, trust your instincts, and develop confidence and independence in a calm and safe environment. I look forward to welcoming you aboard on Lake Geneva!
Languages spoken: English & French
Niccoló
Sailing instructor
Let’s set sail together and discover the endless world of navigation. Whatever your goal may be, I will help you learn to listen to the elements and chart a course toward your destination.
What fascinates me most about sailing is the balance between seamanship skills and the sailor’s mindset—where technical knowledge meets genuine human values such as respect, humility, and kindness.
While I look forward to meeting you on board, I’ll leave you with the story of a captain caught in a storm. With every gust of wind, he tells himself, “So far, so good... so far, so good.” But in sailing, what matters isn’t the fall—it’s the ris!*
*A play on words: in French, la chute means “the fall,” while le ris refers to reefing a sail to reduce its area in strong winds.
Languages spoken : Italian, English & French
Valentin
Sailing instructor
I discovered sailing in Normandy at a very young age, surrounded by ocean winds and sea spray. Since then, it has remained a lifelong passion. I have been a sailing instructor for over three years, leading nautical activities both at sea and on the lake. I am also a leader with a sea scout group, where I enjoy guiding young sailors through their first adventures on the water.
What drives me is sharing this passion with enthusiasm and a strong educational approach: watching beginners experience the excitement of their first sail, helping crews build confidence, and sharing the unique sense of freedom that sailing provides. Whether you are here to discover sailing or to improve your skills, I will welcome you at your own pace, in a friendly atmosphere and with safety always in mind.
Languages spoken : English & French
Viktor
Sailing instructor
Passionate about sports, especially water sports, I am driven by the unique feelings of freedom, movement, and connection with nature that they provide.
I enjoy sharing this passion through sailing instruction that is fun, progressive, and reassuring, tailored to each person's level and goals.
Whether you are discovering sailing for the first time or looking to improve your skills, I will guide you step by step, at your own pace, helping you develop confidence and independence on the water.
My goal is to help you progress in a safe environment while making the most of every moment spent sailing on the lake.
Languages spoken : English & French
Victor
Sailing instructor
Originally from Brittany, I learned to sail from a very young age, navigating strong currents and rocky coastlines aboard a variety of boats.
Passionate about the open sea, I later had the opportunity, while studying in Geneva, to discover the joys of freshwater sailing and the beauty of Lake Geneva.
I look forward to welcoming you on board and sharing my experience, knowledge, and advice in a warm, friendly, and supportive atmosphere.
Languages spoken : English & French
Clément
Sailing instructor
I am passionate about board sports, both on the water and on the snow. I love those sensations of freedom and movement, and I enjoy sharing them.
I support you in learning to sail in a fun and reassuring way, adapting to your level and your goals.
Whether you are coming for a first introduction or to improve, I guide you step by step, at your own pace, so that you can become more independent while enjoying yourself safely on the lake.
Languages spoken : English & French
The school's boats
The Beneteau First Class 7.50
A modern and dynamic sailboat designed for crewed sailing. Its large cockpit offers a pleasant space. With its performance and the sensations it provides, it is a perfect boat for fans of sport sailing. Capacity 6 people.
The Surprise
A production boat of 7m65 very popular on Lake Geneva, it offers a good compromise between size, speed and comfort. Used for pleasure and regatta, it is the real Swiss Army knife of Lake Geneva. Capacity 6 people.
The Beneteau First Class 8
An 8m sailboat with a sporty cruising vocation, suitable for all uses. Combining comfort and dynamism, its high performance gives it the necessary attraction for the Lemanic airs. Capacity 6 people.
Press review
In its April 26th 2022 publication, under the Nouvelle vague section, the Tribune de Genève highlights the goals and achievements of Alice, Alyzée, Geneva Sailing School & Anyone Can Sail.
In its May 27th 2021 publication, la Tribune de Genève covers, during an onboard interview, one of Alice’s, Geneva Sailing School and Anyone Can Sail main goals : to promote and develop sailing among women.
